100 Days a Priest

Assuming I’ve finished and published this on time, and that you’re reading this on Monday 30th September 2024, then today I am 100 days a Priest. The last 100 days have gone by sooo fast, in fact I thought I had a bit more time before I even needed to think about writing this, let alone actually sit down and do it.

The weekend of my ordination and first mass was amazing! Bonkers but amazing! The Sunday morning in particular was better than I could ever have imagined. It’s true what they say - when you’re doing something you love and are meant to be doing the nerves are enabling more than disabling. I think this photo probably sums up the emotion of the moment. I remember someone commenting after that they weren’t sure what they liked more, the balloon halo or the absolute joy on my face. And it is joy. Not relief that I’d made it to the end of the service!! I am grateful to all those who made the day possible, and all the family and friends who made the journey to be there supporting me. I truly could not have done it without them.

What followed that weekend was, well… I think it’s safe to say I faced every possible chlallenge. With my Training Incumbent going down with shingles I found myself flying solo. A week after I was able to, I covered a wedding, 3 services and 2 baptisms. It was well and truly a baptism of fire. Taking my first wedding and baptisms and having to preside at the Eucharist in 3 separate services with no support… I’d not even had my BCP training yet!! That weekend was a whirlwind, and proved that I am capable of anything. You wouldn’t have planned it, but in its own way it was probably the best thing for me. I had no choice but to just get on with it. Looking back on that weekend, I am extremely grateful for my diaconal year. My formation during that time meant I was Deacon at every service on a Sunday morning. And whilst I am enjoying those Sunday’s when I don’t have to be up for the 8am and then continue on to do the 9.30am and 11.15am, I am so thankful that I had been doing that for the past year. It meant that, although I’d not presided at those services before, I’d seen them happen - a lot!! All I needed to do was tap into that observational part of my memory and do it myself. Simple! The couple got married, Communion was received, and 2 babies were baptised - so I’ll say it was a success.

As always the summer is a mixture of busyness and space. Regular clubs and groups stop, but other holiday clubs start. I’m sure I have said before that I love working with younger people, its a part of ministry that I am passionate about. So our Make Lunch Club, and the week of Lighthouse are highlights to my summer. Though Lighthouse during a heatwave is an experience I am hoping not to repeat!!

The last 100 days have been a challenge, there have been immense highs, but also some difficult and challenging lows. But I’ve never been surer about where I was supposed to be or what I am supposed to be doing.

I am called to be a Priest.