Vocations Conversations Episode One

12 April 2008

The first Clifton Diocese ‘Vocation Conversations’ is now online.  Deacon Tom Dubois is the man in the chair.   Tom is a former student at the University of Bristol and spent time training at St John the Baptist in Trowbridge.  He now spends his weekends at St Peter’s in Gloucester gaining pastoral experience.  During the week he continues his studies at St John’s Seminary in Wonersh near Guildford.  

You can watch and download the video in the multimedia panel on the right.

This episode kicks-off our video series to mark Vocations Sunday (13 April).  The ‘Vocation Conversations’ features local young men who are training to become priests.  They are in conversation with Father Robert King, the Clifton Diocese Vocations Director.  

Vocations Sunday is celebrated by the Catholic Church throughout the world.  It is a day on which the Church prays specifically for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.  The Holy Father's message for Vocations Sunday is available from the Vatican’s website.

Two episodes are on their way; tomorrow and Monday.  Each conversation sees Father Robert talking with a student at a different stage of formation for the Clifton Diocese.  

Matt Anscombe from Swindon is the interviewee in the video released tomorrow. He was born in Bridgwater and is on placement in St George’s in Taunton from where he will experience a wide variety of parishes.    

Matt said, “We are a sacramental Church and need priests to preside at the sacraments.  It is essential for all the faithful to be proactive in prayer and encouragement so that the voice of God’s calling might be heard. I was delighted to share my story and would say to anyone out there considering a vocation to priesthood that they should ‘go for it’ and trust the Lord that all will work out for the best.”

Ollie Lowson’s video will be made available on Monday (14 April).  Ollie is a member of the parish of the Immaculate Conception in Stroud who studied at the University of Bristol.  He is in his first year of study at St John’s Seminary in Wonersh near Guildford.  He’s soon to begin a placement at St John the Baptist in Trowbridge to gain experience of parish ministry.  

Ollie said, “I feel it’s important to let people know what it’s like to be starting out on the journey towards priesthood, especially those who may be considering their own calling.  Being interviewed on as part of the ‘Vocation Conversations’ series gave me an opportunity to do that, and to do my part in encouraging people to apply for formation.”

The series was produced for the Clifton Diocese by top local studio, the Swindon-based Utopia Audiovisual.  Juan Jose Lopez oversaw the project.

News of positive media coverage of the ‘Vocation Conversations’ was reported yesterday. Listen out for radio interviews on Sunday morning and check your local newspaper for reports. 

How do I find out more information?
Ask your parish priest or contact our Vocations Director, Father Robert King who will be happy to answer any questions or to help explore a possible vocation to serve as a priest in the Clifton Diocese.   You can write to him at 103 Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1LL or call 0117 914 0003.

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