Latest news from our Diocese on vocations
CALLED:
WELCOME TO OUR
Vocations Newsletter
OCT 2025
Diocese celebrates ordination of two new priests.
A double celebration was in store for our diocese this autumn as we witnessed the
ordination of two new priests.
Hundreds of people from across the diocese and beyond gathered in St Luke’s Church in
Salford to celebrate the priestly ordination of Paul Chisnall and Theo Sharrock.
Bishop John welcomed Fr Paul and Fr Theo to the brotherhood of the priesthood,
thanking them for their generosity in giving themselves in service to our diocese.
During his homily, Bishop John reflected on today as just the very start of a journey; a
journey that would require continuous formation for our priests in an increasingly
secular world that is facing so many challenges.
Fr Paul will now continue his ministry at the parish of Our Lady of Hope in Salford,
while Fr Theo returns to the Parish of The Good Samaritan in Burnley to carry out his
service in the north of our diocese.
We wish Fr Paul and Fr Theo the very best as they embark on this blessed new chapter
and invite you to remember them in your prayers.
To read more about our two new priests and their call to ordained life, please visit
https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/vocations/priesthood/vocation-stories/.
Vocations Newsletter OCT 2025
vocations@dioceseofsalford.org.uk 0161 817 2226
Heavenly Father,
In the great love you have for your people,
We ask you to inspire men in our diocese
To respond to your call to love and to serve.
Mould their hearts, Lord,
After the Sacred Heart of Your Son,
So that they may grow in love and serve with joy.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
This summer, we celebrated the
ordination of Patrick Tifu to the
permanent diaconate in a vibrant
ceremony at St Patrick’s,
Collyhurst.
Deacon Patrick becomes the
seventh permanent deacon to
enter into active ministry in our
diocese, serving the people of
God through the three diaconal
pillars of charity, word, and
liturgy.
To find out more about Deacon
Patrick and his road to ministry,
please visit our website at
https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/
meet-our-permanent-deacons/
Welcome Deacon Patrick!
Update by Numbers
Men in our enquirers’ group at different
stages of exploring a possible vocation
to the priesthood.
Men currently in formation for the
priesthood.
Ordained permanent deacons in active
ministry in our diocese.
Men in training for the permanent
diaconate, with a further 4 exploring a
possible vocation.
Plus, each parish in our diocese has been asked
to celebrate at least one Mass a month for
vocations to our diocese. That’s more than 100
Masses a month and more than 1200 a year!
Exploring the Ministry of the Diaconate
To discover more about the day-to-day work of the
permanent diaconate in our diocese, we caught up
with our deacons to understand how the ministries
of liturgy, word, and charity are lived out in our
parishes. Head to our website to read more:
dioceseofsalford.org.uk/tag/diaconal-ministry
Diocesan Prayer for Vocations
One of the greatest ways we can support vocations
in our diocese is through regular prayer, and so we
invite you to join us as we pray:
Contact Us
If you would like to speak to a
member of our team regarding
a possible vocation to the
priesthood or permanent
diaconate, please get in touch:
vocations@dioceseofsalford.org.uk
0161 817 2226
Or find out more by visiting
dioceseofsalford.org.uk/faith/vocations/
