Dear Parishioners,

First may I say how nice it is to be here in the parish of Our Lady of the Valley, and how welcoming and friendly everyone has been. Fr John has asked me to write a little bit about myself for the newsletter. For the last two and a half years I have been working in the parishes of Bromley Cross, Harwood and Tonge Moor in Bolton, where I was appointed in September 2012 after being ordained to the Priesthood in July 2012 and completing my training at the Venerable English College, Rome.
Born in Blackley, Manchester, I was educated in Fr John’s old parish at Mount Carmel RC Primary School, St Matthew’s RC Secondary school and then Xaverian RC Sixth Form College before going to Salford University where I studied for an honours degree in Applied Physics with Electronics, as well as a postgraduate Masters degree. Following this I trained for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the Victoria University, Manchester, after which I entered the teaching profession at the secondary level.
After teaching for two years, I entered training for the priesthood for the Salford diocese and was sent to the English College, Rome. Here I studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas where gaining a Bachelors honours degree in Sacred Theology (STB).
After six years, I left formation and returned to the diocese to continue my teaching career and taught in the diocese at the secondary level for another eight years. In 2010 I returned to the English College Rome to complete my training for the priesthood including post graduate studies in Theology, gaining the degree of Licence in Spiritual Theology (STL).
I returned to the diocese in July 2012 to be ordained at St John’s Cathedral, Salford and take up my appointment at St John’s, Bromley Cross, and in April this year was given my new appointment here at Our Lady of the Valley. I am also currently involved in helping to organise the Catechesis for the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes as well as being part of the diocesan vocations team and have recently joined the diocesan pastoral team for World Youth Day in 2016.
I look forward over the coming months to getting to know you all as I walk with you in our journey of faith.

Fr Joe