The Priestly Ordination of John Livesley.

The font at St Peter's.

View down the nave.

Fr John and cake.

Bishop Martyn censes the altar with his new episcopal dalmatic on.

During the Litany of the Saints.

Fr Colin Dickson leading the litany.

During the Mass.

Our Lady.

The Sanctuary before the Mass begins.

The Lady Chapel Altar.

Looking towards the High Altar from the Lady Chapel.

The Shrine to Our Lady of Walsingham.

The Sacred Heart and the Blessed Sacrament Altar.

Saint Peter's Swinton played host last night to the Priestly Ordination of John Livesley, their Curate. Fr John has been there for his Diaconal year and now enters his second year of curacy. Saint Peters is the central Church of a Forward in Faith team ministry, taking in St Augustine's Pendlebury and All Saints Wardley, together they make up some of the finest churches in Manchester Diocese and it was a particular pleasure to see St Peter's not only packed, but looking sparklingly clean and bright as well. Fr Jeremy Sheehey, recently Principal of Saint Stephen's House in Oxford, is the team Rector and he welcomed Martyn Jarrett, Bishop of Beverley to ordain Fr John and celebrate the Mass. Fr Thomas Seville, a Priest member of the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield preached and the Archdeacon of Manchester was also in attendance, to fulfil his customary legal and pastoral duties. I think that I can say that a fine evening was had by all, not least Fr John and Naomi, who is fast gaining a reputation as one of Swinton's finest cooks.

Saturday was a day of buffets, which is something typical to Parish life all over the world. Once I had thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship of so many people after the ordination (including a number of Anglican Wanderers, so hello to you all!), it was time to go back to dear St Hilda's for the remainder of a Parish Party in Beth's house, the back of which is home to a number of wonderful gardens (not all hers, I hasten to say). The party was a great success, I am glad to say. Today I am preaching at the 11am High Mass, then some lunch before making my way to St Cuthbert's Darwen for the Priestly Ordination of Philip Knowles by the Bishop of Burnley, which will finish late, therefore I will post about that tomorrow. I hope you all enjoy the feast of SS Peter and Paul, I shall offer prayers for you all.