Our Parish Priest  -  Fr Tom Singleton

 

The priest is the leader of the Parish community. He has responsibility for the administration of the Sacraments, for the proclaiming of the Word of God and for the pastoral care of those who live within the Parish. 
 

Fr Tom was born in Wesham, and went to Junior Seminary at Underley Hall, near Kirkby Lonsdale in 1960. In 1967 until his ordination to the priesthood he attended Ushaw College near Durham.

As a deacon he spent a couple of months here in English Martyrs, but his first parish was Christ the King Blackpool, with Fr Harry Martindale, from 1973 until 1978, when he volunteered to join the St James Missionary Society for five years. He worked with them in Peru until 1983, returning to Christ the King for a further two years. Then he began a lengthy spell in Cumbria, starting as assistant priest in Sacred Heart Barrow, until he was asked by Bishop Brewer to set up the industrial chaplaincy in Vickers shipyard. This was a full-time posting, and lasted for three years. In 1990 he was appointed parish priest of St Mary’s Kells, Whitehaven, where he was until 1998. He returned to Barrow then, as Parish priest of St Columba’s church Walney Island, where he served until he came here to English Martyrs.

Fr Tom is a keen walker, having completed several long-distance paths, including John O Groats to Land’s End, and the pilgrimage way to Santiago de Compostella. He combines this with a great interest in photography. He also juggles (badly), which, he says, comes in handy when it comes to doing the accounts.

 

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