Since January, it has been an absolute privilege to be here in the 3 Churches, to be able to call this my home, and to be able to walk alongside you as I enter the last stages of preparation for priesthood.

As I make the last minute preparations for ordination, there still remains an important stage. On Sunday 9 July at 11am Mass at St Brigid’s, in the presence of the community I will make my Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith. This is required by the Church before ordination and the taking up of an office with the Church. It is a short, moving ceremony in which I declare publicly my own profession of faith, and promise fidelity to the Church.

After this, I will leave to make my pre-priesthood retreat at Caldey Island, before being ordained to the priesthood of at St David’s Cathedral, Cardiff on Saturday 22 July at 12 noon. Please consider this as my personal invitation to each one of you to attend the celebrations, and to share this special occasion with myself, my family, and the Archdiocese of Cardiff.

I will go to my home parish, Our Lady and St Patrick’s in Maesteg to celebrate my first Mass the following day. Canon Matthew has invited me to come and to celebrate Mass for the 3 Churches community soon after. This date, probably Friday 28 July, will be made available in the newsletter.

Deacon Daniel.