Wigan: 'from pub manager to priest in blink of an eye'

Newly-ordained Fr Paul Brady

Archbishop Patrick Kelly ordained Rev Paul Grady to the priesthood last Friday evening, 6 July, in front of a packed congregation at St Mary's church, Wigan.

From pub bar manager to priest in the 'blink of an eye' that's Paul's joyous story. A former pupil at St Mary and St John's Primary School, and St John Fisher High School, Wigan, Paul later attended St John Rigby Sixth Form College and studied at Liverpool Hope University leaving as a primary school teacher with a music specialism. He says of his call to the priesthood: "I felt there was something more I was called to do as I loved teaching and working with young people, something I continued through the Scouts and Lourdes Youth Pilgrimages."

After leaving university he started as a funeral organist in Wigan and soon was asked to help out in the office and with music in St Cuthbert's, Pemberton. He recalled: "This was a great time as I had many conversations with Father Simon Henry about a possible vocation and he was very supportive.

"I dragged my feet, however, when I was offered a new job as Bar Manager of a pub in
Wigan, which I had worked in, on and off, since being a glass collector at 16. I worked in this role for several years until finally making the leap and putting myself forward to be considered for seminary.'

Paul continued: "Being ordained at this time is really exciting, as the Church in our Diocese is in a period of renewal and change, considering how to bring Christ anew in to our communities with fewer priests."

He will be travelling to Lourdes as a Youth Chaplain later this month, and says: "This will be fantastic as I think it will be my 14th pilgrimage with the Diocese and my first as a Chaplain to the young people who are inspirational in their search for God in their lives."

He added: "Most of all I look forward to being with people wherever I am sent, in their joys and sorrows and being and encountering Christ in and with them."

Source: Archdiocese of Liverpool