This weekend, the Diocese of Blackburn will celebrate the ordination of three new priests during a special service at St Bartholomew’s Church in Colne. The event is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Saturday, and will be led by the Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff. The ordinands are Rev Tony Howarth, who will serve in the benefice of Colne; Rev Kaarina Leong, assigned to the parish of Lancaster Christ Church; and Rev Cathy Malins, who will minister in the parish of Lower Darwen St James in conjunction with Over Darwen St James.
The ordination ceremony will feature a sermon by Rev Tim Evans, Honorary Priest at Lancaster Priory, who is also guiding the ordinands through a retreat at Whalley Abbey, the Diocesan Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer. Attendees will include notable figures such as the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Philip North, the Archdeacon of Lancaster, The Venerable David Picken, and the Rector of Colne, Rev Alex Oehring.
As the ordinands prepare for this significant milestone, the Diocese encourages the community to offer prayers for them. Bishop Jill expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming service, emphasizing the breadth of responsibilities that priests undertake within the Church. She stated, “Priests carry a wide range of responsibilities in the Church of God as messengers, stewards, teachers of the faith, ministers of the sacraments, and shepherds of the flock.”
The Bishop highlighted the profound nature of this calling, which includes guiding individuals through the challenges of life. She remarked, “Most movingly, in the ordination service they are called ‘to search for his children in the wilderness of this world’s temptations and to guide them through its confusions, that they may be saved through Christ for ever’.”
Bishop Jill also acknowledged the support provided to the ordinands by their families, friends, and training incumbents, including Rev Carol Backhouse and Rev Rebecca Roberts. “It has been a delight to follow the journeys of Kaarina, Cathy, and Tony as they have prepared for this moment,” she added.
To enhance accessibility, the ordination service will be livestreamed on YouTube, allowing those unable to attend in person to participate virtually. The Diocese encourages followers to engage with the event on social media by using the hashtag #NewRevs and their official handles.
This weekend’s ordination marks a significant moment not only for the ordinands but for the broader community, as these new priests step into their roles with the promise of service and dedication to their faith.
