The Catholic Parish of
Saint John Henry Newman
Covering most of East Leeds
An introduction to Fr. Matthew
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In July of this year I celebrated the eleventh anniversary of my ordination to the Sacred Priesthood; as often happens around the time of anniversaries, I reflected on what paths the Lord has called me to follow Him along during these happy and blessed years.
After completing a license in Sacred Liturgy, at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome, Italy, Bishop Roche appointed me, in 2006, to the parish of St. Austin in Wakefield (later this would become the parish of St. Martin de Porres). Seven years had passed since I went to seminary and I was now back in West Yorkshire. Having grown up and gone to school in Huddersfield, it was a joy to be able to visit my family again at regular intervals.
Four happy and fulfilling years quickly passed. In 2010 I was appointed to the parish of St. John Mary Vianney, in north Leeds, which meant that my involvement with young people continued in a variety of ways, including pilgrimages to Lourdes and World Youth Days. The two years in north Leeds were followed by four at the parish of Mother of Unfailing Help, in central Leeds. The parish incorporates Leeds Cathedral where one of my roles was to coordinate its daily liturgical life and assist the Bishop when he came to celebrate at the Cathedral. In addition to my parish duties, I travelled weekly to the seminary of St. Mary’s College, Oscott, near Birmingham, where I taught an introductory course in Sacred Liturgy. Throughout these years when the Lord called me to follow Him in a variety of places and roles, I have been blessed to be able to maintain my interests in theatre, music, walking and travelling.
As the late summer sun continues to shine and the seasons move towards the colour of autumn, the Lord has called me to a new role within the Diocese, as the Secretary to Bishop Stock and to assist in the parish of Blessed John Henry Newman. I look forward to the time I will spend here in east Leeds and with the Bishop throughout the Diocese. Let us entrust each other to the maternal care of Our Lady, to whom Blessed Newman prayed: “I shall always rely on your help to be what Jesus wants me to be. I am his; I am yours, my good Mother!”.
Fr. Matthew Habron
After completing a license in Sacred Liturgy, at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome, Italy, Bishop Roche appointed me, in 2006, to the parish of St. Austin in Wakefield (later this would become the parish of St. Martin de Porres). Seven years had passed since I went to seminary and I was now back in West Yorkshire. Having grown up and gone to school in Huddersfield, it was a joy to be able to visit my family again at regular intervals.
Four happy and fulfilling years quickly passed. In 2010 I was appointed to the parish of St. John Mary Vianney, in north Leeds, which meant that my involvement with young people continued in a variety of ways, including pilgrimages to Lourdes and World Youth Days. The two years in north Leeds were followed by four at the parish of Mother of Unfailing Help, in central Leeds. The parish incorporates Leeds Cathedral where one of my roles was to coordinate its daily liturgical life and assist the Bishop when he came to celebrate at the Cathedral. In addition to my parish duties, I travelled weekly to the seminary of St. Mary’s College, Oscott, near Birmingham, where I taught an introductory course in Sacred Liturgy. Throughout these years when the Lord called me to follow Him in a variety of places and roles, I have been blessed to be able to maintain my interests in theatre, music, walking and travelling.
As the late summer sun continues to shine and the seasons move towards the colour of autumn, the Lord has called me to a new role within the Diocese, as the Secretary to Bishop Stock and to assist in the parish of Blessed John Henry Newman. I look forward to the time I will spend here in east Leeds and with the Bishop throughout the Diocese. Let us entrust each other to the maternal care of Our Lady, to whom Blessed Newman prayed: “I shall always rely on your help to be what Jesus wants me to be. I am his; I am yours, my good Mother!”.
Fr. Matthew Habron
Published Tue 4th Oct 2016 15:51:25
Last Modified on Tue 4th Oct 2016 15:51:25
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