BY Amanda Connelly | August 25 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS     print icon print

6-BRUCE

Warm welcome for late recruit to the priesthood

Catholics in Motherwell Diocese welcomed their newest priest – a late recruit to the priesthood who hopes his journey could help inspire other men of all ages.

Fr Bruce McPhail was ordained to the priesthood yesterday, August 24, in St Margaret’s Church, Airdrie, where all in the parish community were looking forward to seeing one of their own make the momentous step in his Faith journey.

At 50 years old this year, Fr McPhail (right) worked as a carer, in teaching and as an accountant before starting seminary.

It is this wide experience that he hopes will help him to understand and assist others in different situations upon his ordination.

“I’m very excited about the whole thing,” Fr McPhail said ahead of his ordination. “I think it’s what I’m called to do. It’s a blessing at this time in my life. I’ve seen a wee bit of life, and so I can relate to people’s experiences,” he said of the different career paths he has followed over the years.

“Also, not everyone is ready at a young age, so I’d say for me it was necessary to be out and having those experiences.”

Fr McPhail spent a year and a half at St John’s Seminary in Wonersh, Surrey, before beginning his second year of priestly formation at St Mary’s College in Birmingham.

He said there was a ‘sizeable Scottish contingent’ at the college, particularly from his own Motherwell Diocese.

He noted that it was good to be around some of the younger seminarians at Oscott as it gave him a ‘different perspective on life,’ and he thoroughly enjoyed his time there.

He also spoke of how ‘lucky’ he was and the ‘privilege’ he was given of having the opportunity and time to study the things he learned at Oscott, which he didn’t have the chance to do in the world of work.

“It was a great experience,” he said, praising the ‘pastorally oriented’ atmosphere at Oscott.

Fr McPhail, as a later entry to the priesthood, hopes that he can be an example to other men—‘it might be one person out there’—that may be considering the priesthood but who feel it is too late.

“Go and find out,” he encouraged them. “Because you may well be surprised. The need is there.”

Fr McPhail will celebrate his Thanksgiving Mass this evening, Friday August 25, at 7pm, in St Margaret’s Church, Airdrie.

Leave a Reply

latest news

Vatican’s ‘Foreign Secretary’ to give Glasgow Cardinal Winning lecture

October 11th, 2019 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

The Vatican’s ‘foreign secretary’ is to give this year’s Cardinal...


All creatures great and small attend Pets’ Blessing

October 11th, 2019 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

Dozens of furry family friends were sprinkled with holy water...


Pope sends message to young Scots at rally against Christian persecution

October 11th, 2019 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

Pope Francis sent a message of encouragement to hundreds of...


Relics of special couple venerated at newlyweds’ Mass

October 11th, 2019 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

Newlyweds venerated the relics of St Thérèse’s parents at a...




Social media

Latest edition

P1-OCT-11-2019

exclusively in the paper

  • Knights return to Glasgow roots to mark 100th anniversary
  • Decision in November on future of all-girls’ state Catholic school
  • Catholics urged to write to MSPs over schools issue
  • Young people think globally with Missionary Children Masses
  • Party leaders back porridge campaign for world’s hungriest

Previous editions

Previous editions of the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper are only available to subscribed Members. To download previous editions of the paper, please subscribe.

note: registered members only.

Read the SCO