Steven Leightell was ordained to the sacred order of the diaconate at Our Lady and St Peter’s Church, Bridlington, during Advent as he continues on the path to his priestly ordination.
The church was full to bursting and the parishioners rallied together as a community to make the event special. 
Steven is originally from Spennymoor in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. However, he first began to discern a vocation during his time as a parishioner of St Margaret Clitherow Parish in Haxby, while working as an RE teacher.
He studied for the priesthood at Oscott in Birmingham and the English College in Rome. He had several periods in seminary, between which he returned to teaching several secondary schools. 
Steven is currently ministering as a deacon in the parishes of Our Lady Star of the Sea, incorporating Our Lady and St Peter’s, Bridlington, St Mary’s, Filey and St George’s, Eastfield. God willing, he will be ordained priest in the summer at St Mary’s Cathedral. 

You can read a full report on Steven’s ordination in February’s Catholic Voice.

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