One of the four men now in training to become permanent deacons, TOM ROLFE, introduces himself and tells us about his journey so far…

It feels very appropriate to be writing this on the feast of St Anne, as my grandmother, Dotty, played such a vital role in my faith as a child and young adult.
Faith has always played an important part in my life. While growing up in St Bede’s Parish, Marske, during my mid-teens I started to very gently think about the priesthood.
However, as time went on I developed a career in entertainment, mainly focused on variety (including juggling and unicycling). My first “gig” was at Middlesbrough Theatre for the diocesan talent show Pope Idol, closely followed by subsequent concerts Rocking in the Aisles.
Over the next few years I began working in theatre production, provided circus workshops for schools and toured the national holiday park circuit.
Although prayer has always remained an integral part of my life, the schedules of touring around the country at all kinds of unsociable hours slowly caused me to spend time away from practicing the faith physically in Church.
It wasn’t until the lockdown that I could sit back, reflect and discern where life was heading, or rather where it should be!
This time out from the busyness of life provided me with the space to think and take account of what was missing. I took a step back from the epic tour schedules and worked from home more in pre-production and writing, but something was still missing.
After tuning in to Mass via live-stream for a week or so on the Blessed Nicholas Postgate’s Facebook page, I attended the socially distanced periods made available for private prayer and exposition at Sacred Heart Church, Redcar.
This was the moment I realised what was missing! Seeing the Lord enthroned in the monstrance on the altar, combined with the quiet stillness and sanctuary of the Church, instantly made me feel at home again.
A short while later I felt the Lord in a way picking up from where he left off regarding the gentle nudging of a vocation. After initially discerning priesthood for around a year or so, when the time came to apply formally and move away to study, I felt fairly certain I wasn’t being called to leave everything I was already doing.
I felt more called to embrace what I was already doing but was very much aware of the gentle nudging to still serve the people of God. After taking this pondering to our vocations director, Canon Alan Sheridan, my spiritual director and to prayer, I felt much more confident I was being called to serve in our churches, places of work, schools and communities. I felt called to the permanent diaconate.
Within a few months of wandering down the path of discernment, again I felt the Lord calling with much more clarity that this was the right road for me.
Having completed the propaedeutic year of studies and year one I am looking forward to starting year two of formal studies in September and I look forward to serving our diocese in whichever way the Lord calls me to.
I’m extremely grateful for the support of the diocese, the parish, my friends and family and keep you all in my prayers. Please keep me in yours.

*If you feel you are being called to the priesthood, the permanent diaconate or the religious life, contact our vocation director Canon Alan Sheridan by emailing parish.priest@stthereseingleby.org.uk or calling 01642 751304.