Ordinations 2026- Meet the Priests
Ordinations to the Priesthood will take place at 11am on Saturday, 20th June 2026 in Llandaff Cathedral.
David Harrison
What has been the most meaningful lesson from your curacy so far?
There is, and perhaps always will be, more to learn. Curacy itself has an end point, but it's also an introduction to a lifelong process of learning and growth.
How has your understanding of priesthood grown or changed on the last year?
If I'm honest, I don't think it has. My wife has been a priest for about a decade, and I've seen firsthand how priesthood influences every aspect of life, including family life. The challenges are real, but so are the joys.
What part of MA life have you enjoyed most?
As I’m entirely new to the Church in Wales, it's been great to meet so many new people and to start to get to know the communities I'm working with.
What has surprised you most?
The immediate and incredibly warm welcome from the people of the parishes I'm working in has been amazing.
What spiritual practices sustain you in ministry?
Prayer around every aspect of daily life, however mundane, is, for me, essential. My favourite time to pray is while taking our dog for a walk. The dog rarely joins in, but I do enjoy having his company.
If you had to pass on one piece of advice to those being ordained to the Diaconate this year, what would it be?
Don't expect too much of yourself too soon. Nobody is expecting you to know everything or do everything perfectly first time.
What are you most looking forward to as you are ordained a Priest?
The Mass has always been the foundation and centre of my spiritual life. I can't imagine any greater privilege than being able to celebrate the Mass alongside the communities I serve.
Philip Burman
What has been the most meaningful lesson from your curacy so far?
The most meaningful lesson has been discovering that ministry is all about relationships. Whether in church, schools, care homes, funerals …even in the local pub! Some of the most significant moments happen simply through being present with people.
How has your understanding of priesthood grown or changed on the last year?
I’ve come to see priesthood less as something you do and so much more a way of being. It is about prayerfully serving God’s people, helping them to recognise God’s presence in their everyday lives, and always pointing them towards Christ.
What part of MA life have you enjoyed most?
I've absolutely loved the variety, no two days are ever the same! I've most enjoyed becoming part of the communities I serve and seeing new people discover that our churches can be wonderful places of welcome, belonging, and hope. From schools ministry and chatting to people at community events to Lent courses and weekly worship, it has been a joy to watch faith begin to grow in people’s lives.
What has surprised you most?
The privilege of funeral ministry has surprised me most. Walking alongside families in their grief, listening to the precious stories of their loved ones, and sharing the hope of the resurrection has been one of the most humbling and rewarding parts of ordained ministry, so far.
What spiritual practices sustain you in ministry?
Daily prayer, particularly Evening Prayer, and regular participation in the Eucharist sustain me. I also value time with my spiritual director, and simply sitting quietly in church at the end of a busy day.
If you had to pass on one piece of advice to those being ordained to the Diaconate this year, what would it be?
Say “yes” to opportunities that come your way, even when they feel daunting. Some of the most valuable learning happens when you step out in faith, trust God, and discover that He has already gone ahead of you. Be yourself and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Remember, curacy is still a time to learn, grow, and discover the minister God is calling you to be.
What are you most looking forward to as you are ordained a Priest?
I'm particularly looking forward to celebrating the sacraments, especially presiding at the Eucharist. The Eucharist has always been at the heart of my faith, and to be able to stand at the altar and share in that sacred mystery will be both a tremendous privilege and such a humbling responsibility.
Rachel Petley
What has been the most meaningful lesson from your curacy so far?
Being reminded of the faithfulness of God as we step out in faith. We held an Easter Egg hunt on Holy Saturday for the first time, finishing by sharing the Easter story with special ‘Resurrection Eggs’. I worried beforehand that no-one would turn up, but one of our congregation members repeatedly told us to buy more eggs! I’m so grateful to her faith and glad we listened to her: I couldn’t believe my eyes as families kept arriving, including many from the local community who had never been to a church event or service before.
How has your understanding of priesthood grown or changed on the last year?
Tough question! I’m not sure it’s changed, but what I’ve experienced and witnessed over the past year has confirmed to me the vital importance of building good relationships. Priests are not priests in isolation, they are ‘called to work with their bishop, their fellow priests, and all the people of God’. Relationships take time and effort, but committing to that is essential.
What part of MA life have you enjoyed most?
Being part of an incredible team; both clergy and the wider team. Everyone is committed to working together and supporting each other despite differences in personality and tradition. I’ve also loved the opportunities I’ve had to work alongside individuals from other chapels and churches, as well as secular organisations like the National Trust Rangers and the Vale Nature Partnership.
What has surprised you most?
The sheer variety of things I get to do! A single day might involve team prayer, leading school worship, a coffee morning with the neighbouring chapel, serving hot chocolate at the local secondary school and a funeral visit. It is such a privilege. I love it.
What spiritual practices sustain you in ministry?
While I love being around people, as an introvert I can only keep this up for so long before I need to retreat and recharge. Jesus often withdrew from others to be alone with God, and I find it important to remind myself of this. It’s all too easy to think that time spent alone with God is wasted time that should be spent in ‘active’ ministry, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Spending time in retreat with God reorients me to God’s heart and priorities; I can’t minister effectively to others without that.
If you had to pass on one piece of advice to those being ordained to the Diaconate this year, what would it be?
Be realistic and prayerful in what you try to do each day. It’s so tempting to throw yourself into everything immediately but remember to take stock and ask whether something is a good idea or a God idea. They’re not always the same thing!
What are you most looking forward to as you are ordained a Priest?
I am utterly humbled by the fact that I will be able to preside at the Eucharist. To hold out the bread and the wine, Jesus’ body and blood, to others and invite them to share it – it’s utterly mind-blowing. I hope I never lose sight of what a privilege that is.
Sarah Steadman
What has been the most meaningful lesson from your curacy so far?
There are some small but very faithful congregations in my ministry area. They demonstrate great care and concern for each other and they have extended that warm welcome and care to me. It has been a privilege for me to get to know them, to spend time socialising with them and to be accepted and trusted by them. The lesson for me in this is to take time to get to know my congregations, to listen attentively to them and encourage them in their ministry.
How has your understanding of priesthood grown or changed on the last year?
I have become more confident about being myself in ministry, my congregations have welcomed my honesty and appreciated that I can admit my vulnerabilities. God has called me to be a priest and he wants me to bring all of me to my priestly vocation and to draw on my life experiences in incarnational ministry.
What part of MA life have you enjoyed most?
I have really enjoyed the social events, especially the cut throat quiz nights!
What has surprised you most?
There is a monument in St Margaret's church in Aberaman which is a portion of a slab of granite from the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was "obtained" by Sir George Elliot in 1876 with the permission of Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt.
What spiritual practices sustain you in ministry?
I have a satisfying prayer life, I read the Common Worship readings every morning and I use either Celtic Daily Prayer by David Adam for morning, evening and night prayers or I join Daily Prayer on the Church of England app. My spirituality is closely linked to God's creation and I find great joy and consolation from being out of doors, walking in my local area or working in my garden.
If you had to pass on one piece of advice to those being ordained to the Diaconate this year, what would it be?
Enjoy it! Get to know your congregations and wait patiently for God's direction. I think that's more than one!
What are you most looking forward to as you are ordained a Priest?
Developing my sacramental ministry, becoming more familiar and confident with the performative aspects so that I can better channel the Holy Spirit.
Susannah Griffin
What has been the most meaningful lesson from your curacy so far?
Probably that turning up (even unprepared/nervous/not sure what use I’ll be) is still good and learning to trust God and myself more that I don’t need to be completely prepared for everything before I do it!
How has your understanding of priesthood grown or changed on the last year?
This isn’t a deep theological observation and applies as much to deacons really, but the thing that’s most surprised me is how much of a positive it is to be a young woman. Through discernment and training, being a woman and being young were pretty much always barriers or inconveniences to other people, but since wearing a collar, I’ve found that it’s been really helpful – largely because most of the examples people see of priests on TV etc (and all of the negative examples) are middle-aged/old white men and I’ve found that not looking like that has really helped me to be able to talk to people without so much baggage or defensiveness.
What part of MA life have you enjoyed most?
It feels obvious, but the people! I’m trying to think of my favourite activity but I just keep seeing faces of lovely people who have been unbelievably kind and supportive (and also very ready to tease me when I deserve it!)
What has surprised you most?
Care home ministry/home visiting. I have to confess that going from working in a secondary school to this, I was probably most nervous that I’d spend all my time around people much much older than me. However, I’d say that my time spent home visiting, with the hospital chaplaincy and in care homes has been so much more fun and rewarding than I’d expected!
What spiritual practices sustain you in ministry?
In Penarth, the ministry team say morning prayer together most mornings, which has been a real blessing, challenging me with different viewpoints and making me feel supported in prayer together. My wife and I also go to the Gathering (a queer-focused church in Cardiff) whenever we can on Sunday evenings, which has been an endless source of joy and a space where I get to be myself without question and can just worship as a “normal” person!
If you had to pass on one piece of advice to those being ordained to the Diaconate this year, what would it be?
Enjoy it! You’ll probably feel a bit lost at the start, and there may be times when you want to jump to your priesting, but don’t wish away this year - being a deacon is fun!
What are you most looking forward to as you are ordained a Priest?
Presiding at communion, for sure - it feels like such a weighty thing so I’m a bit scared, but mostly excited!