THE ordination of a new priest was celebrated in Downpatrick last weekend.
Fr Thomas Hampton was ordained on Sunday, 28 June, at St Patrick’s Church in the town, by the Bishop of Down and Connor, Most Rev Alan McGuckian.
Many clergy and parishioners were in attendance at this special event, which was followed by a parish reception in Patrician Youth Club.
Thomas Hampton (46) is a native of Saul and Ballee parish. He is a past pupil of St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballycruttle, and De La Salle High School, Downpatrick.
He then continued his education in the East Down and Belfast Institutes of Further and Higher Education.
In 2003, he completed a degree in Tourism Management at Edinburgh Napier University.
In 2008, Fr Hampton completed a PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University to begin his career in teaching and education.
He has taught in schools in England and Northern Ireland and tutored in community projects in Belfast.
In 2021, he entered the Royal and Pontifical English College of St. Alban’s, Valladolid, Spain, to complete his propaedeutic year.
Then, in 2022, he entered the Pontifical Beda College in Rome to complete his priestly formation.
St Patrick’s Church has another reason to celebrate next week, as it marks the combined 150 years of service by three priests. It is hosting a Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday, 6 July, at 7pm to celebrate the Ordination Jubilees of three priests living in Downpatrick Parish.
Canon John Murray will celebrate his 50th anniversary, Fr Jim Conway his 30th and Fr John Moley his 70th.
