New Catholic Priest welcomed to Thame

THAME’S Catholic community welcomed David Hartley, their new Priest on May 11, who is stepping into the shoes (or should that be cassock?) of Father Mark Lagorio.

David has moved from three parishes, Meir, Caverswall and Cresswell, near Stoke-on-Trent. Speaking to Thame.Net, he said: “We have visited Thame occasionally, several years ago when we were living in Oxford. My wife Pat knows she visited when she was a little girl in the 1960s and has a brass rubbing her father made from St Mary’s on the visit!

“We have six in the family, with four adult children in Japan, one in Scotland and one in Staffordshire. Pat is currently working at the JR already as a palliative care nurse.

“I have had a very happy and busy six years caring for three parishes. Now I am looking forward to a new challenge in an area which is changing as new people move in to new homes. The parish is clearly well-run by very committed people, and we have a lovely parish school, so we will all be praying for God’s guidance for the best ways to work together.”

Father Harley’s induction will be at St Joseph’s Church, Thame on June 8, at 7.15pm.