Michael was born on the 6th of February, 1957 in Koforidua, a town in the Eastern Region of Ghana, West Africa.

He is the sixth of nine children, five brothers and four sisters. His parents, Michael and Alexcia were teachers and catechists at the local Catholic Church. His parents were quite instrumental in planting other Catholic communities in the surrounding villages. Their efforts were recognised leading to his father being honoured with the papal award of Knight Commander of St Gregory the Great.

Michael had his first experience of seminary life at the tender age of 13 when he was accepted at the Pope John Minor Seminary and Secondary School in Ghana. He left the Seminary and followed the footsteps of his siblings by moving to England in 1979, pursuing a course in publishing and marketing at the then Slough College now Thames Valley University. Since leaving school in England, he has worked for various businesses and eventually established his own in deliveries and private hire.

Michael met and married his childhood friend Alexandra in 1987. They are blessed with three daughters - Alexcia, Michelle and Jennifer.

Michael and his family have been very instrumental in the formation of the Youth, Prayer and Music ministries in the parish of Holy Redeemer, Slough. He is a member of the parish pastoral council and serves on several committees in the pastoral area.

Michael was introduced to the ministry of the Permanent Diaconate four years ago by his parish priest, Fr. Noel Connolly, who had recognised his service, commitment and sense of responsibility in the affairs of the parish community. It took nearly four months soul searching and prayer before Michael and his family, who knew little about the ministry, gave their consent.

Michael began his formation program in September 2007 at St. John Seminary, Wonersh and is ordained by the Rt. Rev. Peter Doyle on 10th July 2010 at the Church of Holy Redeemer Slough.

Michael concludes:-
 “It has been a long and an amazing journey to ordination, believing in the will of God and trying very hard to understand and accept the popular English saying, ‘A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.’ I believe that the real journey is about to begin and I trust the Lord Jesus to continue to be my torchbearer. “
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Lord Jesus Christ,
you said to your apostles:
I leave you peace, my peace I give you.
Look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
And grant us the peace and unity
of your kingdom
where you live forever and ever.
Amen.
 
 
 
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A FEW WORDS FROM MICHAEL

Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all the support and guidance that I have been privileged to receive from many.

I am indebted to my parish priest, Fr. Noel Connolly, who introduced me to the ministry and has since, with the help of the Pastoral Council and the whole community of the Church of Holy Redeemer, continuously supported me, which has made this journey possible.

Thank you, Bishop Peter, for accepting and allowing me to be part of this great ministry.

I would like to show my profound gratitude to Fr. Francis Higgins, the Diocesan Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate and his two assistants, Rev. John Crowshaw and Mrs. Joanna Hale, for their patience and encouragement throughout the formation. The entire team at St. John's Seminary, Wonersh and fellow students were very friendly and supportive. Rev. Canon Kevin O'Driscoll, my mentor, despite his busy schedule as the Dean of the Slough Pastoral Area, listened and guided me throughout my development. I thank God for the priceless gift I found in my spiritual director, Sr. Mary Connell of the Daughters of St. Paul.

I owe my deepest gratitude to my wife Alexandra and my three angels Alexcia, Michelle and Jennifer for their unwavering love and continuous support. You have always been the pillars of my life.

It is a pleasure to belong to such a wonderful community and to be counted as a friend to many, especially all the people who have contributed to make this day. possible - the Music Ministry, the Prayer Group, the Social and Catering Group, Welcoming ministry. Florists, the Youth of the parish and countless helpers.

Thank you all for touching the day with your kindness, presence and prayers, which has made the day beautiful.
 

 

"Lord, you know I treasure my friends.  They are your precious gift to me.
I thank you for them and ask you to bless each one of them.

Lord, thank you for your friendship.
Thank you for the priceless treasure of your living presence within.

But above all, thank you for picking me from the miry clay
 And setting my feet upon the rock." Amen.
 

© July, 2010  Holy Family Parish / Bernard Stanley