Parish Priest

An introduction to the parish

A welcome from Fr Hilton

Fr Hilton’s introductory message on arriving in Beeston and Holbeck.

Hello! My name is Fr Benjamin Hilton and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as I celebrate Mass with you for the first time this weekend. It is a time of many firsts, as some of you will be aware. My appointment here is my first as parish priest. I would like to say how delighted I am to be here and look forward to getting to know all of you in the weeks and months ahead.

I am originally from St Theresa’s Parish in Crossgates and studied for the priesthood at the English College in Rome. I was ordained in 2019 and have served in several different places across the diocese, including St Robert’s Parish in Harrogate, the Cathedral in Leeds, my home parish of Crossgates and, most recently, for a brief time, looking after the parish of St Peter and Paul’s in Yeadon as the parochial administrator.

It is from there that I come to you, excited to begin this new ministry here in Beeston and Holbeck.

Alongside my parish work, I am also the chaplain to HMP Leeds (Armley), where I work with the prisoners and celebrate Mass for them each Saturday morning.

Another ministry I am involved with is the diocesan men’s group, the Oratory of St Joseph. The Oratory is a group tasked with the spiritual and cultural growth of young Catholic men to help them deepen their faith and form friendships. I would be grateful if you could keep these ministries and all involved in them in your prayers.

I’d like to thank Fr Whitwell for all that he has done here over the past 8 years and for his kindness and generosity towards me during this time of transition. We wish him well for his new appointment in Stokesley and I am sure that we will see him again in the not-too-distant future.

In a few weeks’ time, we will celebrate my Mass of Induction, which I hope will be a lovely occasion for all of the parish.

I ask that in these first few weeks you are patient with me as I begin to learn names and faces and start to find my way around, and most especially that you keep me in your prayers.

You will be in mine.

God bless,

Fr Hilton