A calendar with the stories of 12 priests to tell the congregation about the life of those who have chosen the way of priesthood. It is the initiative of the diocese of Leeds, which launched the calendar 2008 with the slogan “A priest is for life, not for Christmas or Easter only”. Along with the pictures of the priests, who are portrayed as they are busy working or in recreational activities, there is a brief explanation of the reason they followed their calling and a few notes on what really matters in their lives. The diocese hopes the calendar, which is sold over these days in homes, offices and schools, will help those who are thinking of becoming a priest. The bishop of Leeds, mgr. Arthur Roche, hopes the calendar will help people see the human side of priests. “Priests do not come out of nowhere”, he states, “they come from ordinary families and have the same dreams and aspirations as anyone else. They also have their worries and anxieties. But, despite this, they offer themselves up generously at the service of the Church”. The idea to make the calendar occurred to father Simon Lodge, a member of the diocesan office for vocations. The calendar priests include father Neil Byrne from Harrogate, the chaplain of the Wealstun prison, in Wetherby, northern England. When he was asked what he would do if he had not been a priest, he answered: “I would have never felt really accomplished, or maybe I would have ended up in prison. Who knows?”.
