Fr Mark Swires

I was born and brought up in Upminster and attended St Joseph’s Primary school and The Campion School. I studied English Literature and Philosophy before applying to train for the priesthood. Prior to my going to seminary Bishop Thomas asked me to spend a year working. I spent most of the year helping in a homeless shelter in South London run by the Missionaries of Charity. I trained for the priesthood at St John’s seminary, Wonersh and was ordained in 2005. My appointments as assistant priest were to Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead, St Mary’s Hornchurch and St George’s in Walthamstow before being appointed Parish Priest here by Bishop Alan. In my spare time I try to keep in touch with my friends and I like reading – Jane Austen, Trollope, Tolkien, PG Wodehouse and a variety of detective writers being my favourites.