Kate Buckley: ordained priest, 2018

Kate Buckley joined the Diocese of Derby as Assistant Curate in the communities of South Derbyshire (The parishes of Walton on Trent with Croxall and Rosliston in the benefice of Walton on Trent with Croxall, Rosliston with Linton and Castle Gresley, of the benefice of Stapenhill Immanuel and of the parish of Coton in the Elms in the benefice of Seale and Lullington with Coton in the Elms, and of the parishes of Swadlincote and Hartshorne).

Now retired, Kate originally trained in hotels before moving into administration and secretarial work in a number of different industries – from concrete pipe manufacturers to chartered quantity surveyors. She lives in Burton on Trent with her dogs and has two sons and eight grandchildren.

Talking about her journey to ordination Kate said: “I had originally expected a quiet retirement but God clearly has other plans and I have felt Him beside me every step of the way”

“If anyone were to ask, I would suggest that if they feel called to serve God as a priest then they should certainly try.

"The consultation process, the examination of vocation and the support I have received during my own journey, has been amazing and rewarding in ways I could never have imagined.

"It really has been a wonderful adventure.”