ordinands

Training

St Michael’s College provides ministerial training for candidates from St David’s diocese. Those undertaking training for Reader ministry follow a two year Cardiff University Certificate in Practical Theology course. Those training for Non-Stipendary Ministry take a three year course leading to a Cardiff University Diploma in Practical Theology.

 

Courses are taught through residential blocks at St Michael’s College and evening classes at Trinity College, Carmarthen. St Michael’s College works closely with the diocese to ensure the pastoral support of all candidates as they seek to discover their ministerial vocation. Our aim is to provide high quality training within a context that is supportive and which allows candidates to achieve their full potential. Visit their website.

Profiles:

• Richard Wood:
  • My name is Richard Wood and I am a St Davids ordinand, training at St Michael’s College in Llandaff. I am originally from Gloucester, where I lived until I was 18. I am married to Naomi – who just happens to be a Vicar’s daughter! We married in July 2002 in Aberystwyth, where I had been studying for my degree in physical geography. After getting married, we moved to Carmarthen. Naomi trained to be a primary school teacher at Trinity College, and I worked as the Chaplaincy assistant while I was going through selection for ordination training. We are looking forward to returning to the most beautiful part of Wales when I have finished my training.
• Peter Ratcliffe:
  • My name is Peter. I am married to a lovely Welsh girl called Ruth. Since our marriage we have lived in Carmarthenshire for 15 years (Ruth was born in the county). We have two daughters age 8 & 10 months. We also keep rabbits and hens. Our home parish is Llandeilo Fawr, and we have been greatly encouraged by the growth in numbers and spiritual among the congregation in the last 10 years in the parish. I am in my second of three years of training for full time ministry at St Michael’s College, Llandaff. I am looking forward to starting a curacy somewhere in the Diocese, God willing and with the bishop’s permission in June 2008.
• Harri Williams:
  • I am a graduate in Modern History from Balliol College Oxford and was ordained priest in June 2011 whereupon I took up a post in the United Benefice of Haverfordwest. I was once Head Chorister at St Woolos Cathedral Choir, and during my gap year at St Davids I sang with the Cathedral Choir there. At Oxford I specialised in ecclesiastical history and wrote a thesis on the role Bishop John Owen (Bishop of St Davids 1897-1926) in the campaign against the establishment of the Church in Wales. I am a fluent Welsh speaker and enjoy music, gardening and reading during my spare time. I am also Secretary of the Friends of St Davids Cathedral.
• Marianne Osborne:
  • My name is Marianne Osborne, I’m a thirty four year old mother of three, born and brought up in sunny Pembrokshire. Before leaving my home to begin training at St Michaels here in Cardiff I worked as a practice nurse in a local GP practice. I have been a nurse for the best part of my working life, training at Withybush hospital, Haverfordwest at the tender age of seventeen. I always remember my mother asking me when I was studying for my ‘A’ levels what I wanted to do with my life and at the time I really didn’t have a clue. I just knew that I enjoyed being with people! I have to say that my nursing has given me an excellent foundation to begin ordination training upon and I tell the patients from my old surgery that I’m still caring for people, maybe not physically but in a spiritual sense. I don’t really have time for hobbies at the moment but I enjoy music of all types, craft and spending quality time with my family.