St. Anthony of Padua Church in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, England was the setting for the priestly ordination of Friar John Paul Banks, OFM Conv., on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Archbishop John Sherrington, appointed by the late Pope Francis on Apr. 5, 2025, and having only received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV the week before, was the ordaining prelate. Friar-Priest John Paul was the first priesthood ordination to happen under the new archbishop. Friar  John Paul is a Conventual Franciscan friar of the Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody.

During the Holy Mass of Ordination, Archbishop Sherrington delivered a powerful and touching homily, offering the newly-ordained friar-priest this counsel: “As teacher, faithfully communicate the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ by carefully loving and studying the scriptures and the teaching of the Church. Break these down so that the people of our age and culture may understand the message they communicate. This is a challenge for our technocratic and secular age.”

“As a Franciscan Conventual, you are called to model your life on St. Francis who was humble and poor, who loved creation and all God’s creatures calling them ‘brother’ and ‘sister’, who loved so deeply that he carried the stigmata in his body. As Pope Francis wrote ‘He was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his openheartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.’ (LS 10). Like Francis see that the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.”

In a touching moment at the end of the Mass, Archbishop Sherrington went over to embrace Friar  Giles Zakowicz, OFM Conv., who had, just the day before, celebrated his 50th anniversary of priesthood.