HEAVEN'S angels whisked Father Kevin McLoughlin out of Burtons' shop window.

The 41 years-old Atherton priest (pictured) was flying high as northern manager for the clothing store chain when he decided to trade-in his flash car for life in a cassock.

"You could say I was head-hunted by God," reasoned Fr. McLoughlin, 41, after being ordained at Atherton St Richard's RC Church.

The former St Richard's and Astley St Mary's pupil left school at 15 to become an assistant at Burtons' Leigh branch.

By the age of 25 he was a manager of the company's Manchester store and, a year later, moved to Newcastle and took responsibility for operations covering northern England and Scotland.

Then suddenly he felt the need to follow God - a path also taken by his sister Anne, who is a nun, and brother, John, 34, a Merseyside priest.

With a detached house in Aldford Drive, Atherton, an attractive salary and a company car Fr. Kevin had achieved what many people look for in life before he decided on a career move with a difference.

He said:"The call to the priesthood is something you don't see as a career move. It's something that takes a hold of you.

"Your faith really is a belief in an existence of God. It was time to do this."

He underwent four years training in Rome with men from all walks of life from 22 different countries - including an Australian who'd worked as a pearl diver.

One of seven brothers and sisters Fr. Kevin's first appointment is as assistant Priest at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Aintree. Photograph by Vicky Leanne

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