LOWTON St Luke's new rector has joined the parish.

Rev John Macauley, currently chaplain at Liverpool College, takes over full-time in Lowton from July. Because of his contract with the college he will not be free for full time duties until the summer and will commute in the meantime.

The sports-mad rector, who has played cricket for many years (though a knee injury has now forced his retirement) and who admits to being a keen fan of Wigan RL since 1948, says he is looking forward to getting back into parochial ministry work after an absence of 15 years.

Mr Macauley, 57, is an ex curate of Padgate, a former vicar at Upholland and between 1975-81 was Vicar of St Peter's in Hindley.

Married to Anne, 52, who works in a library in Speke, they have two grown-up children, Matthew and Victoria.

He said: "I will have to ease myself back into parochial ministry work again after all these years, but I am looking forward to getting used to having a congregation which are 'voluntary' again after working within a college.

"I am also looking forward to meeting and getting to know my parishioners in Lowton, and although I have helped out at various parishes during the past few years, it is not the same as having your own.

"I shall use the next few months in trying to find out what I can usefully do to help the people of Lowton and will then be in a better position to take over full-time after my contract in Liverpool ends."

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