Meet The Team
Who are the people who make it happen? Read about them here. Meet team members past and present.
Fr Daniel Mason, Chaplain
Meet Fr Dan
Fr Dan was born in Dollis Hill in North West London but both of his parents were born in Essex, his dad in Gidea Park and his mum in Hornchurch. After growing up in Hertfordshire and in Somerset, Fr Dan saw the light and, like the prodigal son in the gospel, went back to his roots to study Philosophy and Politics at the University of Essex.
At university Fr Dan was involved in the student Catholic Society and started to think seriously about whether God was calling him to be a priest. It was on pilgrimage to Lourdes, praying in front of the grotto, that Fr Dan made the decision to try his vocation as a student for the priesthood.
After being accepted by Bishop Thomas, he was first sent to Oscott College in Birmingham for three years and then finished off his studies at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. After a year spent as a deacon in the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead (where he had to get used to being called “Deacon Dan” for a whole year!) Fr Dan was ordained a priest in the Chapel of New Hall School, Chelmsford on June 7th, 2003.
After ordination Fr Dan was appointed as an Assistant Priest at Brentwood Cathedral for four years before moving to St Antony’s, Forest Gate. In June 2009 the Bishop appointed Fr Dan to take over from Fr Dominic as Youth Chaplain and to work in the Catholic Parish of the Royal Docks alongside Monsignor John Armitage.