Hello! I’m the Curate at St Luke’s.
You can find me online:
Twitter: @rolfmason4
Instagram: rolf_mason
Before I joined the team in the summer of 2017, I trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon studying on the Masters in Applied Theology pathway, which encouraged me to research topics of special interest: education, liturgy, worship, preaching, sacraments and mission.
Inner-city life in Holbeck is vibrant, fun and endlessly engaging. I feel really at home whether going to the gym, visiting the pub, doing assemblies in local schools, or wandering about.
However, there is significant deprivation and material need here in south Leeds. It has been a joy to work with and befriend Alistair, the vicar at St Luke’s, who is a great role model
Highlights from my time at St Luke’s so far include: a failed enquirers course, which led to a rich discipleship relationship with a couple new to church; preaching more regularly; participating in the Voice of Holbeck (a community reference Group working with the Police and Council on the Managed Approach to Sex Work in Holbeck); helping as a leader at the Venture youth camp at Ripon; leading worship; and starting a small church plant in Hunslet.
I am excited to continue working alongside so many talented people in south Leeds.
People often ask me what they should call me. I prefer Rolf, but since I got ordained (‘made a vicar’) I’ve realised people call me what they prefer: pastor, padre, priesnt, vicar, Father…
Whatever you call me, being a vicar in Leeds brings to fruition a process that began many years ago, becoming a shepherd and pastor. For me becoming a priest is where my deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.
I have a deep love of the Bible and its always pointless trying to find a favourite verse, but I am fond of Acts 20:24: “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
