FATHER STEPHEN McGRATTAN

Stephen McGrattan was born in Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine in 1975. His parents are George and Anne McGrattan, both retired teachers. He has a sister Theresa who is married to Graeme Hendry.

He was an altar server and organist in the Church of Saint Peter in Chains.

Stephen was educated at Saint Peter's Primary School, Ardrossan, Saint Andrew's Academy, Saltcoats, Glasgow University and the Pontifical University and the Royal Scots College, both Salamanca, Spain.

On 6 July 2003, Stephen was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Galloway in the Church of Saint Peter in Chains by Bishop Maurice Taylor. This was Bishop Taylor's last ordination as Bishop of Galloway before his retiral on 28 May 2004.

Stephen's first appointment was on 1 August 2003 to the Church of Our Lady of the Valley, Darvel and Saint Sophia's Church, Galston while resident at Saint Michael's Church, Kilmarnock. On 28 December 2003, he was appointed Assistant Priest to Saint Paul's Church, Ayr. He became Administrator to the Church of Our Lady and Saint Cuthbert, Maybole on 23 November 2004 and formally became its Parish Priest on 20 November 2005. On 27 May 2007, he took on the additional role of Parish Priest of Saint Ann's Church, Mossblown.

On 7 April 2010, Father McGrattan was transferred to the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Cumnock to become its Parish Priest and that of the Churches of Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Patrick, Auchinleck and Saint Thomas the Apostle, Muirkirk.

On 23 June 2010, Father Stephen was invited to Maybole Town Hall where Provost of South Ayrshire, Winifred Sloan, presented him with a Scroll of Appreciation from Maybole Community Council. The award recognised Father Stephen's contribution to the town and wider community from 2004 to 2010.

On 10 September 2016, Bishop William Nolan announced that Father Stephen would move to Kilmarnock. On the weekend of 22 and 23 October, Father Stephen said farewell to his parishioners in Auchinleck, Cumnock and Muirkirk where he was the guest of honour and recipient of gifts at two receptions.

On 25 October 2016, Father Stephen became parish priest of Saint Joseph's and Saint Michael's Churches in Kilmarnock. On 28 May 2017, Saint Michael's Church closed and the parish merged with Saint Joseph's. On 3 July 2017, Father Stephen took on the additional role of Parish Priest of Saint Paul's Church, Hurlford until 17 September 2018.

The photograph above was taken on 23 June 2010.