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frankie mulgrew

Comic-turned-priest Fr Frankie’s inspiring story 150 150 mhamer

Comic-turned-priest Fr Frankie’s inspiring story

Frankie Mulgrew, the younger son of comedian Jimmy Cricket, followed in his father’s footsteps in comedy – until a battle with depression ultimately led to him becoming a priest.

Frankie was captivated by a love of the stage and entertainment as a child and was a stand-up comedian known as Frankie Doodle.

But he suffered with depression around the age of 18 and it led him eventually to become a priest after realising the healing power of the Catholic religion.

Fr Mulgrew, 41, has told his inspiring story to the Lancashire Evening Post newspaper, where dad Jimmy has a monthly column.

See the full article here

Frankie Mulgrew

Fr Frankie Mulgrew

 

Packed show is a family affair 150 150 mhamer

Packed show is a family affair

Jimmy Cricket and Fr Frankie appeared in the Clitheroe Advertiser

Jimmy Cricket and his second son, the newly ordained Fr Frankie Mulgrew, played to a fullhouse in aid of charity recently.

Like his famous dad, Frankie is also an entertainer and went under the stage name of Frankie Doodle during his show business days.

Jimmy Cricket's wife, May Mulgrew,

Jimmy’s wife, May

He was ordained a Catholic priest in an ordination service at Salford Cathedral last summer, but still does the occasional comedy gig in aid of charity.

Jimmy, his wife May Mulgrew – who is a professional singer under the stage name of May Marion – and Fr Frankie all appeared in the concert at the end of January which was a fund-raiser for the charity Mary’s Meals.

It is an organisation which supports school feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

The event was hosted at the community hall connected with the parish church where Fr Frankie is based – St John’s Catholic Church in Clitheroe.

Jimmy, who was born James Mulgrew, said: “The show played to a fullhouse, with 70 people having to be put on a waiting list for returned tickets!

“A magnificent total of £2, 250 was raised from the night for Mary’s Meals.”

The image above shows a story published in the Clitheroe Advertiser newspaper published on 6 February about the show.

Does God laugh out loud? 150 150 mhamer

Does God laugh out loud?

Does God LOL? Compiled by Frankie Mulgrew, son of Jimmy Cricket The comedian-turned-priest younger son of entertainer Jimmy Cricket has had a book published about God and humour.

Frankie Mulgrew, whose stage name was Frankie Doodle, compiled and edited Does God LOL? (LOL is internet slang for Laugh Out Loud), which went on sale recently.

Fr Frankie Mulgrew leaves church after saying his first Mass as a Catholic priest

Ken Dodd, Ricky Tomlinson, Tim Vine, Jo Brand, Milton Jones and the late Frank Carson are among the famous showbiz names to have contributed to the book, which is priced at £7.99 (and is available at all good bookshops and websites, including Amazon).

The foreword was written by top theologian Tom Wright and there are cartoons from Dave Walker, Simone Lia, Mike Kazybrid and Robert Duncan.

All proceeds from sales of the book will go towards the charity Mary’s Meals, an organisation which supports school feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education.

Fr Frankie (above right), who was ordained a Roman Catholic priest at Salford Cathedral last month, dedicated the book to his dad – “for introducing me to one of God’s greatest gifts” – when he celebrated his first Mass, and presented him with a special copy.

Does God LOL? develops a theme around whether the Almighty has a sense of humour, with an impressive array of well-known comedians, actors and performers – including Jimmy Cricket as well of course – all giving it some serious thought.

The book is published by Darton, Longman & Todd.

* Does God LOL? is clearly in demand: The popular Amazon website reported on 4 August that it had “only nine [copies] left in stock (more on the way)”, though there appears to be good availability again now (as of 11 August) – and it is currently available at just £5.99.

A big step nearer to the priesthood… 150 150 mhamer

A big step nearer to the priesthood…
The service was held at the St Mary’s College chapel

The service was held at the St Mary’s College chapel in Oscott, Birmingham

…that’s not Jimmy Cricket but his youngest son, Frankie Mulgrew.

Frankie has been ordained a deacon and is now just 12 months away from becoming a Roman Catholic priest.

The service was held in the chapel at St Mary’s College, Oscott in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham on Saturday (30 June).

His diaconate ordination means Frankie, who describes himself on Twitter as a trainee priest/ex-comic, is a deacon for the next year and can perform certain functions of the Catholic Church.

Frankie in his robes with his cousin Gavin

Frankie in his robes with his cousin Gavin

And on his Facebook page, Frankie said: “Many thanks all, for your very kind comments…and just to clarify, my little sis jumped the gun with the ‘Fr’ comment…I became a Deacon last sat… (I knew she’d dose off).

“Priesthood is hopefully just a year off.. but I’m still available for weddings, baptisms, funerals…sideline in balloon modelling, etc.”

Frankie’s journey to this point has involved six years of study, with his first 12 months at the English College in Valladolid in north-central Spain to participate in a pre-novitiate year (contemplative foundation).

He then moved to the five years of full study which has got him to this stage. Four of those years were at St Cuthbert’s College in Ushaw, Durham, but it closed a year ago and his studies were transferred to Birmingham.  He has one more academic year to undertake, which starts back in Birmingham in September.

His father, famous Irish comedian Jimmy,  said: “The service was a long one! It was two hours and 15 minutes. It involved 10 other candidates who were also ordained deacons and they were from Birmingham, Nottingham, Hallam and East Anglia, to name a few.

“The service was presided over by Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham. There were in total around 70 members of the clergy there to support the ordination of the 11 candidates, plus sisters and brothers from other religious orders. Add to that family members and friends, and it all meant the chapel was rather full.

Frankie celebrates with his family in a photo taken by Tim Vine

Frankie celebrates with his family in a photo taken by Tim Vine

“The service itself asks for a commitment from the deacon to the church and to the local bishop. It also involves the handing-out of a book of Gospels to the deacon and they also receive their vestments.

“There is also a vow of celibacy taken, so that a full and unencumbered life can be devoted to the ministry of the church.”

Comedian Tim Vine, a very good friend of Frankie, also attended the service to see Frankie being ordained a deacon.

Frankie has now started his summer placement at the parish of Our Lady of the Valley in Lancashire. It covers the Clitheroe and Sabden communities within the beautiful Ribble Valley.

Jimmy added: “Frankie had a placement back in January at this parish for a month and really enjoyed his time there. This time he is only there for a fortnight, before he travels to London where he has been appointed as a voluntary chaplain to the athletes at the Olympic Village during the Olympic Games.

“He then has a bit of time in August, before he returns to St Mary’s College at the start of September.”

Remembering a legend 150 150 mhamer

Remembering a legend
Fr Jimmy and Frankie Mulgrew, Jimmy Cricket's son

Fr Jimmy and Frankie Mulgrew, who is training to become a Catholic priest

Jimmy Cricket paid his respects to an inspirational priest on a recent visit to Liverpool.

The Irish comedian was appearing at this year’s Northern Catholic Conference (NCC), which is an annual fixture in Liverpool Hope University’s calendar.

He not only attended the social evening (which is traditionally scheduled for the middle evening of the conference), but he also participated in a special commemoration service to mark the outstanding life of the late Fr Jimmy Collins.

Canon Collins, who was parish priest of St Joseph the Worker in Kirkby for 30 years, died in April aged 94 – just three months short of the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination. He was known to many as “Fr Jimmy” and “priest of the people”.

His funeral Mass took place on Tuesday 1 May, the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, when a congregation of 2,000 filled Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Patrick Kelly, together with Auxiliary Bishop Tom Williams, retired Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Malone and 82 concelebrating priests from across the Liverpool Archdiocese and beyond.

“Fr Jimmy was a magnificent example of a man who lived life to the full,” says Jimmy Cricket. “He touched the lives of so many people. He has legendary status within his hometown of Liverpool.”

Jimmy’s son, Frankie, who is training to be a Roman Catholic priest and will soon be ordained a deacon, was one of the original members of the group that launched the Northern Catholic Conference a few years ago.

Since that first event, which was held at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool,the NCC has continued to grow since Hope University became its regular venue.

Jimmy Cricket with all the restaurant staff at Liverpool Hope University (a big thank-you to Helen Davis for this photo)

Jimmy with all the restaurant staff at Liverpool Hope University (thanks to Helen Davis for this photo)