Farewell to departing Sleaford curate

Italian-born Father Ruben has recently moved, with his family, to a parish in Lincoln.

He came to Sleaford in July 2015, having undergone training in Cambridge.

He had previously worked as a science teacher at a school in a deprived area of rural Lancashire near Burnley.

A spokesman for the church said: “A curate is in a training post and it is not unusual for ministry training to be delivered in more than one parish and it was the right point in Fr Ruben’s ministry development to explore new opportunities in a different setting.

“A farewell service was held at St Denys’ at the end of January when cake was served, made by one of the ladies in the congregation, and a presentation was made.”