Father Gerald Flood
After 30 years of fruitful and faithful ministry in Biggin Hill, Fr Flood has offered his resignation to Archbishop Peter. This was accepted. For the time being Fr Flood is in Fairlight and Fallowfield Nursing Home in Chislehurst awaiting to move to a permanent home. Fr Ivan Aquilina has been appointed by the Archbishop as Parish Administrator. Fr Ivan's contact details are available in the contacts provided on this website under the Home tab. All of us here are looking forward to have the opportunity to thank Fr Flood publicly in the near future.
Fr. Gerry, the eldest of five children was born at Southsea, Hants in 1931. From a very early age he thought about becoming a priest, like St. Theresa he was very much influenced by the example of his fine Catholic parents and loving brothers and sisters. His brother Eric is also a priest and served in the Arundel and Brighton dicocese, Gerald attended the St. Frances Cabrini school in Forest Hill. During his childhood years he enjoyed attending and serving Mass in the local parish church, he remembers these days fondly and always has a great story to tell. He particulary remembers, but with regret, the occasion he (accidently) set another altar servers' hair alight by not holding a candle in the correct manner!
In 1956, after completing his studies at St. John's Seminary, Wonersh he was ordained to the Priesthood. In over fifty years of ministry Father has served in many different parishes throughout the Southwark diocese, including the Cathedral parish of St. George. In the 1980s Fr. Flood arrived in Biggin Hill and has been here ever since, thus making him the longest serving cleric to have worked in this parish since the Reformation! He is much loved in the local community and respected by Catholics and non Catholics alike. He has a great ecumenical ethos and is very much for dialogue between Biggin Hill's different denominations. Father is the President of the Biggin Hill Romania Group and co founder of the charity "Deptford Reach" (a charity for the homeless) which he helped form when he was serving at Our Lady of the Assumption in Deptford. Donations to both charities are very much welcomed and Father very much appreciates any unwanted male clothing for "Deptford Reach".
Fr. Gerry, the eldest of five children was born at Southsea, Hants in 1931. From a very early age he thought about becoming a priest, like St. Theresa he was very much influenced by the example of his fine Catholic parents and loving brothers and sisters. His brother Eric is also a priest and served in the Arundel and Brighton dicocese, Gerald attended the St. Frances Cabrini school in Forest Hill. During his childhood years he enjoyed attending and serving Mass in the local parish church, he remembers these days fondly and always has a great story to tell. He particulary remembers, but with regret, the occasion he (accidently) set another altar servers' hair alight by not holding a candle in the correct manner!
In 1956, after completing his studies at St. John's Seminary, Wonersh he was ordained to the Priesthood. In over fifty years of ministry Father has served in many different parishes throughout the Southwark diocese, including the Cathedral parish of St. George. In the 1980s Fr. Flood arrived in Biggin Hill and has been here ever since, thus making him the longest serving cleric to have worked in this parish since the Reformation! He is much loved in the local community and respected by Catholics and non Catholics alike. He has a great ecumenical ethos and is very much for dialogue between Biggin Hill's different denominations. Father is the President of the Biggin Hill Romania Group and co founder of the charity "Deptford Reach" (a charity for the homeless) which he helped form when he was serving at Our Lady of the Assumption in Deptford. Donations to both charities are very much welcomed and Father very much appreciates any unwanted male clothing for "Deptford Reach".
It should be mentioned that the above picture was taken on the occasion of the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard Moth of the Armed Forces, who was in fact an altar server to Fr. Flood in his youth. At Father's 80th brithday celebrations the bishop remarked "it's because of Fr. Gerry that I wear a dog collar today"!
Now in his 80s Father Flood continues to be the guiding force of Biggin Hill's RC community and always the life and soul of the party! One man who decided to become a Catholic once remarked: "Well if that's what the Catholic faith does to you, then show me where I can sign up!".
Let us keep Fr. Flood in our prayers.
Now in his 80s Father Flood continues to be the guiding force of Biggin Hill's RC community and always the life and soul of the party! One man who decided to become a Catholic once remarked: "Well if that's what the Catholic faith does to you, then show me where I can sign up!".
Let us keep Fr. Flood in our prayers.