St. Bartholomew's Polyphony Choir

Father Tom Cooper
Parish Priest

I come from Wicklow, Ireland and was born in 1945. I was educated locally and then attended St. Patrick's Seminary in Maynooth, County Kildare.

I was ordained on 20th December 1970 and my first appointment was English Martyrs, Streatham. I have also served in St. Mary Cray, Addiscombe and Biggin Hill parishes, and for 16 years I was the parish priest at St. Teresa's Ashford, Kent.

My interests include golf, skiing, windsurfing, food, wine and opera. I was inducted as Parish Priest at St. Bartholomew's on 5th December 2004 and took up the post of Parish Priest on 10th December.

Father Deodat Msahala
Assistant Priest

I was born on 8th August 1953 in Tanzania, East Africa and ordained priest on 20th December 1980.

I studied Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Bristol and Moral Theology at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome.

For 15 years I was a parish priest in my home diocese of Mahenge, Tanzania. Following that I became Treasurer General of the diocese for 3½ years and then Director of Formation for 4 year.

Prior to my appointment here I worked in the parish of St John the Evangelist, Gravesend since 2008. I have also studied Ecumenism and Scripture in Jerusalem for 1 year. I am very happy to be here with you and look forward to getting to know you.

Deacon Paul Milligan
Permanent Deacon

I was Ordained 15th July 2000 here at St. Bartholomew's. I have lived in the parish since 1983, and am married to Monica, our parish secretary. We have five grown-up children and three grandchildren, and I work for the Diocese in the Finance Office.

I was born in Dublin and grew up in the parish of St. Bede, Clapham Park. I spent a few years at the Junior Seminary as a youth, but gave up my vocation and completed my education at Clapham College (now St. Francis Xavier College) and Sussex University.

Family and career have tended to dominate my life for the past three decades. However I enjoy reading, particularly philosophy and theology, and listening to music (the Beatles, Tamla Motown and anything pre-1900). I enjoy cooking, when Monica lets me free in the kitchen.