A service of welcome and commitment to shared ministry, for the Revd Fr Herbert Fadriquela as Vicar of the Parish of St Aidan New Parks, Braunstone Frith and Kirby Frith, was held at St Aidan’s Church recently.
Fr Herbert’s Collation and Induction was conducted by the Lord Bishop of Leicester, The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, accompanied by the Bishop of Richborough, The Rt Revd Luke Irvine-Capel.
Currently Anglican Chaplain to the Filipino Community in Leicester, Fr Herbert will continue this role alongside his appointment as Vicar in the Benefice.
What has been your route to this role in the diocese and how does it complement your chaplaincy role?
My ministry has always been guided by God's call to walk with people who are often forgotten or living on the margins of society. In the Philippines, I spent 15 years working in community development alongside landless farm workers, fisherfolk, Indigenous peoples, and poor urban communities.
Throughout those years, I was inspired by the words of Jesus: Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40)
In July 2014, I was appointed Chaplain to the Filipino Community in the Diocese of Leicester, serving in a non-stipendiary role while also supporting the Holy Spirit Team Ministry at St Andrew’s, Jarrom Street, and St Nicholas Church. I also volunteered with the Chaplaincy Team at Leicester Royal Infirmary and served as a Street Pastor in Leicester city centre. These ministries gave me many opportunities to share Christ's love through listening, praying, and simply being present with people in times of need.
In 2017, I joined the Mission to Seafarers as Port Chaplain in Felixstowe and Ipswich. In 2022, I was seconded to serve the Humber ports of Hull, Immingham, Groveport, Goole, and Grimsby, while continuing my ministry with the Filipino Community in Leicester.
Through these different ministries, I have come to see that caring for Filipinos, both on land and at sea, is an important part of the Church's mission. Many migrant workers leave their families, homes, and churches behind to provide a better future for those they love. In doing so, they often carry the heavy burdens of loneliness, sacrifice, homesickness, and uncertainty. They deserve the Church's care, encouragement, friendship, and prayers.
Caring for migrant workers is one way of showing the compassionate love of Christ, who said: I was a stranger and you welcomed me.(Matthew 25:35)
In 2024, the Filipino Chaplaincy found its spiritual home at St Aidan's Church. Since then, we have celebrated Mass on the first Saturday of every month. It has been a great joy to see this worshipping community grow in faith, friendship, and service as we continue to support one another in our Christian journey.
How does this role reflect your calling?
On 10 June 2026, I was licensed as Vicar of the Parish of St Aidan, New Parks, Braunstone Frith, and Kirby Frith. I accepted this calling with humility and deep gratitude to God, trusting in His promise: The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.(1 Thessalonians 5:24)
This new ministry continues the calling God first placed on my heart many years ago: to proclaim the Gospel through both words and actions. I remain inspired by Jesus' mission:
To bring good news to the poor... to proclaim release to the captives... and to let the oppressed go free. (Luke 4:18–19)
What are your hopes for ministry in the benefice and the wider community?
I look forward to serving everyone in the parish - Christians, people of other faiths, and those with no faith - with humility, compassion, and respect. I hope to work alongside local residents, schools, community organisations, and other partners so that together we may help our neighbourhoods become places where people can flourish.
New Parks, Braunstone Frith, and Kirby Frith are communities rich in gifts, resilience, and hope, even though they continue to face many social and economic challenges. I look forward to walking alongside the people through a ministry of presence, faithful witness, pastoral care, and loving service.
My prayer is that St Aidan's will always be a warm, welcoming, and Christ-centred church where everyone can experience God's love, discover hope, and grow in faith. Together, may we faithfully serve "the lost, the last, and the least." May we build God's Kingdom through justice, mercy, and humble service (Micah 6:8), making Christ known in our neighbourhoods by the way we love and care for one another.
May every step of our journey bring us closer to the fulfilment of the parish vision, inspired by Revelation 7:9: A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
May this vision continue to guide my ministry and remind me that God's Kingdom is a community where all people are welcomed, valued, and united in Christ.