St Catharine's College appoints new Chaplain

We are delighted to announce the appointment of the Rev’d Alexandra Barrett to the Chaplaincy of St Catharine’s College. Ally will take up her role at the start of Easter term, and comes to us from Westcott House theological college in Cambridge where she has been Director of Pastoral Studies, teaching pastoral, contextual and practical theology.

Following a music degree at Clare College, Ally worked as a research assistant for the Theology Through the Arts project, then trained for ordination at Westcott, spending eleven years in parish ministry and a year as a children's minister in the USA before returning to Westcott as a tutor in 2015. Her research and writing interests include the integration of theology and human experience in relation to preaching and worship, especially baptism, and reflective practice.  She is also a published hymn writer, and last year she won the Hymns for Peace Competition for a hymn commemorating the Armistice. In her spare time she enjoys painting, experimental vegan cooking, and spending time with her family.

Speaking of her appointment, Ally said, "I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as Chaplain for St Catharine's. Through my daughter's experience of singing in the Girls' Choir I have already experienced something of the warmth of community and outward looking ethos for which Catz is known. I look forward very much to working alongside students and staff to encourage and resource the continued living out of these values in the life of the College, through the liturgical and musical ministry of the Chapel and the provision of pastoral care, and through the promotion of wellbeing and human flourishing for all."