Seven of our nine Jubilarians (see list below) joined Bishop Drainey and a large number of their brother priests at the Cathedral on 11th June to celebrate both their Jubilees and to draw to a conclusion the Year for Priests. They were joined by friends as well as current and former parishioners.

In his homily, the Bishop stressed the importance of service and spiritual renewal, saying that these were two of the objectives of the Year for Priests.

Before the final blessing, the Bishop brought the Year of Priests to a conclusion with the following address and all joined in with St John Vianney’s prayer:

Dear friends in Christ

In these final days of the Year for Priests, let us ask all in our Diocese to support our priests in their ministry of leading men and women to God, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel and its message of hope.

In a special way, I ask you to pray for my own ministry of Bishop, that I may joyfully continue to serve and build up the Church with holiness, unity and truth in this Diocese of Middlesbrough.

In this Year for Priests, Pope Benedict has declared St John Vianney the universal patron of priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Cure d’Ars.

I ask my brother priests and all our people gathered here to join me in the prayer prayed by St John Vianney.

Dear Lord

We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle round your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.

We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words ‘Do whatever he tells you‘ (John 2:5).

May your priests have the heart of St Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own precious heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross.

May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love, seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls.

St John Vianney pray for us.

Amen

Priestly Jubilees 2010

Diamond – 60 Years

• Rev Michael Lambe (4th March 1950)
• Rev Patrick Grant (11th June 1950)
• Rev Joseph Brennan (16th July 1950)

Golden – 50 Years

• Rev David Hynes (11th June 1960)
• Rev Peter Ryan (16th June 1960)

Ruby – 40 Years

• Very Rev Canon Michael Bayldon (22nd February 1970)
• Rev Patrick Smith (31st May 1970)
• Rev Francis Gallagher (13th June 1970)

Silver – 25 Years

• Very Rev Canon Michael Loughlin (26th October 1985)

Frs Lamb and Grant were unable to be present with us – Fr Lamb is enjoying his retirement in Liverpool and Fr Grant is currently in nursing care in Kilrush, County Clare.

J Whiston

photos by Les Clark