More than 40 Diocesan priests joined Bishop Terry and six of our seven jubilarians in a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Cathedral on 12th June.
In his homily, Bishop Terry thanked them for their ‘315 years of priestly service to the Diocese’, and asked for prayers for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. He reminded the priests of their commitment made on their ordination day, and asked them to think back about one moment in that ceremony, and asked the people never to forget their priests. He used the occasion of the Mass to launch the ‘Year of Priesthood’ in the Diocese which at Pope Benedict’s request is to start across the world on the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
The Diocesan Choir led by Fr Stephen Maughan was joined by St Augustine’s Junior School Choir, and the Bishop thanked them and all who had joined in the Mass, especially those who had come from afar for the celebration.
Our Jubilarians
Canon Michael Davern – 12th June 1949
Fr Sean O’Donnell – 14th June 1959
Canon Dan Spaight – 14th June 1959
Fr Michael White – 14th June 1959
Fr Michael Marsden – 2nd March 1969
Fr Joe Crawford – 29th June 1969*
Fr John Loughlin – 12th May 1984
* Fr Crawford who is in Spain could not be present.
Fr Joseph McDonagh would also have celebrated his golden jubilee this summer. He was called to the Lord on 12th May 1992. May he rest in peace. Please reember him and all our priests in your prayers.