Fr Jim Daley, a Mill Hill Missionary (MHM) returned on Friday 16th July to celebrate the golden anniversary of his priestly ordination in the Sacred Heart Church, Middlesbrough – known in those days as ‘St Philís’ – where he was ordained and said his first Mass. He was joined by 11 Diocesan priests led by Mgr Gerard Dasey VG, missionary sisters, family and friends.

In his homily, Mgr Dasey spoke of Fr Jim’s journey to priesthood, and of his missionary work in Uganda and the Falklands. He reminded the congregation of the high regard in which Jim was held by his fellow MHM and quoted from a letter sent to Jim by the Provincial recalling him from Uganda to be Rector of the MHM priests’ retirement home in Liverpool. Monsignor stressed the importance of prayer for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and the importance of families in supporting vocations, quoting from the experience of Fr Jim’s family. He quoted a few anecdotes of Jim’s studies.

At the end of Mass, Fr Jim thanked all who had joined him at the Mass, and all who had helped and supported him over the years, in particular the Knights of St Columba – where his father had been a member. In thanks to them, he had chosen as the final Hymn ‘Faith of our Fathers’.