Bishop John Crowley joined 14 of his fellow retired Diocesan priests for the annual Retired Priests Reunion hosted by Bishop Terence on 13th November in York. The event began as always with Concelebrated Mass followed by lunch and social get together exchanging reminiscences over many years.

During Mass, the Bishop remembered retired priests who had died over the past year – Frs Michael O’Connor, Peter Coleman and Austin O’Neill – and also our retired priests who are too frail to attend as well as Canon Davern who had damaged his hand and was unable to attend the party. In brief comments at the end of the lunch, the Bishop welcomed Bishop John back to the Diocese and said he hoped that he would be a regular attendee at the Reunion. He thanked all the priests for their many years of devoted service and also the work they were still doing by providing cover for sickness and holidays. Bishop John replied on behalf of the retired brethren thanking Bishop Terence for the reunion and for his support to the retired priests. He mentioned that when he had come to the Diocese in 1993, many round the table were carrying out major pastoral duties and it was good to see them now enjoying a more restful ministry.