Canon Michael Davern celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for his 60 years of priesthood at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hessle, where he has supplied for most of the ten years since he retired from St Joseph’s, Anlaby. He was joined by Fr Michael Marsden, parish priest, whose ruby jubilee had been celebrated earlier this year and Fr Francis Gallagher, parish priest of Pocklington.

Canon Michael, in his homily to a packed church, thanked the parish for all they had done for him since he ‘retired’ from parish ministry. He reminded them that in 1958, there were 28 priests serving the city of Hull whilst now there were only six. He asked the people to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He thanked everybody for the hundreds of cards, letters and presents he had received.

Fr Michael invited everyone to join in a celebration buffet in the Hall during which Charlotte Stephenson give a display of traditional Irish dancing and Canon cut his celebration cake.

Ad Multos Annos.