In a packed church on the Feast of Corpus Christi (14th June), the parish of Our Lady, Filey, celebrated the golden jubilee of Fr Sean O’Donnell, its parish priest for the past fourteen years. Bishop Terry, who was in the parish for canonical visitation, presided at the Mass – together with Fr Sean and Canon Pat Harney, who had studied with Fr Sean at St John’s, Waterford in the 1950s – and preached the homily. Sean’s three sisters were present together with other family members and friends; sadly his brother, Seamus, was unable to be present. The family presented the Offertory gifts and led the prayers of the Faithful.

In his homily, Canon Harney painted a brief picture of Sean’s ministry across the Diocese over the past 50 years, and then highlighted the importance of the priest and the Mass, reminding the congregation that the Martyrs of Yorkshire had died so we could celebrate Mass today.

Before the Mass ended, the UCM presented Fr Sean (their chaplain in the Diocese) with a spiritual bouquet and David Harrison presented him with a cheque from the parish.

Bishop Terry, in a short address before the final blessing, opened by saying he had waited till this point in the Mass so that Sean could not give yet another brief ‘homily’, and then went on to thank Sean, his family and the parish for all they had done and were doing – he said he was very pleased with the work being done in the parish. He asked again for prayers for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Fr Sean – not to be outdone – then presented the Bishop with a large framed picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.

The party in the parish hall on the warmest day of summer – up to the present – was most enjoyable with the parish producing a ‘great spread’ and finally, the cutting of the celebration cake.

Ad Multos Annos.