On Monday evening 15th June, in a packed church, Bishop Drainey and 35 priests from across the Diocese joined Canon Dan Spaight at Christ the King, Thornaby, to celebrate his Golden Jubilee. On either side of him were his two co-jubilarians, Fr Sean O’Donnell and Fr Michael White, and they did not forget the late Fr Joe McDonagh who had been ordained with them and served in a number of parishes, finally at St Thomas More, Middlesbrough, where he died some years ago.

Mgr Gerard Dasey, the Vicar General, who had been Canon Dan’s assistant, preached the homily which drew together the readings of the Mass and highlights from Canon Dan’s priestly life, interspersed with a few hilarious comments on their time together in Thornaby.

Canon Dan’s sister and her family were present and his niece sang a song of thanksgiving in Gaelic after Holy Communion.

After Mass, there was a celebratory buffet at the Golden Eagle Hotel when the parish, as part of their gift to Canon Dan, presented a slide show entitled ‘This is Your Life’. They also presented him with a cheque and an electric chair whilst the Bishop presented him with a Papal Blessing on behalf of the parish and thanked him for his service. The Bishop also thanked the parishioners for their devotion to Canon Dan and the church.