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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

MY 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIESTHOOD CELEBRATION!

My staff organized a parish wide surprise celebration of my 30th anniversary as a priest. They had it on Father's Day, although I was ordained on June 7, 1980. I knew nothing about it although early on Sunday I began to feel like I was in the "Twilight Zone." People kept wishing me happy anniversary. I could smell food cooking in the Church from our social hall beneath the Church--clash of food and incense, not a pretty smell! Then I saw my mother who'll be 91 on October 18th, my sister Elizabeth, brother-in-law Bob Smith and two close friends Paul and Linda McKneely sneaking into the 12:10 Mass. Then I knew I had been had! But it was great being had! Thank you to all who made this possible. I'll get even one day!

My staff had a parishioner make this beautiful kneeler as their gift to me. I guess they think I don't pray enough!

My 90 1/2 year old mother and me!

Mama Mia!
30 years has been a nice slice of life!

I want my cake and eat it too!

Only picture I could find of my sister to my right with her back to the camera, then my friend Linda and her husband Paul:

7 comments:

Templar said...

The gift of a kneeler, I am soooooo jealous. ;-)

Perhaps we can borrow it during Communion?

Anonymous said...

Maybe your parishioners just want you to be holy, therefore the kneeler Padre. Congratulations on your 30 years. May God grant you many more!

Michael Brough said...

Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary from all the gang in NJ. Great to see your mother and sister in good form too.

Many blessings on you and your ministry!

Sr Elizabeth said...

Sorry I missed it; sounds like it was a great celebration. May God continue to bless you with his abundant graces. Thank you for your generous service to the Church.

St Ann's Parish said...

Many congratulations and prayers on the occasion of your a
nniversary, Father.

I can't believe your mother is 90 years old! She looks fantastic.

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

Thank you Fr Míċeál Beatty for your kind words and yes she looks and feels pretty good for her age and this is someone who lived through Nazi and American bombing of her hometown of Livrono, Italy during WWII, lived in a cave after their apartment building was destroyed and has had malaria, cancer and other maladies over the years! God bless you.

AAA said...

AD MULTOS ANNOS, PADRE!