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Tuesday, June 7, 2022

THAT OLD RUGGED CROSS AND MY PRIESTLY ORDINATION ON JUNE 7, 1980…

 Also ordained is Fr. John Lyons who retired last July and Fr. Thomas Campbell who died several years ago.

The plain rugged cross was thrust into my hand by a child as I departed the cathedral after my ordination on June 7, 1980.I have no idea who the child was and have never found out. Maybe an angel. I have kept it all these years as it was/is the best ordination gift I received! And a few photos:















9 comments:

TJM said...

Nice stache! And a wonderful picture with your parents! You certainly have grown in your priesthood. We are in the same age group so I know how was challenging for you swimming against the tide. I imagine most priests ordained at that time are still stuck in “That 70s Show!”

Fr. Michael J. Kavanaugh said...

Do you recall who that is knneling next to the three of you who are prostrate? Kenneally?

Fr. Allan J. McDonald said...

Yes, he was the MC.

rcg said...

Nice story. Nice photos. Nice ‘stache. You helped save many souls. Well done.

Anonymous said...

Father McDonald, God raised you to serve His True Church as His holy priest.

Father, thank you for your service to God and His Holy People. Father, thank you for your important blog. Father, thank you for having allowed me to post comments to your blog.

Father McDonald, you have blessed me.

Thank you.

Mark Thomas


-- Saint John Chrysostom: "...God has bestowed a power on priests greater than that of our natural parents. For our natural parents generate us unto this life only, but the others unto that which is to come."

V for Vendee said...

A cross but not a crucifix. Reminds me of those awful crucifixes all over St. Joseph’s/Candler which shows Our Lord on the cross about ready to fly off. Sisters of Mercy like most orders have fallen far since the revolution of the 60s

V for Vendee said...

Father forgot to thank you for your service to Our Lord and his church and I’m wishing you every blessing in your retirement and please don’t forget us black sheep at the Cathedrals TLM

Mark said...

Wonderful memories! I did not know Father Lyons, but I did get to know Father Campbell quite well. He was a real character—and a delightful one.

Sophia said...

Sophia here: Thanks for sharing those memories from that momentous day with us! I agree with all the wonderful sentiments expressed here. Holy Mother Church, and more specifically the Diocese of Savannah and all the many parishioners you have nurtured as a good shepherd have been so blessed that you said a lifelong "yes" to your call. You have already had a lasting impact on many, many, many of us. But thanks for the assurance that, as all good shepherds, you will continue to serve because your retirement merely means a stepping away from administrative duties- which should allow for some well-deserved extended vacation time.

May God continue to Bless you and your service.