Thursday 8 June 2023 marked a day of celebration for five priests in our archdiocese as they celebrated their diamond jubilee of ordination into the priesthood, a combined total of 300 years.

Canon Joseph Kelly, Canon Patrick MacNally, Monsignor Michael McKenna, Fr Peter Morgan and Fr Joseph Robinson were all ordained into the priesthood 60 years ago on 8 June 1963.

To mark his diamond jubilee, there was a Mass of thanksgiving for Canon MacNally’s 60 years of service at St. Jude’s Church in Wigan, which was attended by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, Bishop Tom Neylon, priests from across the archdiocese, the Mayor of Wigan and the Consul General of Ireland (for the North of England) Sarah Mangan.

Parishioner Mark O’Brien said: “Canon MacNally was very keen to have a Mass based on the Good Shepherd and the readings were chosen by him on this basis. He also chose the hymns, including two particular favourites: one composed for the International Eucharistic Congress he attended in Dublin in 2012 ‘Though we are many, we are one body’ and ‘Our Lady of Knock’ which was very fitting for our man from County Mayo! 

“The Responsorial Psalm was sung by the choirs of the St. Jude’s and St. Aidan’s Primary Schools and we were delighted they joined us after Mass for refreshments and buffet lunch in St. Jude’s Social Club.”

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Their celebrations came nine days after Canon Vincent Burrowes celebrated 70 years since he was ordained into the priesthood.

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