By Róise Collins
TWO Golden Jubilees are to take place in the Diocese of Raphoe this weekend.
Fr Francis McLoone and Fr Kieran McAteer will both celebrate 50 years since their ordination to the priesthood with events in their respective parishes of Killymard and Stranorlar.
Speaking ahead of the celebration Monsignor Kevin Gillespie praised both priests for giving tremendous service to the diocese.
“Both are deeply respected for their dedication to their ministry to the people and their openness to service to the people in the diocese,” said Mgr Gillespie.
For many years Fr. McLoone served as administrator at St Eunan’s Cathedral, where he oversaw the building of the Church of the Irish Martyrs. He also did a lot of work to develop a ministry in the parish and the Adoration Chapel at St. Eunan’s Cathedral.
For close to 20 years Fr. McLoone has served as parish priest in the parish of Killymard, where he is “deeply loved and appreciated”.
A special Golden Jubilee Mass will be celebrated tonight (Friday) in St. Mary’s Church, Killymard at 7pm followed by refreshments in the St. John Bosco Centre.
Fr Kieran McAteer also served as administrator at St Eunan’s Cathedral, previous to that he served many years as curate.
“His memory is very much still alive in Letterkenny,” said Msgr Gillespie.
Fr McAteer also spent a significant amount of time on a mission in Peru. He now serves as the parish priest in Stranorlar.
The Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood will be celebrated on Sunday. Mass will be celebrated in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Stranorlar at 6pm followed by refreshments in the Villa Rose Hotel.
Meanwhile, Monsignor Dan Carr and Canon Dinny McGettigan will both celebrate their Diamond Jubilees later this month.
A Mass celebrating Mgr Carr’s 60 year ordination to the priesthood takes place on Thursday, June 12 at 7.30pm in St. Baithin’s Church, St. Johnston. Refreshments will be provided after Mass in the Resource Centre.
Canon McGettigan will celebrate his Diamond Jubilee on Friday, June 20 at 7pm in St. Eunan’s Church, Raphoe followed by light refreshments in Deele College.
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)