Published: Wednesday, 30th June, 2010 5:00pm

Mullingar-born priest's Golden Jubilee marked in Meath

Rathkenny Parish in Co. Meath celebrated the 50th anniversary of Mullingar-born Fr Gerry Stanley's priestly ordination on Monday of last week, June 21. The Golden Jubilee occasion began with Mass in the Church of Saints Louis and Mary, followed by a social gathering in Rathkenny Parish Hall.

A native of Bishopsgate Street, Mullingar, Fr Stanley, whose father was the well-known local playwright, Dr. AJ Stanley, author of "Troubled Bachelors", was ordained on 19 June 1960. His priestly ministry began with the Columban Fathers in Peru, until his return to the Diocese of Meath in 1965. He served as a curate in Ratoath, Rochfortbridge and Kilcloon until his appointment as Parish Priest on 18 August 1988.

Preaching the homily at the Mass of Thanksgiving, Fr Michael Sheerin (Parish Priest of Lobinstown) recalled the newly ordained priest's decision to go on the missions in 1960. He reflected on how Fr Stanley's mother had died after a long illness, just three years before, and a father had passed away just a year later. "He sometimes wonders - naturally so - had both still lived, would he have taken that road to far-off places that opened up before him now - was it the providence of God, or that Irish wanderlust so often part of a story, that drew him away from the scenes of his boyhood in Mullingar? He gave it little thought then, but has often done so since, always with gratitude and the conviction that God knows best."

"At a Golden Jubilee", Fr Sheerin explained, "it is not the builder of churches, schools, halls, and houses who invites our prayers and good wishes for him and all who sing the jubilee song. It is another, the one who builds a bridge between God and people. For what does all else matter or mean, if this is the bridge neglected? To celebrate a priest's Golden Jubilee is to acclaim again the fanning into flame of God's priceless gift - 'not a spirit of timidity, but the spirit of power, of love, and of self-control … brave under trials, making the preaching of the Good News, your life's work, in thoroughgoing service'".

Presiding at the Jubilee Mass, Bishop Michael Smith noted that this celebration took place the day after another new priest, Fr Joe Campbell, was ordained in his home parish of Rosemount, Co. Westmeath. "As one priest sets out on his ministry, another celebrates 50 years of faithful dedication to the Lord", the Bishop said, thanking Fr Stanley for his dedication and for the contribution he has made to serving the Gospel in the Diocese of Meath.

The visibly emotional Fr Stanley explained that he was celebrating the Mass with three chalices that are important to him. One chalice was donated in memories of his parents; another was given to him by the mission community in Peru; the third chalice is one he uses every day, dated 1782, belonging to the parish of Rathkenny, where he has been deeply grateful to serve for the past 22 years.

The Mass was concelebrated by Rathkenny natives Fr Michael Meade and Fr Paul Crosbie, as well as the following priests: Fr Michael Sheerin, Fr Peter Farrelly (Beauparc), Fr Frank Carr (Columban Fathers), Fr Joe Deegan (Slane), Fr Declan Hurley (Navan), Fr Denis Nulty (Drogheda) and Fr John O'Brien (Oristown), assisted by local seminarian Barry White.