WelCom September 2019:
Sue Seconi
Three Palmerston North Diocese clergy members who celebrated their jubilees in July, (l-r): Bishop Owen Dolan, Fr Peter Fahy (main celebrant) and Mons David Bell. Photo: Sue Seconi
‘Blessed are they who have kept the Word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance,’ was the theme of the Jubilarians Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on Saturday 27 July.
Bishop Owen Dolan was ordained on 21 July 1954 in Hawera, Mons David Bell was ordained in Blenheim on 8 July 1969; and Fr Peter Fahy was ordained in Nelson on 9 July 1969.
‘What gathers us today is not just the count of years, whether it be 50 for Dave and Peter or 65 for Owen since hands were laid on them and the Holy Spirit bestowed in priestly ordination,’ Emeritus Bishop Peter Cullinane said in his homily.
‘Still I say it’s not just about so many years and so many places. Today is about milestones of service and witness to faithfulness.’
The trio called to parish life initially, gradually included other ministries. Fr Peter Fahy tertiary-university and scouting chaplaincies, Mons David Bell onto Holy Cross Seminary staff and Vicar General for the Palmerston North Diocese and Bishop Owen Dolan to overseas missions and Episcopal responsibilities.