Rathkenny rolls out red carpet to celebrate PP's golden jubilee

Parishioners of Rathkenny were joined by the Bishop of Meath and several other members of the clergy to mark the recent 50th anniversary of parish priest Fr Gerry Stanley's ordination to the priesthood. The golden jubilee occasion began with Mass in the Church of Ss Louis and Mary, followed by a social gathering in Rathkenny Parish Hall. A native of Mullingar, Fr Stanley was ordained on 19th June 1960. His priestly ministry began with the Columban Fathers in Peru, until his return to the Diocese of Meath in 1965. He then served as a curate in Ratoath, Rochfortbridge and Kilcloon until his appointment as parish priest in Rathkenny on 18th 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 his father who 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?" Fr Sheeran asked. "He gave it little thought then, but has often done so since, always with gratitude and the conviction that God knows best." 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 had made to serving the Gospel in the Diocese of Meath. Fr Stanley explained that he was celebrating the Mass with three chalices that were important to him. One chalice was donated in memories of his parents, another was given to him by the mission community in Peru, and the third chalice was one he uses every day, dated 1782, belonging to the parish of Rathkenny, where he said 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 Fr 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. Also in attendance was Fr Stanley's brother, Joe; his sister-in-law, Miriam, niece and nephew. The choirs of Rushwee, Grangegeeth and Rathkenny combined to provide the music at the Mass. There followed a social evening in the local community hall where Fr Stanley cut his golden jubilee cake. Marian Devin, on behalf of the parishioners, made a presentation to Fr Stanley to mark the occasion and music on the night was provided by Paddy and Oliver Reilly.