Golden jubilee celebration for Rathkenny native priest

The retired parish priest of Stansted in London, Fr Joe White, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination recently in St Patrick's Church, Trim.

A native of Grangegeeth in Rathkenny parish, Fr White was ordained to the priesthood on 18th June 1972 by the then Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Dermot Ryan, in All Hallows College.

The college was founded in 1842 by a Meath priest, Fr John Hand, to send priests with the emigrating Irish all over the world.

Fr White chose his ministry in the Diocese of Brentwood covering the east end of London and county of Essex where he spent 42 years in eight different parishes.

Prior to his ordination, Fr White was a member of An Garda Siochana for six years.

He returned to Ireland several years ago and now lives in Clonbun, Trim, where the parish priest, Fr Paul Crosbie, a fellow Rathkenny native, celebrated the Jubilee Mass.

Fr Crosbie explained that the Diocese of Meath is looking forward to the ordination of another Rathkenny man, Deacon Barry White, on Sunday 17th July.