On this day, December 18th, fifty-two years ago my eight classmates and I were ordained priests in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Newry, Co Down by Most Rev. Eugene O’Doherty, Bishop of Dromore.
Sadly, four of that group have departed this world. May they rest in peace.
Unfortunately, I don’t have an ordination day picture of the class here with me at present, but I do have this one taken when we were ordained deacons in June of 1968.
Back row (l-r): Frs. Jim Kirstein, R.I.P., Jackie Brennan, A.B. O’Shea, Paul D’Arcy, R.I.P. and Mick Hassett, R.I.P.
Front row (l-r): Frs. Tom Fenlon, Cathal McKenna, Vincent O’Neil, R.I.P. and Niko Flavin.