Archbishop Nolan and some of the Jubilarians at the celebratory Mass
The Feast of SS Simon and Jude on 28th October provided a suitable occasion to celebrate the jubilees of a number of priests in the Archdiocese, from Silver Jubilees right up to one platinum Jubilarian, Fr Des Broderick who is in his 90s. Archbishop Nolan expressed the great pleasure felt by all at being able to come together to celebrate these notable anniversaries for the first time since lockdown.
The jubilarians were joined by fellow priests, family, friends and parishioners for the celebration Mass and there was a real sense of joy in the Cathedral. The readings reflected their vocation, with the first reading from St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians where Paul speaks of them being part of a building that had its foundations on the Apostles, the psalm 18 with its response Their voice has gone out, they fill the earth, the word of the Lord is heard, and the Gospel passage from St Luke recounting the choosing of the Apostles.
In his homily, Archbishop Nolan exclaimed “What a collection of jubilarians” and said this Mass was one of thanksgiving not just by them but by us all for their years of service. He reflected that priests will have days of enthusiasm and days when they just wanted to stay in bed. They will have experienced happy and sad events, times when people appreciated them and times when, even as they bent over backwards to help people, they were taken for granted or even criticised. But then the priesthood was not a job but a vocation, a life of service and today we gave thanks for that service and for the years still ahead. Addressing the jubilarians, he prayed that God would continue to bless them in the days ahead as they continued their service to God and His people.
After the Mass there was a chance for photographs before they went for a celebratory meal in the Curial Offices
