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Parishioners packed into Newry Cathedral at 12 Mass today to celebrate along with Canon Francis Brown on the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood. Archbishop Eamon Martin was present along with Bishop John McAreavey as well as many clergy from throughout the parish to join in the celebrations.
Canon Brown, the current Parish Administrator trained for the Priesthood at St Kieran's College, Kilkenny and was ordained in his home parish of Hilltown on St Columba's Day, 9 June 1974.
He began his ministry in the Diocese of Dromore and in total to date he has spent 22 years in the Parish of Newry.
Canon Kearney in his Homily said "Canon Brown was involved in many things in the Parish in those days in the 70's St John Bosco Youth Club, He taught in the Technical College as it then was known taking students to O Level and A Level Religion as they set out on their journey in life.
"He travelled with young people to Lourdes at Easter Time, worked for years in Cana House, marriage preparation, the Legion of Mary and with the Travelling Community when they were resident in the Middle Bank. All of that he had to do in addition to the normal work as a Priest in the Parish."
Canon Kearney added a tribute to two Deacons "In recent years we've had Deacons in the Diocese whose contribution has been invaluable but sadly when I think of Newry and Deacons I always remember John McClelland and Brendan McAllister who were taken from us long long before their time."
Canon Brown spent 28 years in St Colman's College. While at the College he achieved a Doctorate in Education in 2001. He became Vice President in 1994, and President in 2000.
Canon Kearney added "He spared no effort ensuring that the pupils receive the best possible start in life. Together with the staff, they created a centre of excellence in education. We pay tribute to them all, and to those who have gone before him, some of whom are present with us today. A very impressive extension was put in place and in addition, playing fields and running tracks were created, which were not only a benefit to the school, but as well to the community at large, which has been tremendous. We acknowledge the leading role played by Fr Brown in all of those developments. But all good things come to an end and Newry called again 14 years ago Canon returned to become Administrator."
Canon Kearney said it was hard to believe that he came to Newry as a team of 8 priests as rolling the clock forward to the present day there are now just a total of 8 priests in the Parishes of Newry, Saval, Warrenpoint, Rostrevor, Burren, Mayobridge, Hilltown and Rathfriland combined.
He concluded "today as a Parish and on behalf of his family and friends, we congratulate Canon Brown on the Golden Jubilee of his ordination. We appreciate the tremendous contribution that he has made to our diocese, the Parish of Newry and Saval and St Colman's College.
"May the years that are ahead bring you health, happiness and God's blessing and may you continue to look powerful well."
Also speaking at the celebration Archbishop Martin talked of the important milestone. "it's a wonderful milestone for you to be here with your people, with the people of Newry, whom you have served so generously and so diligently over so many years. I know it's a special day for you and it probably brings back memories of your own ordination day. Was it Bishop Eugene? [Bishop Eugene O'Doherty] Of course - I'm super pleased to think it was a Derry diocesan man who did that and I'm really pleased to be here today to be marking this important milestone for you."
The Archbishop continued "On behalf of Bishop John and of course all of the clergy the priests, the deacons, and the many religious of the Diocese, and of course the people of God whom you served. I want to wish you every blessing for the future. Today's the feast of St Columba patron saint of my own city, and I know that for me St Columba represents so much of what I want to do as a priest and as a member of God's people, to be someone who's close to God, to be someone who dedicates his life completely to his people, and to be a great missionary.
And I think you yourself have done that Canon Brown, in so many ways, with so many people and I think in a special way, as Canon Kearney brought out in his beautiful homily, to the people of Newry and this surrounding area, to the young people, to the older people, to be with the people in their joyful moments, their happy moments, but also to be there for them in their sad and tragic days and I think you have done just that.
Archbishop Martin concluded "Just before St Columcille died he wrote a message for his monks and for his followers. He says May you always have among you, mutual charity with peace, and that's my wish for you today that you'll always have charity and peace and the love of God with you this day and always. 'Ad multos annos' - many many more years in the Priesthood."
