Monsignor returns to Kilkenny to mark Golden Jubilee

Just over 50 years later Fr Benedict (Benny) O’Shea, now Monsignor, returned to the Church of St Nicholas in Windgap to celebrate a thanksgiving Mass with his family, fellow clergy, neighbours and friends to mark his Golden Jubilee.

Fr Benny was also joined in concelebrating Mass by his clerical friends and some of his classmates from their six years in St Kieran’s College that went to serve in Ossory, United States, Scotland and England.

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They included Fr Jim Murphy, St Canice’s; Fr Dan Bollard, Thomastown; Fr Eugene O’Sullivan, Scotland and Clara; Fr Ian Doyle, Castlecomer; Fr Liam Cassin, Aghavillar; Fr Willie Dalton, Callan and an tAthair Fearghus Ó Fearghaill, Windgap. Fr Benny also recalled their classmate Fr Eamon Tobin, who died in pandemic times in Florida.

From a family with three generations of clergy and the last ordained priest in the parish, his relations and friends travelled from as far as Australia and London with the readings and prayers being read by his grandnephew and grandnieces.

Reflecting on nervously celebrating his first Mass in the parish after his ordination on June 11, 1972, it was one of the first and great celebrations in the recently opened New Church and was followed by a personal blessing for all the attendance.

Fr Benny recalled his parents Michael and Bridget, along with his uncle, Fr Jack (John) who was an inspirational figure and died in London just six months short of his own Golden Jubilee and his aunt Sr Monica (Agnes) with the Cistercians in Glencairn.

Also the clergy who led the church and the changes in Bearna na Gaoithe in his youth Fr Pat Darcy, Fr Geoff Brennan and Fr Garret Phelan.

After his ordination Fr. Benny reflected on his first posting in St Joseph’s parish in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton and his work in the then largest Catholic School in England the Cardinal Newman School in Hove.

After serving in different parishes in the diocese he worked on the missions in Peru with Fr Liam Byrne. While there they served a parish of 35,000 people spread out over 120 camps and villages, the only access being by horse or mule.

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Thanking everyone for their great support in every form over the years, and having travelled the world he is still in awe of the sight of the stars and galaxies that can be seen clearly in the night sky around Garryricken on his visits home to his extended family members brothers John, Pat, sister Marie and aunt Chrissie.

On Saturday, June 11 last year Fr Benny marked his Golden Jubilee in the pandemic restricted times in the diocese of Arundel and Brighton in his parish church of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and St Patrick’s Church on Steyning Road, Rottingdean.

Fr Benny, who has recently retired from regular parish work, will celebrate his farewell Mass in his parish on January 29 and will continue to work in the welfare area.

The beautiful and historic event on Saturday morning was followed by a social get together with Fr Benny attending the Walsh Cup match in John Locke Park on Sunday.