In pictures: Monsignor Dan Carr reflects on a world 'change' at diamond jubilee

Click on the arrows to go through the photos from Monsignor Dan Carr's diamond jubilee

Monsignor Dan Carr, the former parish priest of St Johnston, celebrated his diamond jubilee on Thursday night.

Born in Fanad in 1939, he was ordained by the then Archbishop John Charles McQuaid in Maynooth in 1965 and a huge crowd packed into St Baithin’s Church to mark his milestone.

Raphoe Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Kevin Gillespie and Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe Philip Boyce were among those present. 

Monsignor Carr reflected on a lifetime of change - in the world and the Church.

He was born at the outset of World War II, a time when Ireland was “in a very poor position” and he touched how, in spite of its standing as a so-called “rich country”, Ireland remains beset in parts by poverty.

He said: “Our politicians and particularly those who look after money maters tell us that we are among the rich countries of the world. And yet you only have to open the papers to see the immense poverty that we have and the many people living in situations that are far from what we’d like.”

In a wide-ranging and often thought-provoking, Homily, Monsignor Carr reflected on the current conflicts in the world and the sex abuse scandal that brought shame on the Church.

It was, though, he said a “happy day” as he marked 60 years since his ordination to the priesthood. 

He reflected with fondness his time at St Eunan’s College, where he was the president, and recalled three influence priests from the Raphoe Diocese - Fr Charles O’Callaghan, Fr James O’Doherty and Fr Patrick Muldoon - from his time in Maynooth.

Monsignor Carr still resides in St Johnston as Pastor Emeritus. His length of service in the border village has been such that he has been there for over 22% of the lifespan of St Baithin’s Church - which was dedicated in 1860.

He remembered how he was surprised by “how few children were at school after the summer holidays” when he was first posted to the old Taughboyne parish, but added: “I discovered then that they were out in the fields, gathering potatoes to supplement the house.”

The arrival of the potato harvester soon had the classrooms rather more fuller by the time the 1990s came around.

In a mixed community on the border, St Johnston presented some unique circumstances, but Monsignor Carr said: “Ecumenism was being lived among this community before it was ever lived in the modern language of our day.”

As well as a large group of priestly colleagues from across the Raphoe Diocese, he was also joined by two St Johnston-born priests: Fr Oliver McCrossan who recently toasted his golden jubilee and Fr Declan Gibson, who jetted in early from Connecticut, where he is now based, to be part of the celebrations.

Monsignor Carr previously worked at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, where he was President from 1982 until 1988 when he was appointed as the parish priest in St Johnston, succeeding Dr Daniel Cunnea.

When Bishop Seamus Hegarty transferred to the Derry Diocese and the See of Raphoe became vacant, Fr Carr became the Apostolic Administrator of the Raphoe Diocese. Having then been made a Prelate of Honour, with the title of Monsignor, in December 1996, he was appointed as the Vicar General of the Diocese by Bishop Boyce before becoming a Canon to the Cathedral Chapter in 2000.

Bishop Boyce thanked Monsignor Carr, who he described as a “faithful servant”, for all that he has done in the Diocese.

“We thank him for his excellent work,” Bishop Boyce said.

“He was faithful to all that he had to do. You could rely on him and a lot of priests would say the same thing. You could be sure that he would do it and do it well. 

“He was there always to give me good advice and wise counsel. I was blessed to have him. 

“I am sure that the Lord would say ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ because that is what he was. I wish him many years of good health and peace and prosperity.”

Monsignor Gillespie read the gospel while readings were given by Bridget Duffy and Meg O’Donnell with Prayers of the Faithful read by Theresa Gibson and Michael Carr. Amy Meehan provided the music and the gifts were carried by Peggy Morris and Philomena Duffy, Monsignor Carr’s sisters.

Monsignor Gillespie was a pupil at St Eunan’s during Fr Carr’s presidency and he said: “From talent to truancy, every little escaped the notice of Fr Carr. I also remember the good humour with which you exercised your presidency of the college.”

Monsignor Gillespie told the congregation how Monsignor Carr has a “quizzical humour” and thanked him for his service, generosity and fidelity.

He added: “Above all, he has a very deep and compassionate heart, an understanding of human situations. Despite your venerable age, still have a keen interest in the wellbeing of the community and the country.”

Read next: In pictures: A night of 'thanksgiving' as Fr Kieran McAteer celebrates golden jubilee

Monsignor Gillespie concluded with the Latin toast “ad multos annos” (“may you have many years”), traditionally given to a priest on the anniversary of ordination.

The native of Ballyheerin on the Fanad peninsula told of the challenge now being to relay the gospel to a society that is becoming ever-more secular.

He added: “I will continue to try to make God a little more meaningful to the lives people entrusted to my care.”