In pictures: 'A special evening' as Canon Denis McGettigan marks diamond jubilee

Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher

Canon Denis McGettigan, the former parish priest of Raphoe, celebrated the diamond jubilee of his priestly ordination on Friday night.

A huge crowd converged on St Eunan’s Church in Raphoe as ‘Fr Dinny’ marked the big day by celebrating Mass - exactly 60 years to the day from when he entered the priesthood.

Canon McGettigan retired in 2018 after being the parish priest in Raphoe since 1993, when he succeeded Canon Patrick Deegan, who became Dean of the Cathedral Chapter. 

The then Fr McGettigan, who originally hailed from Kilmacrennan, was the PP in Carrick before being transferred to Raphoe, where he still lives as Pastor Emeritus.

Mass was concelebrated by Monsignor Dan Carr - ordained on the same day as Canon McGettigan and who recently marked his own diamond jubilee - and Archdeacon Willie McMenamin, Pastor Emeritus in Raphoe - who recently marked the sapphire jubilee of his own ordination, 65 years ago.

Raphoe Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Kevin Gillespie and Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe Philip Boyce were among those present with several priests from across the Raphoe Diocese also in attendance with Canon McGettigan’s family.

Parishioners from across the parish, which takes in Raphoe, Convoy and Drumkeen, turned out in large numbers with people also coming from neighbouring parishes and churches. 

Canon McGettigan had a special mention for his long-time friend and colleague, Monsignor Carr, Pastor Emeritus of neighbouring St Johnston. The two were classmates at St Eunan’s College, starting in 1953, and were ordained on the same afternoon, June 20, 1965, in Maynooth by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid.

“We celebrate our diamond jubilee in this jubilee year, a Holy year, a special time for graces and blessings from God,” Canon McGettigan said. 

“It is a very special evening for myself and my good friend, Fr Dan. This jubilee time is a time of special blessing.”

Eight evenings previously, Monsignor Carr celebrated his diamond jubilee at St Baithin’s Church in St Johnston.

Canon McGettigan offered the Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - a Mass he said that was one of thanksgiving. He remembered his own parents and family members who have since deceased. 

He thanked Bishop Boyce, Monsignor Gillespie and his fellow priests who turned out for the occasion.

“An occasion like this is good for the priesthood,” he said. “I appreciate people have travelled so far and it shows the great respect that there is for priests in our community.

Bishop Boyce said he wished to express sincere gratitude and good wishes to Canon McGettigan.

“When I think of Fr Dinny, I think of a man who never had a bad word for anybody - and that is a lovely thing to say about any person,” Bishop Boyce said.

He said Fr Dinny was blessed with a wonderful memory and recall and he had a keen interest in sport, particularly the woes and victories of Celtic and Finn Harps.

Bishop Boyce said: “It is true to say that these weren’t the things that filled his heart the most; his great interest and great love was for the Lord Jesus. He was a man of prayer and he has spent 60 years in His service, doing a lot of good for people. You did more good for people than you realise.”

Bishop Boyce remarked how Fr Dinny’s Breviary - a book of daily prayers that priests are required to pray each day - was “never far away”.

Monsignor Gillespie, on behalf of the Raphoe Diocese, thanked Canon McGettigan for “an outstanding life of example to us priests and the community here”. Monsignor Gillespie said the occasion was one of rejoicing and thanksgiving to Canon McGettigan for his fidelity and good example as a priest.

He added: “It would be evident, even if we had not gathered this evening, how much you are held in hearts. You have great kindness, great gentleness and a great interest in the community’s kith and kin. You prayed for them and carried them. Ad multos annos (may you have many years).”

Read next: In pictures: Double Jubilee celebration for Kinlough's Fr Keogan and Fr Phair

Before the congregation made their way to Deele College for refreshments, local parish priest Fr Eamonn Kelly announced that a shrine to the Venerable Matt Talbot would be opened in an alcove in the Church. 

Canon McGettigan has had a lifelong devotion and promotion to Matt Talbot, a Dublin labourer who overcame alcoholism through faith, prayer, and penance, and is now on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. Canon McGettigan blessed the shrine before it was formally opened.