Fr. Sandy's Silver Jubilee

Written By: Website Editor
23-12-2011
Categorized in: Around the Diocese

Father Sandy Culley celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on Wednesday 30 November 2011 in Our Lady and St. Mun’s Church in Dunoon to mark the Silver Jubilee of his priesthood, when a packed church of family members, parishioners and guests were joined by Bishop Joseph Toal and many priests from the diocese and other parishes in Scotland.

The large turnout on a night of fierce storms, with the ferries suspended, was a fitting testimony to the respect and affection Father Sandy has earned during his 22 years service in Dunoon and it was especially pleasing to welcome clergy and friends from local churches, together with members of the wider community in Dunoon.

In congratulating Father Sandy, Bishop Toal thanked him for his exemplary service to the diocese and remarked on the sacrifice Father Sandy had made in the early 1980s when he took the brave decision to give up his business career and begin his studies for the priesthood. He praised Father’s work in administering his parish in Dunoon and wished him many more happy years.

Father David Connor, a former parishioner and now Parish Priest in St. Mary’s Lochgilphead, spoke very movingly of Father Sandy’s ministry in Dunoon, of the joys he had shared with so many people and the comfort and consolation he had brought to countless families over the years. Father David also spoke very warmly of the support and encouragement he had received from Father Sandy and made a number of light-hearted references to changes in waist lines and hair styles both of them had obviously experienced as the years passed.

After Mass, Bishop Toal presented Father Sandy with a Papal Blessing arranged by Monsignor Gerry McKay from Rome. Mr and Mrs James Macdonald kindly gave Father Sandy a monetary gift on behalf of the parish and friends and Mrs Margaret McNicol graciously presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

The evening concluded with a Reception in the Queen’s Hall, the congregation braving the wind and rain again for a light buffet supper and to reminisce with old friends and colleagues.