Oblate News

Fr. Michael Morrissey Celebrates Golden Jubilee Anniversary

Fr. Michael Morrissey in his native Croom marks 50 years as an Oblate

Fr. Michael Morrissey and Billy and Nora Donovan

St Mary’s Church was packed to capacity on Sunday, August 25th, when Fr. Michael Morrissey formerly of Islandmor celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. He was assisted by Canon Willie Fitzmaurice, Fr. Eamonn O’Brien and Fr. Oliver Plunkett, formerly of Croom, who will also be celebrating his golden jubilee this year.

Canon Fitzmaurice congratulated Fr. Michael on his 50 years in the priesthood.and presented him with the papal blessing from Pope Francis. Michael Morrissey received his early education in Croom National School and Adare Secondary School.

He was the son of the late John and Annie Morrissey and brother of the late Maureen Lowry and the late Teresa Morrissey. His sister Carmel and her husband Jerry Walker live in Bettystown; his brother-in-law Jerry Lowry, nephews and nieces live in Castleroberts.

Michael entered the Oblate Order in 1961, studied at Piltown for four years, was ordained on March 29th 1969 and said his first Mass in St. Mary’s Croom; however, he has spent most of his priesthood in South Africa, being senior administrator for the Oblate Order over many years.

The Oblate Fathers have a long history of missionary work in many parts of the world. Last Sunday Fr. Michael met up with many friends and schoolmates when he celebrated his fifty years in the priesthood in the church where he was baptised, made his First Holy Communion and Confirmation and said his First Mass.

He donned the blue and white of Croom in his younger years both in junior and minor hurling and he was also a member of the local FCA. We congratulate Fr. Michael in celebrating his golden jubilee and in reaching this momentous milestone. The entire community wish Fr. Michael many more years of active life in the priesthood.

This article and photographs were originally published in the Weekly Observer. Photographs by Pat Fitzgerald.