Mayo priest celebrates ruby jubilee

CONG native Fr. Pat Munroe has celebrated 40 years in the priesthood with a special Mass at the Church of Our Lady and the Apostles in Stockport, England. 

Fr. Pat attended St Patrick's College, Thurles, Co. Tipperay, where he was ordained 40 years ago. A total of 13 other priests were ordained that day. Sadly three have passed away but 11 are still serving as priests.

Fr. Pat's first parish in 1975 was St. Peter's, Wythenshaw, Manchester, in the Shrewsbury Diocese.

At the ruby jubilee celebration, there was a big turnout of people from Fr. Pat's previous parishes, St. Winefred's in Sandbach, Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ellesmere Port and St. Peter's in Hazel Grove.

Members of Fr. Pat's family joined him from all over the world as well as from his home in Co. Mayo.

Fr. Pat is the chaplain of the Manchester Mayo Association.