Bournemouth: Jesuits celebrate 450 years of service

Photo: Aidan Foy - See story for picture details

The Jesuit community in Boscombe, Bournemouth is celebrating a total of 450 years of service to the church clocked up by priests and brothers in the community. The celebration, which was organised by the parish of Corpus Christi, was originally intended to mark the 50th anniversary of their Parish Priest, Fr Denis Blackledge, becoming a Jesuit, but expanded to include all of the anniversaries of the Jesuit priests and brothers in Bournemouth

A total of 450 years of service to the church around the world was marked by a special Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by the local Superior, Fr Chris Dyckhoff. A packed church heard the homily by Fr Denis, when he recalled that from the earliest age, he had been called to be a priest, and throughout his ministry, he had been supported by his family, by his Jesuit confreres, by his many friends and in recent years, by the
wonderful parish of Corpus Christi.

Photo shows: Back l to r: Bro James Harkess [50] years' service, Fr David Gornall [50], Fr Peter Hackett, Fr Denis Blackledge [50], Bro Bill Jordan [50], Fr Chris Dyckhoff [Superior] behind table l to r: Fr Robert Murray, Fr Bill MacCurtain, Bro Norman Smith [50] [Wing Commander, Battle of Britain pilot, aged 93], Fr Clarence Gallagher; front to right of table: Fr Patrick Purnell [70], Fr Derrick Maitland [60], Fr Ian Brayley. Only Jubilarian missing from the photo is Fr Michael Flannery [70] Photo: Aidan Foy.