London: Golden Jubilee celebration of Fr John Deehan

Party in the parish garden

A beautiful Mass and celebration took place at Our Lady Help of Christians in Kentish Town, north London, on Friday evening, the Feast of St Benedict, for the Golden Jubilee of priestly ordination of Fr John Deehan. Bishop Jim Curry (one of Fr John's former students at Allen Hall) was the chief celebrant.

The church was filled with relatives, friends, parishioners and fellow clergy from: St Edmund's Ware, Downing College, Cambridge, The Pontifical Biblical Institute Rome, (among the places where Fr John studied), Allen Hall, where he taught Sacred Scripture and Ancient Languages, and parishes where he served: Kensington, East Acton, Teddington, Eastcote and Kentish Town.

During his homily, Bishop Jim Curry said: "For 50 years John, has faithfully served the Lord giving life to the service of the word of God . This jubilee is not simply a celebration of time. In truth we affirm a life given in love and service a testament to faith and and a commitment to spreading the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth"

Bishop Jim thanked Fr John for his pastoral work and his teaching: "There are so many here tonight who owe their love, understanding and nourishment by scripture, to your love of the Word of God.

"Whether we be parishioners where you have served, catechists, lay pastoral workers, women and men religious, students, lay and clerical in Allen Hall Seminary, and the Study Centre, as was, or in summer schools or working alongside diocesan agencies, you helped to open up the riches of Sacred Scripture - which includes piloting me through the choppy waters of Greek and Hebrew."

"I think also of your accompaniment of the brethren on the Via Francigena, your work with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Friends of the Holy Land, your advocacy for the suffering Christians in the Holy Land and the Palestinian people, alongside your insights into the Jewish biblical roots of our faith."

He said: "The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council remind us that the Church regards the Sacred Scriptures, together with Sacred Tradition, as the supreme rule of faith. The Word of God gives meaning to all of the Church's activities and is the criterion for all of her actions.

The Scriptures are open to everyone. St Jerome tells us are that the scriptures are 'shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning and deep enough for a theologian to swim in without ever touching the bottom.'"

"A Prayer penned and prayed by Fr Karl Rahner SJ and familiar to you puts it in words to treasure:

The priest is not an angel sent from heaven,

He is a man chosen from among men,

A member of the Church, a Christian.

Remaining man and Christian, he begins to speak to you the Word of God.

The word is not his own.

No, he comes to you because God has told him to proclaim God's Word.

Perhaps he has not entirely understood it himself.

Perhaps he adulterates it.

But he believes, and despite his fear he knows he must communicate God's Word to you.'

He concluded: "John, thank you for opening the Scriptures for us, for the offering of your intellectual endeavour, the fruits of your study and your pastoral care.

Thank you for your yes to God. May your reward be a hundredfold. Now and in eternity."

After the Mass there was a reception in the church hall which parishioners had prepared, along with a delicious paella served in the garden, thanks to new parish priest, Fr Allan Alvarado. It was a warm summer evening. There was music and dancing, and as the sun began to set, a special candlelit cake was brought out to celebrate this special day.

Margaret Harvey, chair of trustees of SanKTus Welfare and Chair of Governors at St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, told ICN: "During his six years in Kentish Town Fr John gave unstinting service to all parishioners, as well as to the children and staff at our parish school, St Patrick's. He delivered very thoughtful and very well-prepared homilies at all the Masses. He was a generous and caring person to all. We wish him well in his well-earned retirement."

Parishioner Mary Carson said: "Fr John came to our parish a stranger and had a difficult task filling the shoes of the previous priest Fr Tom (who had been with us so long). But he stuck with us, listened to us, laughed, cried and learned with us and gradually we all grew together as a supportive, loving community. He leaves a powerful legacy."

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Bishop Jim Curry at Golden Jubilee Mass for Fr John Deehan: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52824