Over 400 members of the Port Macquarie community gathered at St Agnes’ Church in Hay Street last Sunday for Mass and a special morning tea to celebrate the 90th birthday of much-loved Parish Priest, Father Leo Donnelly.
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The Most Reverend Gregory Homeming, Bishop of the Lismore Diocese, was in town to mark the occasion and concelebrate Mass with Fr Donnelly and Assistant Priests Fr Peter Wood and Fr Roland Agrisola.
Prior to the start of Mass, Brian Tierney, long-time parishioner and friend of Fr Donnelly, set the scene for the celebration, recalling two dates of special note for Fr Donnelly and the Parish.
“There are two auspicious dates and they both go back many years,” said Mr Tierney.
“17th November, 1927, the day Fr Donnelly was born in the western town of Gulargambone (that’s 90 years ago); and 21st March 1970, the day Fr Donnelly took up his appointment as Parish Priest of Port Macquarie, then a smallish quiet coastal town and small Catholic parish (that’s more than 47 years ago).”
“Putting these two together – Fr Donnelly is the most senior serving Catholic Parish Priest in Australia,” he added.
During the service, Bishop Homeming noted that Fr Donnelly was a person who had not lived in fear of the life God has given him and had allowed his talent to grow by sharing it with others.
“Port Macquarie is only what it is because Father D lived without fear,” said Bishop Homeming.
Fr Donnelly, ever a humble man, preferred in his address to redirect the focus towards the contributions of others, particularly parishioners past and present, in the achievements of the Parish.
“Those most responsible for the achievements, for which I am being recognised, are you, the congregation,” said Fr Donnelly.
“The Vocational Education project, which became Newman College, was dear to my heart and it was through the efforts of others, in this case, Sister Marie Boland and John McQueen that projects like this came about.
“This parish has always meant so much to me. I was an altar boy at the opening of the church. I was the first priest from Port Macquarie. I was only ever in two places, Port and Lismore.
I have been uniquely blessed and at the heart of that blessing are the people who have accepted me, encouraged me, over those years.
- Father Leo Donelly
“In total, I have racked up exactly fifty years in Port. In that, I have been uniquely blessed and at the heart of that blessing are the people who have accepted me, encouraged me, over those years.
“I am and always have been in your debt.”
As a gift, Parishioners gave Fr Donnelly a new chalice, paten and ciborium. These were presented by Honor Morcom who was the first director of Catholic Care of the Aged in Port Macquarie, Colleen Henshaw a long-time parishioner and friend of Fr D, and Alison Quirk, who was baptized by Fr D.
St Vincent de Paul volunteers served morning tea and birthday cake in the Parish Hall after Mass.
On the eve of Fr D’s actual birthday 150 staff and volunteers also gathered at Newman Senior Technical College to recognise the milestone.
St Agnes’ Parish CEO Adam Spencer described Father Donnelly as ‘an incredible human being’.
“We gather in celebration and thanksgiving; celebration of a wonderful achievement in Fr’Ds 90th birthday but, moreover, thanks giving of the incredible gifts that Fr D has brought to us as a pastor, a leader and simply an incredible human being,” he said.
Fr D we thank you for you continued vision, energy and hard work in our community.”
Mr Spencer also announced as part of celebration the production of a video detailing Fr Donnelly’s life and especially his time as Parish Priest in Port Macquarie.
The highlight of the event was a ‘family style’ video produced in-house, in which many members of staff, and representatives of schools and aged care facilities sent personal birthday wishes to Fr Donnelly.
In the video, incoming School Captains at MacKillop College for 2018, Esther Ting and Thomas Berryman, shared a congratulatory message on behalf of the three secondary schools in the parish.
“Father D, it's your 90th trip around the sun, and on behalf of our school we would like to thank you for all that you have done for St Agnes’ Parish Secondary Schools,” said Esther and Thomas.
“You had the vision and now many years later Catholic Education stands as a proud symbol in the Port Macquarie Community.
“Looking around us now at the amazing grounds, the 21st-century resources and the almost 2500 students that make-up St Agnes’ Parish Secondary schools, all we can say is thank you.”
