Photos: Raphoe Diocese
Canon Denis ‘Dinny’ McGettigan’s sixty years of faithful service were celebrated with a special Mass on Friday, honouring a life of outstanding service.
Canon McGettigan’s journey in the priesthood began on 20th June 1965, when he was ordained by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid.
Sixty years later, the Kilmacrennan native was surrounded by fellow clergy, parishioners, and family at St Eunan’s Church in Raphoe, who gathered to give thanks for his lifetime commitment to his faith and community.
“An occasion like this is good for the priesthood. It shows the great respect that is for the priests in our community,” said Fr Dinny.
During the Mass of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrated in this Jubilee Year, Fr Dinny offered prayers for goodness and blessings for everyone, with thanksgiving in his heart.
“The Jubilee time is a time of special blessings and graces from God,” he said, expressing hope that the year will be a time of many blessings for all.
Clergy and servers gathered to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Canon Denis (Fr Dinny) McGettigan. Photo: Raphoe Diocese
Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe, Philip Boyce, spoke warmly of Fr Dinny’s compassionate and prayerful life.
“When I think of Dinny I think of a man who never had a bad word for anybody,” said the Bishop Emeritus.
Bishop Boyce highlighted that Fr Dinny’s greatest devotion was to the Lord Jesus, “he was your life and you spent 60 years in his service doing a lot of good for people. You were a man of prayer. Your bravery was always with you.”
“You did more good for people during these years than you yourself realise,” the Bishop Emeritus said.
Fr Dinny with his extended family. Photo: Raphoe Diocese
Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, the Diocesan Administrator of the Raphoe Diocese, extended thanks on behalf of the diocese for “a life of outstanding service and example to priests and the community and all parishes in which you have served.” He noted how Fr Dinny “treated people with great kindness, gentleness and interest in their lives, praying for them and carrying them with great prayer.”
Fr Eamonn Kelly announced the opening of a new shrine to Venerable Matt Talbot, a patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism. This new alcove, now located beside the altar in St Eunan’s, features images, prayers, and information, encouraging anyone struggling with addiction to seek Matt Talbot’s intercession.
Photo: Raphoe Diocese
The celebration also acknowledged another remarkable achievement: the Sapphire Jubilee of Archdeacon William McMenamin, who was celebrated for 65 years of priestly ordination.
Fr Dinny also took a moment to offer a heartfelt mention of Msgr. Dan Carr, his dear friend and fellow seminarian, both of whom were ordained together on that significant day, 20th June 1965.
The evening concluded with a well-attended reception at Deele College.
