Fr Donal celebrates 60 years in the priesthood

AN Omagh-born priest who served for more than 40 years on the Missions in the Philippines will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of his ordination next week.

Fr Donal Bennett was ordained the priesthood for the Columban Fathers on December 21, 1960 at Dalgan Park in Navan, Co Meath.

But it’s an anniversary which will be tinged with poignancy as the plan had originally been for the celebration to be a joint one for Fr Donal and his brother, Fr Terry Bennett, who was due to celebrate the 70th or Platinum Jubilee of his ordination in 1950.

However, Fr Terry, who was aged 94, died a few weeks ago. A Month’s Mind Mass in his memory took place this week in Killyclogher. Both brothers were born in Omagh and spent many years on the Missions in the Philippines.

Fr Donal this week expressed his gratitude to the community of Omagh for their support to his work in the country over many years. He returned home to Ireland in 2000 and after working for a number of years in Navan, he has since been living back in his native area.

“The support that we received from the community here in Omagh has been amazing,” he said. “Over the years, the people made donations and supported our work in so many other ways.

“It would have been nice to have had my brother Terry marking this anniversary with me. I am happy and content here, but I will be going back to Navan sometime next year to retire. I thank God that I was able to travel and live in the Philippines and carry out work, help and serve the people there.”