FR. GOULD CELEBRATES 60 YEARS

Fr Gould celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination last week. When he celebrated his Golden Jubilee in 2010 there was a great buzz in the parish with a celebratory Mass and a gathering in Killavullen Community Centre. Ten years later the world is a very different place and we could not mark the occasion in the usual Killavullen Style. However, this does not mean the occasion went unnoticed! To celebrate this wonderful achievement a drive by his house was organised last Thursday, June 11th to mark the occasion Pandemic Killavullen style! Cars, decorated with flags, gathered at Annakissa Church Thursday evening.
It was breath taking to see a socially distanced gathering and to hear the buzz of chat and laughter of friends and neighbours as people rolled down their car windows and chatted freely while waiting for the off! At 7.30pm the cars left the church, expertly stewarded, and made their way along by Castlekevin past Fr Gould’s house. There he stood and greeted all who passed, and they him, as the wonderful tunes of the pipes played by Rose O’Leary filled the air around Ballygriffin. It was a truly emotional and phenomenal experience for young and old alike. In the face of a pandemic the goodness in all was evident and the simple joy in just being able to wave and say hello meant the world to Fr Gould and to those who were present to wish him well. Killavullen Community Council presented him with a cake and flowers on the drive by. We wish Fr Gould every blessing on his priestly anniversary and hope the good Lord continues to bless him in a special way. May his life continue to be filled with God’s good gifts and abundant joy. Congratulations Fr Gould!