An added joyful bonus to the Pentecost Sunday celebrations in St. John’s Cathedral on Sunday was the acknowledgement of Fr. Eugene Boyce and Canon John Daly, who were both celebrating their Golden Jubilee as priests in the diocese of Limerick. They were both joined by their fellow priests and the main celebrant, Canon Gerard Garrett, in a joyous concelebrated Mass with the amazing Cathedral Choir in attendance also. The attendance includ-ed their families and friends and many former parishioners as well as the local parish congregation in St. John’s to help mark the very special milestone in their priestly ministry.
Fr. Eugene, originally from the parish of Rockhill near Bruree served in a number of parishes, including Watford in the UK, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Askeaton, St. Paul’s Dooradoyle, and as Parish Priest in the parish of Croagh Kilfinny from 2014 until 2024.
Canon John Daly, origin-ally from Athlacca, was privileged to serve in six parishes: St Joseph’s, Our Lady of the Rosary, St Nicholas, Bruff/Grange and Meanus and St John’s.
During the Mass, Canon John acknowledged the unfailing support of his family who were such a support to him at the various stages of his life. He thanked Bishops Jeremiah Newman, Donal Murray and Brendan Leahy who were each such good shepherds each in their unique way imitating Jesus our Shepherd.
He also said that it had been a privilege for him to have the opportunity to work with so many committed priests, Salesian Sisters, Mercy Sisters and FCJ Sisters and Irish Christian Brothers, Unit Pastoral Councils, Choirs, Sacristans, Folk Groups and many generous volunteers and the many friends he had made along the way.
Following Mass in the Cathedral both priests hosted separate functions in The Woodlands House Hotel, where they were joined by their extended families and friends to mark the special occasion.
Speaking at the function in The Woodlands, Vincent Hanley a lifelong friend of Fr. Eugene’s described him as ‘a breath of fresh air, a force of nature’. He said that ‘The saintly Pope John XXIII of our childhood had thrown open the windows and doors of our church in the early 60s and Fr. Eugene had burst through those doors with a smile and a swagger in the mid 70s’.
He concluded by wishing Fr. Eugene well in his continuing battle with illness and said that ‘I think it is no coincidence at all that the youngest priest in our Diocese today, newly ordained Fr Tim Collins, has come to us from Fr. Eugene’s parish in Croagh Kilfinny’.