Parishioners at honored Fr. Denis Gavin with a Mass of Thanksgiving and reception on Sunday, July 15 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood and for 25 years of ministry at the parish.
With Msgr. Helmick serving as Master of Ceremonies, Fr. Ray Helmick, Fr. John Nichols and Fr. Peter Nolan, pastor of Most Precious Blood and former curate at St. Theresa's concelebrated the Mass for the happy occasion.
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Fr. Gavin belongs to a religious order of priests known as the Holy Ghost Fathers. He was born and raised in Ireland and was ordained in Dublin on July 8, 1962. For many years, he served with priests from the order in missionary work in Africa, Malawi and Nigeria. Since 1987, he has helped out every summer at St. Theresa's while on a visit to the Boston area.
Following the Mass, Fr. Gavin greeted parishioners in the pavilion and posed for a family photo in front of the sanctuary of the church.