A VERY popular priest, who was on the teaching staff at St Brendan’s College in Killarney for close on 25 years, will celebrate the golden jubilee of his ordination on Sunday.
Fr Jim Kennelly, a native of Millstreet and the long-time parish priest in Boherbue, was hugely respected by a whole generation of students in The Sem where he was regarded as an exceptional teacher of history, and a number of other subjects.
A former inter-county footballer with Cork, he also trained a number of St Brendan’s College teams, in various grades, and enjoyed a string of high-profile successes.
Fr Kennelly, who also served in Ballydesmond for eight years, has devoted a lifetime of service to the Church since his ordination in 1971 and parishioners in Boherbue are determined to mark his 50th anniversary in a very special way.
Due to the current restrictions, a public celebration is not possible but, as soon as it is allowed, a local organising committee will arrange for a gathering to give everyone the opportunity to congratulate Fr Jim and to share in his celebration.
Fr Jim will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Boherbue with his family and invited guests, at 11.00am on Sunday and it will be livestreamed on the internet.
After Mass, Boherbue/Kiskeam Pastoral Council will organise a guard of honour of parishioners along the streets of Boherbue between 12.15pm and 12.30pm and in Kiskeam at approximately 12.45pm.
Those in attendance are asked to wear facemasks and ensure social distancing with family pods two meters apart and to return home as soon as Fr Jim passes through. Houses and businesses in the villages have also been invited to decorate with flags or bunting for the occasion.
The jubilee organising committee is also organising a public collection as a token of appreciation to Fr Jim for his friendship and service to the people over many years. The proceeds will be presented to him at a later date and those who would like to donate are asked to do so before July 1.
There are a number of ways to contribute:
- Put a donation in an envelope marked ‘Fr Kennelly Jubilee Fund’ and drop into the baskets placed at the back of both Churches for all of the weekly Masses.
- Put a donation in an envelope marked ‘Fr Kennelly Jubilee Fund’ and drop it into committee treasurers, Margaret Murphy, West End, Boherbue or Eileen O’Mahony, Doonasleen South, Kiskeam.
- Lodge your donation, either electronically or physically, through a Newmarket Credit Union account that has been set up to facilitate payment. The account details are as follows
IBAN: IE91NEEU99224810156455; BIC: NEEUIE21; ACCOUNT NAME: Fr Jim Kennelly Jubilee Fund; RECEIVER REFERENCE: 9045 FR JIM KENN.
