Monsignor Brendan Deenihan Celebrates 60th Jubilee

By Wendy Van Leeve, Photos by Lisa Faith Augustine –

On 16th June 2023, the parish of Sacred Heart Kabega had the honour and privilege of hosting the 60th Diamond Jubilee of the Priestly Ordination of Monsignor Brendan Deenihan on the Solemnity of the Feast of The Sacred Heart.

A young Fr Deenihan landed in Port Elizabeth in 1963 at the age of 23 after a 14-day trip from Ireland by boat. On the Sunday following his arrival he would celebrate his first mass in Port Elizabeth at Sacred Heart and as by divine providence, he has concelebrated his own 60th Diamond Jubilee mass in the same parish, having served in various parishes in the Eastern Cape. He left for King Williams Town the Monday following that initial mass at Sacred Heart and was introduced to parish life immediately.

 

He served in many parishes there over a 6 year period. He attributes his time in King Williams Town as his growth in the priesthood. There he also learnt how to love people. He grew in his humanness and love as a human being. From there he would continue his ministry in Addo for 3 years, St James Schauderville for 10 years, Cradock for 3 years, St Martin De Porres Gelvandale for 6 years and St Augustine’s Cathedral as Vicar General for 23 years. He retired at the age of 75 and at 83 years of age still continues to be active in ministry, assisting at various parishes and helping out where needed.

During his homily at the jubilee celebration, Monsignor Deenihan reminisced about life growing up in a Catholic home, a family dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the history of priests and religious on both sides of his parents family line, his father’s death when he was just 16 years old, the tradition of mourning over a 9 month period which led to his discernment to the priesthood, despite his initial resistance, and his ordination at 23 requiring special dispensation due to his age.

 

Various speakers paid tribute to the Monsignor with words of gratitude and praise for the years of service rendered to the various communities throughout the Eastern Cape.
The diocese of Port Elizabeth has indeed been blessed with the ministry of this great man who left his land of birth, his family, friends, the secular life and everything that was familiar to him to serve God in a foreign land. He attributes Love as being the driving force.
After the celebration of Holy Mass, the community gathered in the parish hall to continue with the celebrations with refreshments.

By God’s grace the Monsignor is still able to continue the good work the Lord has entrusted to him and it is our prayer that God will continue to bless him with health and happiness all the rest of his days. Congratulations Monsignor Deenihan!