Marking 40 years in priesthood
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Bishop Larry Duffy receives a presentation from Mr. Aidan Murray to mark his Golden Jubilee.Image 2 of 5
Fr Michael with Bishop Larry Duffy and colleagues from Clogher Diocese who joined him for his Ruby Jubilee celebration.Image 3 of 5
Fr Michael with his sister Ann, brother Tom and brother in law Ambrose as he cuts a special cake marking his Ruby Jubilee.Image 4 of 5
Fr Michael receives a presentation from Darren Duffy representing Magheracloone GFC.Image 5 of 5
Fr Michael receives a presentation from Barbara Shevlin representing the organising committee.Fr Michael Jordan celebrated his Ruby Jubilee at Ss Peter and Paul’s Church, Magheracloone recently.
A native of Bonniconlon, Co Mayo, Fr Jordan has divided his four decade ministry between Nigeria and Clogher Diocese.
He was joined for the anniversary celebrations, held on Friday, June 19, by Bishop Larry Duffy, a native of Magheracloone who one week earlier celebrated his own Golden Jubilee in Monaghan. Among those celebrating with him were, Fr John Chester, Fr John Flanagan, Canon Michael Daly (Golden Jubilee), Fr Martin Treanor, Canon Owen Joe McEneaney and Msgr Shane McCaughey. Members of Fr Michael’s family travelled from Mayo to join him on his special occasion and afterwards everyone was treated to refreshments in the community centre. Presentations were made to Fr Michael and to Bishop Larry by local organisations to celebrate their Jubilees. Fr Michael was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1986 with St Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegan. He was assigned to work in Northern Nigeria in the diocese of Kontagor.
On Easter Sunday morning while heading to celebrate Mass he was involved in a very serious road traffic accident. His injuries were traumatic and after initial treatment in Nigeria he was flown home to St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin to continue his rehabilitation. It took him two years to get back to full health. In that time he worked as chaplain in Mt. St Anne’s retreat centre.
During those two summers he undertook holiday cover in Monaghan town. There he got a taste for parish work and decided to go about working in Clogher Diocese full time. His first appointment was to Scotshouse in Co. Monaghan in 1992 and following that he ministered in many Monaghan parishes, Castleblayney, Carrickmacross, Donaghmoyne, Killanny and two years ago he was appointed parish Priest of Magheracloone.
During his homily he thanked all those whose lives he shared and allowed him to minister to them in their varied situations and circumstances. He thanked friends who have always been there for him especially when there were challenges be they personal or pastoral. The tea and the chat always did so much to lift the human spirit.
Fr Jordan concluded his homily with a quote associated with Oscar Romero:
“This is what we are about
We plant seeds that will one day grow
We water seeds already planted
knowing that they hold future promise
We may never see the results
We are prophets of a future not our own”