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Golden and Diamond Jubilee
[Editor's Note: Fr Terry Lavery died on 7th November 2005, just over three years after the celebration recorded below. May he rest in peace.]
On Saturday 31st August 2002 Fr Terry Lavery SDB celebrated his Diamond Jubilee of Profession as a Salesian and his Golden Jubilee of ordination to the priesthood.
The celebration began with Mass celebrated in the chapel of Nazareth House, Bonnyrigg, where Fr Terry is now resident. Fr Francis Preston, the Salesian Provincial, presided at the Mass and Fr Christopher Heaps gave the homily. We were delighted that Archbishop Keith O’Brien was also able to be present, along with relatives, members of the parishes of St Paul’s, Muirhouse, other members of the Salesian Family and residents and staff of Nazareth House.
The mass was followed by refreshments in St Martin’s Hall. In the comemorative booklet Fr Jim McGarry, rector of the Salesian community at Easterhouse, thanked Sister Margaret Angela, Sister Myron, and all the staff of Nazareth House for the wonderful care they have offered Fr Terry.
Fr Terry robed in the Golden Jubilee vestments.
Fr Michael O’Meara SDB with Fr Terry
The Concelebrants with Fr Terry and Archbishop O’Brien
Fr Terry and Fr Francis Preston listen to the Archbishop
The Jubilee Cake
Fr Terry’s Salesian Life
Fr Jim McGarry, who also provided the music for the celebration, included the following brief account of Fr Terry’s life as a Salesian:
Fr Terry was born in Glasgow and baptised in St Anthony's, Govan. He became a Salesian when he made his first profession sixty years ago on this very day, 31st August 1942, at the Salesian House in Beckford, near Gloucester.
As a young Salesian, Terry taught at the Salesian Missionary College, Shrigley, Cheshire, the Salesian School, Chertsey, and Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton. At the same time, he obtained his degree. Then, having completed three years of theology in Lyons, France, he returned to Beckford to be ordained on 20th July 1952. Other Salesians ordained on that day and also celebrating their Golden Jubilee this year are Fr Pat McGrath and Fr Jim Pilling. We congratulate them all.
After ordination, Fr Terry returned to Salesian School, Chertsey, where he taught for 12 years. He then moved to the new Salesian School in Bootle, Merseyside, where he taught for twenty years. His principle subject was French.
After many years of teaching, Fr Terry took a well-earned sabbatical in Berkeley, California, from where he returned to join the parish team in St Paul's, Muirhouse, Edinburgh. He worked there for the best part of fifteen years. During that time Fr Terry and his dog Tara became known and loved throughout the area. The presence of the parishioners of St Paul's at today's celebration is testament to the affection in which Terry is held.
We wish Fr Terry every blessing on this wonderful occasion. |
