The extra-tall South Ashford Priest celebrated making his first half-century with a party in his parish. It was a great evening, with live music accompanying the barn dancing. I managed to get a few photos, but the "official" photographer kept wandering in front of me just as I was about to take a shot (that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!)The photo on the left shows Fr. John reading through his birthday card, signed by all the parishioners (I never did find out if it was literally all his parishioners, or all the parishioners present at the party.)
There were a few family and friends, but the majority of the people present were parishioners, and one person came up to me and started to tell me how very much Fr. John is appreciated in South Ashford, and what great work he is doing in building up the parish. (I know Fr. John will be too modest to admit that's what his parishioners think of him, so I thought I better do it for him!) And in his speech, Fr. John explained quite movingly how a priest's parish is his family.
Fr. Tim has posted a few pictures from the event, and Fr. John has put up a video show of the photos taken by one of his parishioners.
7 comments:
Hey, Mac. I bet it was signed by everyone who likes him! ;-D
Looks like you had a great time. Anyway, it's kinda late for you to back out on photos. You've been nailed a couple times that I can think of. No point in not being in a photo or two!
Karen
Lawd a'Mighty, just how tall IS he?
('Course, who am I to ask such a question when my own pastor - Fr. John "How's the Weather Up There" Moneypenny - is past 6-foot himself!
Yes; how tall is he? I'm 6'4" myself, but he looks taller than me!
Karen - actually, I didn't consciously back out of the photos this time... I just honestly didn't get snapped... except for my hand in one of the photos where Fr John is talking to Fr Tim (in his slide show) and one young man managed to block the rest of me from view!
Digi - no idea. I'm useless on heights. I'll ask him.
The card was signed by our parishioners at both Masses for the last 2 weekends, it was left in the repository and parishioners were queuing to sign it, a few words of latin, and a mention of the blogs are in it, great fun in creating it, and those involved were pleased with the result, perhaps Fr John will put a photo on the blog when he returns!
Digi - I think somewhere else Fr. John was quizzed if he was "the tallest priest in England" -- he claims no, and somewhere I think he mentioned 6'4" Which puts him as tall as the Elder George Bush.
It was funny that he had no idea why I had called him "stretch" in that one post I did. Basketball center material for sure.
Anon: looks like you all had a blast of a good time. I had no idea you could marry Irish music with reggae, to just by the sound on the video Fr. John posted.
Karen
He's really, really tall. He's so tall his head's in Heaven already. That's why he's so clever :)
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