Recently I was invited to attend the 80th birthday of Mons Peter, as he is affectionately called.
It was held in one of the function rooms in a hotel in Mooroopna. Fortunately it was a large room because there was a very large gathering for a sit down luncheon.
These occasions are always very joyous because people were there because they wanted to be there.
It also expressed the popularity of the man and the esteem and affection he is held in amongst his parishioners in Mooroopna and his previous parish of St Brendans.
It was lovely that members of his family were there but his sister Aileen was not up to the travelling to be with them.
Anthony Butts, Principal of St Mary’s in Mooroopna was the M.C and did a marvellous job.
Once he had everyone seated he wasted no time in commencing the speeches – four secretaries and housekeepers, Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, a nephew Patrick, an old school friend from Bendigo days plus others and them Mons Peter replied.
He started his speech with telling us he was a premature baby and probably lucky to survive.
Being the great orator that he is, he gave a very entertaining insight into his eighty years.
Quite typical of him he paid for all the meals and anything else on the individual. He even admitted at one stage that he was a workaholic because he certainly is – to be eighty with his history of health to be still parish priest of Mooroopna.
I marvel at the work he does at Dhurringile Prison each Wednesday. The men out there have the greatest respect and admiration for him.
Yes it was a fitting occasion to show what this great priest means to so many people.
Fr Michael Morley
Parish Priest
Sacred Heart Parish Tatura
