By Michael Motes

On Sunday, May 28, the Rev. Michael McKeever, pastor of St. Anthony’s Church in West End, will retire from the active ministry after 42 years of service.

Born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1906, Fr. McKeever studied at St. Malachy’s College in Belfast and St. Teresa Seminary in Newry. He was ordained a priest on June 7, 1931 for the African Mission Society.

From October 1931 until February 1941 he served as a missionary in Africa. He came to the United States in 1943, when he was assigned to the Queen of Apostles Seminary in Maryland.

Later that year he came to Georgia and assumed the pastorate of St. Peter Claver Church in Macon. From 1945 until September, 1966 he served as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Atlanta. Leaving Atlanta, he became pastor of Sacred Heart in Milledgeville, where he remained until August, 1968 when he became pastor of St. Anthony’s.

Fr. McKeever will be honored by his friends and parishioners at 3 p.m. on Sunday in the St. Anthony parish hall. Thereafter he will take up residency at Holy Spirit rectory in northwest Atlanta.

In commenting on his retirement, Fr. McKeever said: “I am retiring with mixed emotions. I loved and enjoyed my many years of labor in the Lord’s vineyard. I brought the Good News and the sacraments to those entrusted to my care, in turn I received God’s choicest blessing on me and my work.

“But now I have reached the age of retirement and I asked the archbishop to permit me to retire. He kindly consented, so now I enjoy the relief from the burdens and responsibilities inherent in the pastoral ministry.

“Lovingly and prayerfully I step aside and watch my brother priests as they continue their labors in spreading God’s kingdom on earth.”