By Rita McInerney

Father James Fennessy is grateful to his Lord and the people he has served since coming to Atlanta from Ireland 25 years ago.

The pastor of St. John Neumann parish celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination at the noon Mass on June 6, Trinity Sunday, in the Lilburn church.

He was ordained to the priesthood June 8, 1968 at Carlow Cathedral and said his first Mass on Trinity Sunday in his home church at Newcastle, Clonmel, County Tipperary.

Concelebrating with him in Lilburn was Father Terence Kane, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, Kennesaw, who was ordained with him. He celebrated his silver jubilee on June 12.

In his homily, Father Fennessy spoke of the promise of God to be with His people until the end of time. He recalled wondering at the time of his ordination if he had made the right decision to serve as a priest in Atlanta with its small number of Catholics, about one percent at the time.

“But the good Lord has more than fulfilled his promise to me,” he told the congregation. He attributed the “happiness, growth and fulfillment” in his life to the Lord being with him “through the love and support of people in every parish I have served,” making his priesthood “wonderful.”

“The Trinity of Father, Son and Spirit speaks of the mystery of God, of unity and community,” Father Fennessy said. “This common faith has brought us together…to be one with God and with each other.” And this God of forgiveness, he concluded, “yearns for us to be reconciled with Him and with each other. It is only through forgiveness and healing that there is true peace.”

The congregation for the joy-filled anniversary Mass was made up of old friends from parishes he has served along his quarter century in Atlanta and current parishioners. Concelebrants along with Father Kane were Father Don Caron, parochial vicar at St. John Neumann, and Father David Dye, chaplain at Georgia State University who helps the 3,700-family parish by celebrating weekend Masses. Deacons for the Mass were Jim O’Brien and Gary Womack.

Seated front pew center were four members of the pastor’s family here from Newcastle and Limerick as one of two big anniversary surprises from parishioners and close friends. The Irish visitors are his sister, Mary Margaret O’Connor, his brother, David, and his wife, Ann, and daughter, Yvonne. David Fennessy lectored at Mass and with the other family members brought up the Offertory gifts.

Music for the anniversary Mass was by Pam Ennest, director of music, Twinkie Spilsbury, cantor and song leader, and Tony Previte, who played the flute. At Mass’s end, they saluted Father Fennessy with “I Cannot Tell,” a hymn whose melody is the same as the poignant Irish favorite, “Danny Boy.”

After Mass a long stream of people, from children to senior parishioners, waited for smiles and hugs from the popular pastor. When he finally made his way to the reception in Donnellan Hall in the St. John Neumann Regional School building, there was another surprise.

The room became quiet as Father Fennessy stood beside Sharon Osborne, president of the parish pastoral board. After accepting personalized golf tee tags from Gary Wood on behalf of the Men’s Club, Mrs. Osborne handed the priest a gift bag. He put his hand in the bag and out came tissue paper. On his second try he found a set of keys and turned to Mrs. Osborne with a puzzled look. Then she told him to look out the window behind him. When he did he saw a new emerald green Dodge Intrepid.

Visibly touched and almost speechless, Father Fennessy voiced his happiness and pleasure over the new car. “I’ve just been here two years, it’s more than I deserve,” he told the delighted crowd.

Mary Margaret O’Connor said she will never forget the expression on her brother’s face when the four family members “walked in on him” June 4.

She sees her brother every summer when he visits Ireland and visited him in Atlanta twice during the 1970s. But she admits this celebratory visit has her “completely in awe” of the love and support people express for him.

About the only change she’s noticed in the 25 years he’s been in Atlanta is that “he’s put on weight.”

That fits Vernette Bliss’s recollection of him. A parishioner at Holy Cross whose friendship dates back to his first assignment after ordination, she remembers him as appearing “thin and undernourished” when he first arrived.

“We all noticed at the covered dish suppers that he always seem to eat only the desserts. When I asked about his sweet tooth he said he knew what the desserts were, but didn’t know what all the other dishes were.”

Mary Holst, another close friend from Holy Cross, laughed at the anecdote. Then, more seriously she added, “He has always been a priest with his heart open to everyone. When God called him, He knew he was calling someone special.”

Sharon Osborne said about 200 people attended a dinner dance held June 5 in Donnellan Hall. There was a “roast” of the honor guest and a “real Irish flavor” to the evening. This social event followed a Mass celebrated by Father Fennessy. Music was furnished by the parish adult choir and the Hispanic music group.