Father Greenan's 75 years of service

Wednesday Marc and I went to a very special Mass and luncheon honoring Father Lambert Greenan, O.P., who is celebrating his 75th year as a priest.  He is 98 years old.  It was such a precious, precious day.

Here he is in 1940 at age 23, just days after being ordained a Dominican priest in Ireland.

His devout parents- they prayed a family rosary every day and went to weekly confession.  Father says they never, ever missed it!

Father as a young novice- he says the photographer wanted a picture of the men in robes, so he slowed his step to make sure he would be in the picture too!    He said, "I did the Lambertine shuffle and ended up on the front page of the newspaper!"  :)

Here he is with his brothers- the oldest two became Dominican priests, the younger two became medical doctors.  His 97-year-old brother, Father Clement, is still alive and feisty as well.  :)

There were at least 10 priests and two bishops and the leader of the Irish Dominicans at his Mass yesterday.  

His luncheon was catered and beautiful and delicious! 

His nieces and nephews from Ireland came to celebrate with him!

After several beautiful toasts to dear Father, he spoke a while of some of the highlights of his life. 

Then they played his favorite songs,  "A perfect Day" sung by Nelson Eddy-

When you come to the end of a perfect day, And you sit alone with your thought, While the chimes ring out with a carol gay For the joy that the day has brought, Do you think what the end of a perfect day Can mean to a tired heart, When the sun goes down with a flaming ray, And the dear friends have to part? Well, this is the end of a perfect day, Near the end of a journey, too; But it leaves a thought that is big and strong, With a wish that is kind and true. For mem'ry has painted this perfect day With colors that never fade, And we find at the end of a perfect day The soul of a friend we've made.

And finally, Father's very favorite song, "The Holy City"-

Last night I lay asleeping

There came a dream so fair,

I stood in Old Jerusalem

Beside the temple there

I heard the children singing

And ever as they sang,

Methought the voice of Angels

From Heaven in answer rang

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

Lift up your gates and sing,

Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna to your King!"

And then methought my dream was chang'd

The streets no longer rang

Hush'd were the glad Hosannas

The little children sang

The sun grew dark with mystery,

The morn was cold and chill

As the shadow of a cross arose

Upon a lonely hill

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

Hark! How the Angels sing,

Hosanna in the highest,

Hosanna to your King!"

And once again the scene was chang'd

New earth there seem'd to be,

I saw the Holy City

Beside the tideless sea

The light of god was on its streets

The gates were open wide,

And all who would might enter

And no one was denied.

No need of moon or stars by night,

Or sun to shine by day,

It was the new Jerusalem

That would not pass away

"Jerusalem! Jerusalem

Sing for the night is o'er

Hosanna in the highest

Hosanna for evermore!"