The priests of the archdiocese got together on 25 May for a Mass and dinner to honour the 30th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop John Dew.
The event was held at St Joseph’s, Mt Victoria and nearly 60 priests attended.
The apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Charles Balvo, who also celebrates his 30th anniversary of ordination this year, was a special guest at the Mass and dinner. Father Paul Darroch, parish priest of Levin, proposed a delightfully humorous toast to the two archbishops.
Fr Paul said he had the archbishop on about celebrating his 30th anniversary when the usual practice is to mark the 25th and 40th years.
They remarked on how varied Archbishop John’s career had been which included three years in the Cook Islands giving him fluency in another language.
‘Most of us have just done parish work,’ he said.
Fr Paul remarked on the seamless transition between Cardinal Tom Williams’ administration and that of Archbishop John.
He said the priests have a great deal of regard for Archbishop John and it was good to be able to celebrate with him, especially in such numbers.