Golden Jubilee for Fr Vincent McGillicuddy OMI

Thursday 26 July 2012

RESPECTED Oblate priest, Fr Vincent McGillicuddy OMI, celebrated 50 years of priestly life, on July 12. He joined with family, fellow Oblates and parishioners in a concelebrated mass led by Australian Provincial, Fr Harry Dyer OMI at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Sefton, New South Wales. 

Following the Mass, Fr Dyer presented Fr McGillicuddy with a Papal Blessing, in recognition of his commitment to the Church. More than twenty parishioners joined in to celebrate with a barbecue in the parish grounds.

A qualified chartered accountant, Fr Vincent joined the Oblate Novitiate at Sorrento in 1955 and, after completing studies at the Oblate scholasticate in South Africa and Rome, was ordained a priest in Rome on July 12, 1962.

On returning to Australia, Fr Vincent went on to spend 24 years teaching mathematics, accounting and religious studies to senior students at two Oblate colleges, Iona College in Brisbane and Mazenod College in Melbourne. Fr Vincent is also distinguished for his versatility and ‘can do’ attitude, serving a 13-year term as the Provincial Bursar, as well as having worked in every one of the Oblate parishes throughout Australia.

Currently working in his home state of NSW, in the parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary, as Assistant Priest, Fr Vincent has made it his special mission over the years to minister to the sick, house-bound and elderly, where his genuine compassion and humble and calm disposition, have endeared him to the many. Fr Vincent’s long involvement in education and work as a chaplain for the Cursillo Movement and Teams of Our Lady has also earned him many respectful friends, including past pupils and teachers, as well as members of the lay ecclesiastical community.


Photo: Golden Jubilarian, Fr Vincent McGillicuddy OMI