February 14, 2015

Three of our monks celebrated with the community and friends a Thanksgiving Mass followed by a buffet supper on their 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Abbot Aidan Shea (retired) was ordained on February 10. 1965, in Boston so that his elderly mother could attend the ceremony. Fr. Michael Hall, Fr. Mark Sheridan (now a monk of Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem), and Fr. Christopher Wyvill were ordained on Valentine’s Day that year at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in NW Washington, DC. In addition to many offices and positions they have held in the monastery over the years, they have all been at times teachers at the Abbey School, chaplains to sisters in the area, assisting priests in parishes, and masters of retreats. Abbot Aidan served 16 years (two terms) as elected abbot of the community and taught for more than four decades in the School. Fr. Michael has been Prior for many years and is also presently Chaplain at our School. Fr. Christopher was Bursar and Treasurer of the Abbey and School for more than 20 years and is currently the Vocation Director. They thank their brother monks, the families and many friends who have prayed with them and for them, and have supported them in their ministries through the half century since ordination.