Well-wishers gather for Father Pat’s golden celebrations

More than 250 people packed into St Hilda’s Roman Catholic church in Whitby to celebrate together.

It was a special occasion for parish priest

Father Pat Keogh, with two celebrations falling together, the Feast of Corpus Christi and the golden jubilee of his ordination.

His brother, Father Michael Keogh, parish priest of the Sacred Heart, Northallerton, gave the homily and Father Michael Weitl from Madonna House and Deacon Paul Griffin joined them on the altar.

Many people from Father Pat’s previous churches, including the Sacred Heart, St Joseph’s and St Thomas More in Middlesbrough, as well as Brotton, joined the celebration.

Father Pat is a well-known figure around Whitby, meeting and greeting all and sundry as he ambles along.

Always willing to chat, and interested in the people he encounters, whether they are officially parishioners or not, it is said you are lucky if it only takes an hour to get to the swing bridge from his church if you have Father Pat with you.

His charisma, his pastoral care and an occasionally wicked sense of humour, but most of all his deep faith, have attracted many to church and to encounter God in the ups and downs of their daily lives. Five people were received into the Church at Easter.

His warm welcome is to all who come to Sunday services, whether local or holiday maker – and come they do!

Father Pat was ordained in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1973 before coming to the Diocese of Middlesbrough where he has served for 50 years, in Grangetown, Brotton and Middlesbrough as a parish priest and as a hospital chaplain and chaplain to the crews at Teesport, before coming to Whitby in 2012. Ever aware of people’s needs, Father Pat has