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Two Golden Jubilees

July 2, 2010

Congratulations and best wishes to Frs John Morton and Pat Negri SSS who celebrate their golden jubilee of priesthood this month on the 16th and 24th respectively. Frs John and Pat are the two remaining members of the remarkable “Group of Nine” that joined the Blessed Sacrament Congregation together in 1953 and stayed together as an unbroken group all the way through to ordination and their 10th anniversary of priesthood. 

Fr John Morton joined after serving in the war then working in local government in his native Albury. Once ordained he undertook various leadership roles in our Melbourne, Sydney, Bowral and Toowoomba communities. He also served as parish priest in Perth. Always with an eye for practical property matters, John was elected as Provincial Treasurer time and again for an extraordinary 19 years in office. These days he is in declining health and lives as a retired member of our Sydney community.  

 
Fr Pat Negri entered the novitiate on finishing his secondary schooling in Sale. After ordination he went on to serve in Sydney, Melbourne, Bowral and Lower Plenty, especially in the fields of faith education and retreat ministry. He led the Australian Province for two terms as Provincial Superior from 1972-78. In 1984 he travelled to Berkeley, California, to pursue higher studies which saw him eventually gain a doctorate in art and theology. On return he lectured at Yarra Theological Union while also flourishing as an artist. He currently serves as Provincial Treasurer. Characteristically he will celebrate his jubilee with an art exhibition in the St Francis' Pastoral Centre.   

Heavenly blessings on both!