Scottish Catholic Observer

A GLASGOW man who has given more than half of his life to serving his parish celebrated his 100th birthday recently by welcoming the youngest member of the congregation into the Church.

Frank Kelly, who received a papal blessing from Pope Francis on his centenary celebration, has been involved with St Gregory Barbrigo’s in Maryhill since its establishment in 1965, and the parish celebrated his long commitment on the same day as it Baptised the newest member of the congregation.

Committed Catholic Mr Kelly was on the first parish committee, set up by the first parish priest Fr Murphy, to oversee the new Catholic community. He has been a stalwart parishioner ever since, Fr Allan Cameron, the current parish priest, said.

“Frank has a great interest in Church history, is extremely well read, and always ready to see the events of the past shedding light on the present,” Fr Cameron said.

“God has blessed him with an encyclopaedic memory, which is still as sharp at 100 years of age as at any other time.”

Mr Kelly was born on August 10 1918 and, from an early age, was involved with the life of the Church, cherishing his deep commitment to the Legion of Mary.

He was involved with the Legion’s Peregrinatio Pro Christo to Finland; having learned to say the Rosary in Finnish, which he still speaks every day.

Mr Kelly lost his wife, May, in a tragic car crash when they had a young family.

He also suffered from serious injuries himself.

Fr Cameron said that despite the tragedy, ‘Frank’s devotion and Faith remained strong, sustaining him through it all.’

Because of other endeavours, the parish celebration of Mr Kelly’s 100th had to be postponed by just over a week.

“The celebrations had to be delayed until August 19,” Fr Cameron said.

“However, by a happy coincidence the Baptism of a new parishioner, Mateo, took place at the Mass, and Frank was able to make the connection that this was happening on the very anniversary of his own Baptism 100 years ago to the day.

“The children of the parish sang Happy Birthday to him at the end of the Children’s Liturgy, and the rest of the parishioners joined in with great gusto.

“The parish was happy to present Frank with a papal blessing from his namesake, Pope Francis, followed by a celebration in the hall.

“The centrepiece was a cake in the shape of a football ground, as football is one of Frank’s other great abiding interests.”