Four priests and a brother of the German Speaking Region of the Mill Hill Missionaries celebrated their jubilee this year. To mark the occasion, the missionaries invited their people to a thanksgiving service at the Capuchin monastery in Brixen (South Tyrol). The ceremony was attended by several priests from near and far, as well as family members.
The five jubilarians are: Toni Amort and Konrad Forer – 65 years as a priest;
Gustl Frenademez – 60 years as a priest;
Johann Kronbichler – 50 years as a priest;
and Hubert Neumair – 60 years as a brother.
Gustl who led the service, stressed at the beginning that the focus of the celebration was on gratitude: gratitude to God for the calling, gratitude to the many benefactors and friends who have always supported the missionaries and still do so, as well as gratitude to the fellow missionaries who have always accompanied and supported the jubilarians.
The sermon was held by the regional superior, Andreas Agreiter. He emphasized the society’s motto „Love and Serve“. The jubilarians followed the call to work as missionaries in distant countries. Now they are working at home – in a country and a church that have changed. God is calling them here at home to be messengers of God: be it offering their prayers in silence or celebrating with local communities.
During the service, the deceased brothers were also remembered. The congregation especially remembered Leonhard Kofler, who would have celebrated his 65th anniversary as a priest this year. He died in April. – After the service, all met for a shared lunch.
Anton Steiner MHM
Photos by Konrad Willeit.
