61 YEARS TODAY IN SOUTH SACRAMENTO AS A PRIEST OF JESUS CHRIST : RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR EDWARD J. KAVANAGH.........

December 17, 1948, was a fortutious day in the Catholic Life of Sacramento. On that date, just six months and eleven days ordained a priest, 23 year old Reverend Father Eddie Kavanagh arrived from his native County Kilkenny, Ireland, to take up his first appointment as a priest in the Sacramento Diocese - Assistant Pastor of St. Rose's Parish and Assistant Director of St. Patrick's Home For Children, on Franklin Boulevard in South Sacramento. Now, 61 years to the day later, Reverend Monsignor Edward J. Kavanagh, is still there at age 84, the Pastor-Emeritus of St. Roses's and Executive Director Emeritus of St. Patrick's, in what has been his one and only priestly assignment. Happy 61st Anniversary in Sacramento, Msgr. Kavanagh...Today I visited with him at St. Rose's with the thought of taking him to lunch to celebrate his special day. However, true to our lifelong relationship, of never knowing where I may end up going with him, we instead were joined by his successor as St. Rose's Pastor, Msgr. James Church, and attended the, 'Over The Hill Gang', December Luncheon at the Dante Club. We were warmly welcomed by President Ron Brusato, and the members, while also being joined by a Presbyterian Minister, Greek Orthodox Priest, and Jewish Rabbi. Father Martin Brusato, arrived after coming from a medical appointment. It made for an enjoyable afternoon........."O Come, O Wisdom, From On High And Order All Mightily", In the Advent of the Lord Who Comes, Fr. Troy