TWO PRIESTS WHOSE 63 YEARS AND 47 YEARS OF CHARITABLE MINISTRY IN THE SACRAMENTO DIOCESE HAS MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION...........

63 years ago today a newly ordained priest arrived in Sacramento, from Kilkenny, in Ireland to begin serving in the Diocese of Sacramento.  He was appointed to St. Rose's Parish and St. Patrick's Home, as his first assignment as a priest; which unforseeably on that day, became not only his parish, but diocesan home for the next six and one third decades, and counting.  This priest is Reverend Monsignor Edward J. Kavanagh.  In September 1964, another young Irish priest, also ordained from St. Kieran's Seminary, in the city that is now my second home outside of Sacramento - Kilkenny; arrived in Sacramento to take up his ordained ministry as a priest of the Diocese of Sacramento.  Serving his early years at Sacred Heart Parish in East Sacramento, and Oir Lady of Lourdes Parish, here in Del Paso Heights, he has spent the past 35 years as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Oak Park, and St. Joseph's Parish in Clarksburg.  He also founded and presided over the Sacramento Food Bank Services.  This priest is Reverend Father Daniel Madigan.  The combined 110 years Father Madigan and Monsignor Kavanagh have given pastoral, spiritual, and charitable ministry to the Church of Sacramento has made an astounding contribution to the betterment of children, families, the needy, poor, and less fortunate.  Their stewardship of resources and leadership of people, Catholics and those who are not; along with their astonishing fundraising, greatly benefits the Church and the wider Community.  And to think, the ecclesiastical Sacramento saga, of these two outstanding Catholic priests, began on this date, December 17, 1948, when young Father Eddie / Ned Kavanagh stepped off a train, met with the Most Reverend Bishop Robert J. Armstrong at the Cathedral, and went home with his first, but only four day Pastor, Reverend Father Patrick J. Bennett, to his new and still continuing home on Franklin Boulevard in South Sacramento...........With Love, Fraternity, Appreciation, and Affection, For Fathers Eddie  + Dan,    Fr.  Troy