Fr Patrick McAuliffe has been “a true image of a father” in his 60 years of priesthood, Fr Liem Duong said at a celebration Mass at Sacred Heart, Cabramatta, where “Fr Mac” served for more than 40 years.
Hundreds of parishioners gathered on 24 July to honour the priest who retired in February.
“Fr Mac, on behalf of everyone at Sacred Heart parish, Cabramatta, the people you have loved and cared for over 42 years, we wish to extend our sincere congratulations to you for the gifts of priesthood, which you have provided to the people of God for the past 60 years.
“We give God thanks for your dedication and untiring work and prayers. We are so blessed to celebrate this wonderful occasion with you and continue to praise our Almighty God for what He has done through the gift of your priesthood.”