Story By: Fr Michael O’Brien

What does it feel like to be part of something for 50 years? Something that gives you energy and fulfilment every day? Something that allows you to be part of people’s lives so as to experience their hopes and dreams?

For Dorothy O’Reilly, it has been a blessed journey indeed! Dorothy has been the secretary of St Joseph’s Parish Stanthorpe for 50 years. During that time, she has walked with many people of the parish through celebratory and distressing times. Dorothy completed her schooling at St Joseph’s School

Stanthorpe in the early 1970s and took up the role of secretary in the parish pretty much straight away. Dorothy’s connection to the priests who have served at St Joseph’s is a testament to her abilities and friendship. Half of the time was with the late Fr Lino Valente over his two appointments to Stanthorpe, of whom she has very heartfelt memories.

To commemorate this amazing achievement her two sisters, Noreen and Veronica, who live in Toowoomba, came with me to surprise her with a Papal Blessing to mark this great occasion. To say she was surprised is an understatement, although her modesty in this accomplishment probably means she’ll never talk to me again when this article is published!

We celebrated with lunch at the local RSL hosted by Fr Gonzalo Garcia Duran and were joined by other parishioners. 

From Fr Gonzalo, past priests and the parishioners of St Joseph’s, thank you, Dorothy, for all you have given this community over the last 50 years. As Fr Lino would probably say, Grazie Mille (A thousand thank yous).