Msgr. Murray beginning to greet his friends and parishioners outside of the St. Anthony's after Mass had concluded. Left to right: Msgr. Mark Chamberlin (back to camera), Msgr. Roger Smith, Msgr. Murray, and Bishop Mulvey. Chamberlain is pastor at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Portland; Smith is pastor at St. Patrick Church.

For Monsignor William Celestine Murray, Pastor of St. Anthony in Violet, there is nothing else he would rather be doing than shepherding his flock.

Thus it was appropriate that on June 19th of Father's Day weekend, Msgr. Murray observed his 55th anniversary of ordination by celebrating Mass with his parishioners, friends and special guests.

Msgr. Murray was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Waterford, Ireland for the Diocese of Corpus Christi on June 19, 1955.

"I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I retired. I need something to do each day to get me up in the morning," stated Msgr. Murray explaining why at age 79 he is still actively serving the people of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

With con-celebrates Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey, Msgr. Roger Smith, Msgr. Mark Chamberlin, Father Don Downey and Father Pete Elizardo, Msgr. Murray offered Mass in thanksgiving for fathers everywhere.

In his homily, Bishop Mulvey compared the life of a father to the life of a priest.

"A father keeps the family together and protects the family."

Msgr. Murray acts as father to his parishioners said Bishop Mulvey. "In being the father of the parish, Msgr. Murray gathers people together to experience the Gospel. The priest brings the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ to the parish. The priest brings us the presence of Christ," said Bishop Mulvey.

"We are all God's children," and for 55 years Msgr. Murray has been a kind, generous and courageous priest for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

In concluding his homily, Bishop Mulvey thanked God "for the priesthood and ministry of Msgr. Murray. We are all grateful to God for all of the gifts He has provided through Msgr. Murray. You are loved by God."

After the closing of the Mass, Msgr. Murray stepped forward and thanked everyone for sharing with him this joyous anniversary.

Looking out over a packed church, Msgr. Murray asked, "Where have the years gone? 55 years. I have done the best I could with the little I have. My life has been one of love."

A native of Waterford County, Ireland, Msgr. Murray had volunteered to come and serve in the Diocese of Corpus Christi as a newly ordained priest.

Msgr. Murray's first assignment in the diocese was as an assistant pastor at Christ the King parish where he met and became friends with parishioners Joyce and Bob Riley.

"We wouldn't miss this celebration for anything," said Joyce Riley.

Now, parishioners at St. Patrick, the Riley family counts Msgr. Murray as one of their dearest friends.

"He has been coming over to house for dinner for the past 55 years. We have attended every bar-b-que, fund raising event and church picnic at just about every parish Msgr. Murray has served," said Joyce.

Bob Riley gave his impressions of Msgr. Murray as being "one of the best priests ever and a very good golfer."

Msgr. Murray's love of golf was a recurring theme as long time friends shared their impressions of their priest.

Calling Msgr. Murray a golf shark, Bill "Hump" Franklin met Msgr. Murray when Msgr. Murray was assigned to St. Gertrude parish in Kingsville.

Now living in Burnet, TX and a parishioner at Our Mother of Sorrows, Franklin counts Msgr. Murray as one of his closest friends.

"He comes up to visit and play golf. He is a fine golfer, and a wonderful priest," remarked Franklin.

Another parishioner of St. Gertrude, Joyce Bynum said, "Msgr. Murray is a special person to us. He was always there for us when ever we needed him. We spent a lot of happy and sad times together."

Many of the well wishers gathered at St. Anthony for the celebration were from the parishes where Msgr. Murray has served the Lord: Christ the King, Our Lady of Refuge in Refugio, St. John of the Cross in Orange Grove, St. Francis in Agua Dulce, Immaculate Conception in Goliad, St. Gertrude in Kingsville, St. Therese in Woodsboro and St. Mary Mission in Bayside.

"I have lived my life in Christ," explained Msgr. Murray.

"I had happy, glorious and sad days. I have always prayed for perseverance and for the gift of faith. Because with faith there is no explanation necessary, and without faith no explanation is possible," concluded Msgr. Murray.