‘It has been a great journey’ - Father Paddy Doherty celebrates 50 years in the priesthood

Father Paddy Doherty has celebrated 50 years in the priesthood. 

A special mass to mark the Golden Jubilee took place in St. Mary’s Church, Maghera on Thursday evening. 

Born in Buncrana, Fr Doherty later grew up in Derry and went on to attend Long Tower Primary School and St Columb's College in the city. 

Fr Doherty studied for the priesthood in St. Patrick’s College Maynooth and was officially ordained on June 15 1975. 

His ordination took place in St. Patrick’s Church in Pennyburn, Derry.

Father Doherty credits the ideals of faith, family, his local parish and school as his inspiration for choosing a career in the priesthood. 

Following his ordination, Father Doherty was stationed at St. Brigid's Carnhill in Derry between 1975 and 1984. 

In the last five decades, Father Doherty served in various parishes throughout Derry and Tyrone. 

This included time in Killyclogher, Omagh in the 80s, later returning to County Derry in 1991 when he became Curate in Maghera. 

While helping with duties of the parish he also became Chaplain in St. Patrick’s College, Maghera.

Fr Doherty returned for a brief time to the city when he became parish administrator in Carnhill. 

Not long after there was a five year stay in Castlederg before returning to Derry where he became parish priest in Glendermot and Strathfoyle.

Eventually he settled as parish priest in Maghera in 2011 where he has remained since. 

Speaking to the County Derry Post about his time in the priesthood and reflecting on his 50 years Fr Doherty said he is grateful to all those who have supported him over the last five decades.

“I feel sincere gratitude for my many years in the priesthood. I am grateful for all the blessings that have been received. I am also very grateful to the many people that I have met on my journey all of which have offered support including my family. It is a great honour to be able to celebrate it,” he said.

“I have been very welcomed and blessed in every parish I have been to in my time. I have had a variety of ministries. Carnhill was newly opened when I was there, Killyclogher was a hospital chapel and Maghera has been more focused on schools. The Lord brought me through the ups and downs of it all but generally speaking it has been a great journey.”