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MAY 2, 2024
Fifty years ago, Leonard Danvers and Joe Stack were on the threshold of their ordination as Catholic priests – naive young men, they told Viv Posselt. They were on the cusp of a lifelong commitment to the church. Next week, they will mark that jubilee in services acknowledging their unwavering loyalty.
Oh brother! It’s 50 years
The longtime friends, both septuagenarians sporting grey beards and a collegial banter, now hold the title of monsignor, granted by the Pope to denote a special honorary clerical status. They will mark their 50-year milestones in separate jubilee services in Waikato next week. Mons Stack, who leads St Patrick’s Church in Te Awamutu, will celebrate on May 11, while Mons Danvers, who leads St Peter’s Church Cambridge, will mark his on May 12. That their collective contribution to the Catholic Church in New Zealand has reached this point seems to surprise neither of them. After all, they suggest, that was the purpose of seven years of study at seminary… seven years in which many of their original class of 31 dropped out, leaving just 10 who were ordained. What they share now is a deep appreciation at how well it’s gone, how much they have packed in and how much they have learned along the way. “This is so much more than a career,” said Danvers, “it is really a calling. Above all, it is relationship-based. We intersect with people at some the most significant times of their lives and they don’t forget that. We see that as a real privilege.” Stack agreed, adding that over and above their commitment to their respective congregations, both have also held administrative roles within the church and the Hamilton diocese during those years. Both men grew up in strongly Catholic families. Danvers was born in Hastings but moved with his sister to be raised by their Manurewa-based grandparents after his mother’s death. He became an altar boy, then went to St Peter’s College where early thoughts of entering the priesthood began to percolate. “We used to have ‘old boy’ priests who came Genial monsignors Joe Stack and Leonard Danvers, who celebrate their 50th year as to talk to us,” he said. Continued on page 5 Catholic priests next week, are quite often mistaken for brothers. Photo: Viv Posselt
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