Fr Ambrose McNamee O.C.D. recently celebrated his 100th birthday when a Mass of celebration was held in the Carmelite Abbey Loughrea followed by dinner in The Lough Rea Hotel & Spa.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael Duignan who was assisted by retired Bishop Brendan Kelly, Bishop Philip Boyce of the Carmelite Community, his fellow Carmelite priests, and many priests from the parish. During the celebration Monsignor Cathal Gereghty P.P.V.G presented Fr Ambrose with a framed copy of his Baptismal Certificate which he received on his Baptismal Day in Loughrea Cathedral 1923.
In his early days Fr Ambrose McNamee was a very skillful hurler and played with Loughrea along with his brothers Vincent and Kieran. He is the last surviving member of the Loughrea Senior Team who won the County Title in 1941. He also played Minor and Senior hurling for Galway. He is an honorary member of St Brendan’s Hurling Club Loughrea, and he was joined with many fellow members of St Brendan’s Club on the day.
Fr Ambrose joined the Carmelite Order and was professed October 3 1945 and was ordained a priest on April 2 1949. He had many assignments throughout England including setting up a monastery in Boars Hill, Oxford. On the day of his celebration a video was shown from the present community in Boars Hill acknowledging Fr Ambrose’s lifelong affiliation to the monastery.
He never lost his love for Loughrea and its people and returned to the Abbey Community over twenty years ago, where he has given outstanding and unselfish service to the Abbey and the Cathedral.
Monsignor Cathal Geraghty said his energy at 100 years of age is an example to us all.
“His dedication to his priestly ministry over the years is something for which we are all grateful. We at the Cathedral have benefited from his generous spirit. He was always willing to help, “if there is anything I can do to help, just let me know” was a sentence we often heard from him”.
The Carmelite Community, fellow priest and family some who travelled long distances enjoyed a beautiful meal and social occasion which was hosted very professionally by all at The Lough Rea Hotel and Spa.
A truly memorable occasion with so many people young and old celebrating Fr Ambrose’s lifetime achievements, which he is thoroughly enjoyed and is grateful to all who were involved.
