Last weekend, Fr Charles Garrick SDB, Manager of St Joseph's Bolton, celebrated 50 years of priesthood and 60 years of Salesian religious life, with the Thornleigh community . A special papal blessing arranged by his sister arrived from Rome in time for the occasion. Fr Bob Gardner SDB salutes a remarkable Salesian.

"Where have all those years gone?" said Fr Charles as he led the Salesian Community at Bolton in the Eucharist. "But they've been good years, very good years as a Salesian of Don Bosco..."

Anniversaries in themselves can say a lot about a person, but going through Fr Charles' 60 years as a Salesian was pretty impressive. From time working in Aberdour in Fife, Crumlin in Dublin, and his many years service at St Joseph's Bolton the quality that has always stood out is his kindness, 60 years of kindness.

His love for Scotland and his music from the accordion are two things that Thornleigh and St Joseph's have come to appreciate, and his rendition of the 'Dark Isle' is legendary.

We wish you many more years in the service of the Lord . . . .