Charity Concert and Farewell to Fr Pat

By John Moran

A fund raiser concert in aid of Lourdes pilgrimages for the sick was held on Saturday 28 September at the Chapel on the Hill in Whitby. The main performer was Katie Doherty & The Navigators, but the event also served as a farewell to Fr Patrick Keogh. Fr Pat, as he is fondly known, is retiring as parish priest of St Hilda’s Catholic parish after 12 years in Whitby and over 50 years in the Diocese of Middlesbrough.

Katie performed a range of folk songs from her latest albums, which cover the current state of the world, plus more local themes from her family and the north east. Fr Pat was the priest who officiated at Kate’s wedding at Mount Grace Priory in 2014, and their friendship goes way back to when she was a young girl. It was fitting that she dedicated the song “Bridges” and other favourites to him. She called him a “shining light and inspiration in her life” and wished him well in his retirement.

The highlight of the evening however, was a last performance from the Chancy Brothers, which included Canon Eddie Gubbins from Scarborough and Rev Kieran Kilcommons from Robin Hoods Bay as well as Fr Pat. The three priests performed a number of Irish folk songs including “The Wild Rover” which had the audience singing and clapping along.

Fr Pat was born in Limerick and ordained in Tipperary in 1973. Since 2012 he has been the charismatic parish priest of both St Hilda’s and English Martyrs church in Sleights. As well as his pastoral duties, he has been active in his support for asylum seekers, the sick and unfortunate throughout the diocese. His roles have included Chaplain of both Teeside Port and James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, and he will continue as pastor for the Lourdes pilgrimages.

Fr Pat was joined on stage by the Rev Michael Gobbitt, the Anglican Minister for Whitby and serving the Anglican community at St.Hilda’s church on the Westcliff & St.John’s and St Mary’s Church, Whitby

At his last Sunday mass the following day, he received a standing ovation from the congregation. His parishioners will miss his services and sense of humour, but warmly welcome Fr Michael Sellers who will take over as the parish priest role as from 1 October 2024.

Video by Michaela Weingarten