Fr Pat Cleary was appointed Parish Priest of Thetford in 1985 for his first tenure. After moving around for some years, including appointments to Lowestoft and Wymondham, he was finally re-appointed to Thetford in 2022, making his first parish also his last.
The Parish of Thetford gathered on Friday September 5, to honour and celebrate the ministry of Fr Pat Cleary, with a wonderful display of food, humour and friendship.
Fr Pat was greeted with a round of applause as he entered the parish hall and was completely taken aback by the generosity and goodwill of the parish community in providing such an array of food for the occasion. The evening was made even more special when Deacon Justin Cross read out a letter that Bishop Peter Collins had sent to the parish regarding Fr Pat’s achievements during his ministry within the Diocese of East Anglia, and also highlighted the work that Fr Pat undertook with the Missionary Society of St James in Peru and as assistant director of the society.
The bishop remarked that in his file, those responsible for Fr Pat’s training as a priest noted that he ‘was a good type’ and a man of ‘excellent character,’ ‘trustworthy and a man with a resounding sense of humour.’ At this point, the congregation cheered and clapped, as this was the very person standing before them.
Fr Pat was ordained as a deacon in June 1978 and to the priesthood in December of that year. He often mentions in his homilies that, during his time of ordination as a deacon and a priest, he saw three Popes — St Paul VI, John Paul I, and St John Paul II — as 1978 was the year of three Popes.
Fr Pat served in various parishes as an assistant priest, beginning in Cambridge at OLEM and St Mary’s in Ipswich, where he was also the priest chaplain to St Alban’s Catholic High School, and later at the Cathedral. He was appointed Parish Priest of Thetford in 1985 for his first tenure. He left the diocese to join the Society of St James and returned in 1999, being appointed to Lowestoft, followed by St Neots in Cambridge, Wymondham, and finally being re-appointed to Thetford in 2022.
Among his parish duties across the diocese, Fr Pat was appointed to several roles, including rural dean in two deaneries, serving as vocations director, and being part of the diocesan safeguarding team. For many years, he also helped organise the annual children’s pilgrimage to Walsingham, which started during his first tenure at Thetford. Bishop Alan recognised Fr Pat by making him a Canon of the Cathedral in 2020.
Following the letter, tributes were paid to Fr Pat by Paul Gilbert, who served as Chair of the Parish Council. He thanked him for his friendship, kindness and generosity towards the parishioners, and for his dedication in always supporting others, before inquiring if there could be a third tenure. Deacon Justin Cross also paid tribute to Fr Pat’s dedication and commitment to serving the parish and diocese with joy.
Shortly afterwards, Fr Pat spoke about his ministry and how his time in Peru influenced his future work. During this speech, parishioners caught a further glimpse of the well-known humour that he has become famous for.
A priest will always hold a special fondness for their first and last parish; in this case, Thetford will always be meaningful in Fr Pat’s ministry, and his tenure was extended by a year, surpassing the church’s retirement age. The parishioners of Thetford will cherish and hold him in their hearts and souls for many years to come.
Fr Pat has always had a keen interest in sport, so there is no doubt that he will attend the cricket match in Nottingham and watch football in Ipswich. He is also looking forward to returning to Peru in January for a reunion with those he worked and ministered with in the Society of St James.
Fr Pat was not just a parish priest; he became a close friend to everyone. He also promised that he would return to the parish to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026!
Story and photos courtesy of The Diocese of East Anglia: rcdea.org.uk/fr-pat-retires
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