Golden!

Fifty years of comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. Fifty years of serving the servants. Fifty years of heeding Christ's call to feed all of his sheep.

Reverend John Dwyer celebrates his golden anniversary as a priest.

Whoa!

Lohud has the story:

"Worshippers filled the pews of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church yesterday afternoon for a special Mass to commemorate the Rev. John Dwyer's 50 years of service in the priesthood.

'We all truly love him,' said Jinny Coldy, 75, of Blauvelt, a longtime parishioner. 'He is the most dedicated and kind man. He's always there for everyone. He's been a godsend.'

Dwyer, who was ordained in 1956 after attending St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, began at the church as assistant pastor in 1987 and was named its pastor in 1990.

During the Mass, parishioners laughed and clapped as the 76-year-old Bronx native regaled his audience with funny, humble and poignant anecdotes from his years as a priest.

'I've been so blessed to witness a great variety in life and the differences that make each person so special,' said Dwyer, who spoke of the more than 20 years he spent as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force."

May God continue to bless and keep his servant, Fr. Dwyer. May his faithful witness continue to inspire his parishioners, and the rest of us, to better love Christ and each other. Congratulations, Fr. Dwyer!