Challenges that face the Society and those it serves: (February 2005)

When Bangor-born Perry Gildea - then studying at Armagh's St Patrick's college - determined to join the Vincentian Order he little realised that, after a lifetime of dedication to an international community, he would return to Northern Ireland and be asked to be spiritual advisor to the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Perry's decision, taken initially against the wishes of his mother, (he remembers a Christmas holiday that was almost destroyed by an argument between them on the subject) is one that he has never regretted.

"In the fifties in the North the career opportunities for an educated school leaver were not as wide as today - if you weren't going to teach, you entered the church, studied law or joined the family business", he said.

So perhaps it was not strange that he felt called to the Church.

Fr Perry Gildea - Vincentian Fathers

Cliftonville Road, Belfast 15

"The Vincentians I met at college were a happy lot who seemed to enjoy what they were doing and I was drawn towards them - they were momentous times".

Upon his ordination the new priest was posted to Rome where he arrived the day before the opening of the Vatican Council that was to have such a profound effect on the future of the Catholic Church.

Father Gildea remained in Rome for the duration of the Council. On completion of his studies he returned to Ireland where he took up a post lecturing in moral theology in All Hallows College, Dublin.

Later, he was posted to Maynooth as one of the spiritual directors for the clerical students. During the summers at this time he also completed another degree in liturgical studies.

His next posting was to Strawberry Hill, University of Surrey, where he both lectured in liturgy and Christian ethics and served as college chaplain.

His last appointment in England was as parish priest in the Vincentian parish in Mill Hill in north London.

Since september 2003 Father Perry has been attached to the Vincentian Community in Belfast. Like many other orders, the Vincentians have seen a considerable reduction in their numbers in times.

Father Gildea sees a value in the fact that, as a result, many of the ministries of the Church are increasingly being shared by its lay members.

"In many ways we have become specialists in the management of the Church and its affairs, supporting and training lay members for ministry," he said.

From his new location in Vincentian House on the Cliftonville Road he offers spiritual guidance not only to two of the area councils of the Society of St Vincent de Paul but from the beginning of last year to the northern regional council itself.

He also has a special brief, to facilitate the setting up pf an adult education programme to replicate the successful programmes for lay people offered by All Hallows College in Dublin.

Archived Reflections....click here

He is pleased to have some role in the Society of St Vincent de Paul who are doing so much to help alleviate the social deprivation of many parts of Northern Ireland.

There is need for this help - in urban localities close to where he now lives unemployment runs at 40 percent, reflected in its housing and the physical and emotional conditions of those who live in what was formerly a prosperous and even genteel part of Belfast.

He is delighted however to be back in an area where his family ties remain strong. A sister and her family still live in a house in Cushendun that for many years was home to the young Perry and to which the sixty seven year old priest returns weekly.

This regular return to a non-urban environment allows him to pursue his other interests - bird watching, outdoor photography and fishing.

A full, informed and contented man with a width of international experience in guiding others behind him, Father Gildea promises to be of significant benefit to the Vincentian Order and to the northern region of a Society with which it shares the name of an uncommon founder.

Larry McArdle - Regional President (April 2005)

Father Perry Gildea