40 years priest
Last Pentecost Sunday marked the 40th anniversary of the priesthood of Monsignor de Jong, parish priest of Maastricht-East. Besides his pastoral duties, he is also auxiliary bishop of Roermond, army bishop and bishop of the prison service. I don't think I have even named all his activities with that. Former Bishop Frans Wiertz, the rector of Rolduc and some senior members of the armed forces attended the celebration. The parishioners did not walk out en masse; the church was only partially filled. In and around the pubs at the later carnival celebrations, however, it was very busy. Typical of the current times.