A WELL-KNOWN Salisbury priest will be celebrated on Friday as he marks 50 years serving within the community.

The special Golden Jubilee mass for Father Michael Fitzpatrick, of St Osmund's Church, will be held in the city's cathedral at 7pm on Friday.

The service, marking 50 years of "priestly ministry" and "dedicated service to his community", is expected to be attended by around 1,400 worshippers. 

It will then be followed by a reception in the Cloisters.

The Right Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, said: "Fr Michael is a wonderful parish priest and an ecumenical colleague. I am delighted the cathedral is being used to celebrate his Golden Jubilee of ordination."

On behalf of the Cathedral, The Very Reverend Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, echoed the Bishop’s words.

He said: “Fifty years of ordained ministry is a remarkable act of loving service of Christ and the Church. We are thrilled to host Father Michael’s celebratory mass in Salisbury Cathedral and look forward to rejoicing with him and with our Christian brothers and sisters from across the city and across the region”

For further information about the Mass, please contact The Jubilee team on 01722 333581 or email jubilee@salisburycatholics.org