Tributes paid to parish priest
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A REQUIEM mass for a much-loved parish priest takes place today.
Monsignor Robert McDonald died peacefully in his Moray home town of Dufftown on March 14 at the age of 89.
He was known for his pastoral dedication and gentle courtesy and was held in deep appreciation and affection.
Mgr McDonald was born in Dufftown in March, 1929, the son of watchmaker father Charles and mother Marybel.
From his family of four came another priest, the late Canon Bernard, and Mgr McDonald was a dear brother to Sister Nancy, a Nun of the Sacred Heart Society. His twin John sadly died in infancy.
After school he went on to Blairs College, near Aberdeen, and then the Seminary of St Sulpice, in Paris, before his ordination at St Mary’s, Dufftown.
In 2012, he celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, having served in Aberdeen, Kirkwall, Dornie, Elgin and Inverness.
He was a gifted editor and in his spare time he wrote booklets including Highland and other Recipes and Churches and Places of Catholic Interest in Moray.
After retiring to Fochabers, he wrote the book Priests I Have Known and proceeds from its 2014 publication went to help with the restoration of the Dufftown church in which he was ordained.
As well as his work as a parish priest, Mgr McDonald held numerous responsibilities over the years, including Diocesan Treasurer, National Promoter of the Propagation of the Faith, Cathedral Canon, Dean of the Highland Deanery and Provost of the Aberdeen Chapter of Canons.
Mgr Robert was received into the chapel at Pluscarden Abbey yesterday and the Funeral Mass takes place today at noon.
After the Mass, Mgr Robert will be laid to rest in Dufftown.
