Good Samaritan, Dallas, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Rev. George Monroe’s ordination to the priesthood. Monroe was ordained to the diaconate in the Dallas diocese by Bishop Charles Avery Mason, and ordained to the priesthood in 1968 by Suffragan Bishop William Barnds. After ordination Monroe served as a curate at St. John’s in Fort Worth. He then served in the Chicago Diocese for where he served as a parish priest and later as Canon to the Ordinary. 

After retirement, Monroe settled in Dallas where he is licensed and serves as a supply priest. He attends Good Samaritan in Dallas.

The church recognized the significance of Monroe’s 50 years of ordained ministry and expressedtheir deep love and appreciation for his lifelong work. During a recent service the congregation laid hands on Monroe while he received a blessing from the Rev. Joel Hatfield, vicar at Good Samaritan.

Monroe expressed his gratitude to his fellow parishioners. “John Donne, the metaphysical poet and Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, said, ‘No man is an island.’  In fact, it seems rather novel in a society so enamored with individualism that even our faith is often forgetful that God through Jesus is intent on saving ‘his people,’ and not just a collection of disconnected souls. I say this to you my friends because not only am I grateful for your outpouring of kindness and generosity to me on the 50^th anniversary of my ordination to the sacred priesthood, but more importantly because I am madly and deeply grateful to be a part of this band of believers…this little island we call Church of the Good Samaritan.”

 

A reception was held after the service, and was attended by parishioners, friends, and neighbors. Monroe shared a photo album with pictures from his ordination and his days at Nashotah House Seminary. With much laughterand a few tears, many heartfelt tributes were given in testimony of his love and care as a pastor.

By way of thanks, the parish gifted Monroe with a trip to one of his favorite destinations, Cibolo Creek Ranch. Also, on behalf of Bishop Sumner, a certificate was presentedhonoring the occasion.

Reflecting on his 50 years in the priesthood, Monroe said, “I once heard an Anglican superior talk about the women who tried their vocations in her order.  She said, ‘Some come here loving the Church, some come loving Our Lord, hopefully in time they learn to love both.’  I want to love Our Lord and I want to love His body the Church as dearly as He does.”