WHEN Father Pat "Flags" Flanagan was ordained, it was a rarity for priests to celebrate 60 years in the cloth.

But that was the achievement he reached on Friday as he celebrated a career that has seen him serve at many parishes across the Diocese.

"I'm glad I've made it," he said with a laugh. "I hoped that I would reach the year 2000.

"I think there are about six priests ahead of me in the Dio...