German Pallottine credits God for 60 years of priesthood

After 60 years as a priest, all the credit goes to God says beloved Parish Priest

By Bill Smith
Well known Perth priest Fr John Luemmen, a member of the Pallottine family, celebrated his 60th anniversary of priestly ordination on Friday, 9 July.
After being drafted and serving in the German Army in the Second World War, Fr John was ordained with nine other Pallottine deacons on 9 July 1950 at Limburg in Germany.
A year later he and three others were sent to Australia as missionaries. Of the 10 who were ordained, only two are alive today, Fr John and Bishop John Jobst, the retired Bishop of Broome who now lives in Austria.
A special anniversary Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church in Riverton on 9 July.
Seven fellow Pallottine priests concelebrated, including Fr Ray Hevern, Superior of the Pallotine
province in Australia as the main celebrant.
Fr John had spent over 20 years as Parish Priest of Riverton, retiring in 1994.
In his homily Fr Hevern spoke of Fr John’s faithfulness to his priesthood and of his work at the Pallottine training centre in Rossmoyne.
Following the Mass a celebration was held in the Fr John Luemmen parish hall in Riverton.
Many parishioners, Pallottine lay missionaries and Aboriginal ex-students attended.
Fr Joe Butscher SAC congratulated Fr John on reaching this great milestone and gave a brief history of his priestly ministry.
Several parishioners spoke, thanking Fr John for his pastoral care and friendship in the parish.
Several Aboriginal ex-students recalled their experience at the Pallottine centre and thanked Fr John for enabling them and others to achieve a good education.
In reply, Fr John reflected on his 60 years in ministry, thanking God for calling him to the priesthood.
He singled out two important people who journeyed with him. Edith Litttle, an Aboriginal lay missionary, was a co-founder of the Pallottine centre at Rossmoyne who died suddenly in 1975.
Margaret Park, a Pallottine lay missionary, replaced Edith at the centre and later became Fr John’s secretary and housekeeper at Riverton.
Back in Uedem in Germany, close to his birthplace, a special thanksgiving Mass was also celebrated in recognition of Fr John’s anniversary.
Fr John is now in his 90th year and resides at the Pallottine Community at Rossmoyne. He enjoys having friends drop in, continues to drive and visit the sick and aged in the parish.