More than 180 people including 26 priests and Archbishop Daniel Bohan, gathered on June 15 for Mass and a banquet celebrating Rev. Peter Nijssen’s 50th anniversary of his ordination. His sister Stiena Roefs, nephew Peter and niece Christa came from Holland to help celebrate.

Nijssen said he came to his vocation when he was 25. “Our parish priest in Holland (where he was born) asked me what I intended to do with my life and had I ever thought of being a priest.” When he came to Canada in 1955 he entered St. Peter’s Seminary in London, ON, moved to Regina and was ordained by Archbishop Michael O’Neil on June 3, 1961.

Homilist Rev. Louis Abello and speaker Very Rev. Tonny Dizy praised their brother priest and his dedication to his vocation. Fr. Dizy spoke his first few words of greeting in Dutch, welcoming Father Nijssen’s family.

Nijssen is 87 years-old but remains active as Associate Priest at St. John the Baptist Parish, Estevan. He also teaches a human behavior course at St. Mary’s Elementary School.