George is ‘hooked’ by Fr Jim’s determination
TV and radio personality George Hook will be the special guest at the Dominican Church Midsummer Ball at the Westcourt Hotel on Saturday June 24.
And he told the Drogheda Independent this week that he’s looking forward to the event, and meeting up with old pal Fr Jim Donleavy.
He says his interest in the Dominicans goes beyond religion, feeling that Fr Jim deserves support because he wants to remain in his role in Drogheda.
‘I invited him onto my radio show and I thought it was unfair that he was being forced into premature retirement.
‘I came up for the St Patrick’s Day event and was then invited to the church repair fundraiser on Saturday.’
Had life turned out a little different, George might have been a Dominican, actually visiting the headquarters in Tallaght when he was younger.
They spoke to me about poverty and I could handle that, but then they mentioned chastity and that was too big an ask!,’ he exclaimed.
While living in Cork, he attended St Mary’s on Pope Quay, a Dominican Church and met Fr Moran, a man who ‘understood’ young people.
‘When I met Fr Jim, I mentioned Fr Moran to him and he told me he was with him when he died. So that’s another connection.’
He will attend Saturday’s event out of ‘solidarity’ and with a debt of gratitude for the Dominicans for the impact they’ve had on his life, dating back 60 years.
Tickets and information for the big night from the Dominican Church mass shop or the Westcourt Hotel.