Rotorua Catholic Brother Vincent Jury to celebrate 70 years

Jacob Te Kurapa (left) and Brother Vincent.

A leader of the Catholic Church in Rotorua is set to mark 70 years as a Christian Brother.

Brother Vincent Jury will celebrate the milestone in Murupara this Sunday where he has served for 25 years.

Fellow pastoral worker Jacob Te Kurapa said: "This is a remarkable event, an incredible feat for Brother Vincent."

Te Kurapa said he had been instrumental in facets of the community: managing the Murupara Community Learning Centre, supporting tribal claims of Ngati Manawa, and working with the Edmund Rice Programme for and with young people.

Brother Vincent has moved into Rotorua but continues to serve the communities in Murupara and Ngaputahi.

The community is expecting 200 people from the Bay of Plenty, Hamilton and Auckland to attend the celebration.

Catholic Bishop, Steve Low of the Hamilton Diocese will perform a special Mass.

It starts at 11am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Ngati Manawa Rd.