Father Joseph Kennedy this year is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

Born in Washington, D.C., the son of Arthur and Mary Kennedy, Father Kennedy studied at Trinitarian College in Pikesville, Maryland and Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, New York prior to his ordination in 1973 as a priest of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.

He served as a parochial vicar at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament from 1973 to 1977, at Sacred Heart Parish in Bowie from 1977 to 1980, at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Washington, D.C. from 1980 to 1985 and at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Upper Marlboro from 1985 to 1988.

In 1988, he was named pastor of St. Mary Parish in Landover Hills, Maryland. He served there for 12 years, until 2000 when he was named pastor of St.   Andrew Apostle Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland. He retired in 2006 and relocated to Ocean City, Maryland.

In his retirement, he has been active in ministering in area parishes, and offering parish retreats and spiritual direction. He also has done extensive work with a lay Carmelite group.