ON Saturday evening, departing parish priest Fr Pat Ward, celebrated his last Saturday evening Mass in Acres where the church was packed to capacity.
The Mass was concelebrated by Rev Fr Matt McInerney and Rev Fr John Joe Duffy, C.C, Creeslough, a native of Burtonport.
It was a most joyous and nostalgic occasion as people of all age groups came out to say a goodbye to our hugely popular parish priest.
The local Crickmore Band was in attendance and added greatly to the occasion.
During his homily, Fr Pat thanked all for their kindness and hospitality over the years and paid special thanks to Fr Matt McInerny for his assistance over the last 22 years, especially for his wisdom, advice and company.
He also thanked Fr Duffy for his attendance and noted how he always tries to attend as many funerals and special occasions as he can in the parish.
Fr Pat also thanked the Acres Church choir, under the directorship of Joe Rodgers and Mary Ellen Hyland, for their great dedication and service.
Thanks were also offered to Margaret Rose Bonner and her team for upkeeping the fabrics of the chapel.
Fr Pat Ward singing at a concert in Kincasslagh Church. Photo: Eoin McGarvey.
After Mass, the congregation moved to the nearby St. Columba’s Community Centre for refreshments which were enjoyed by all.
MC for the occasion was David Alcorn, who thanked the choir and community centre for organising this get-together.
He thanked Fr Pat for his work in the parish and referenced particularly the Covid times, in which he shared his Masses online, which made him so many friends all over the world.
His ability to converse and communicate with all age groups was also highly commended.
All present wished Fr Pat well as he takes up his role as parish priest in the neighbouring Templecrone Parish.
Presentations were made to Fr Pat by the Mass clerks, the Acres choir’s Mary Ellen Hyland and by both Acres and Keadue National School principals Mr McGinley and Ms Hickey.
There were also presentations made on behalf of the children’s liturgy group and also by both Community Centre and festival committees by Triona Boner. Well done to all who organised the event, those who provided the food and also to those who served refreshments.
Fr Pat keeping in tune at a Float for Hope event in Burtonport.
On Sunday morning, Fr Pat celebrated his last Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Kincasslagh, with a very large turnout again. In attendance also, were the Keadue and Mullaghduff bands and well done to them both.
Fr Pat spoke fondly of having served the Kincasslagh end of the parish for some 30 years, having been curate for eight years, prior to becoming parish priest.
He thanked the church choir, and all those who helped in any way, paying special tribute to the former sacristan, the late Charlie Ward and his successor Adrian Ward, who succeeded him some years ago.
After Mass, all returned to St. Mary’s Hall, Kincasslagh for refreshments and well done to all for helping with this very important part of the day.
Ben McGonagle acted as MC for the occasion. Amongst the speakers were Benji Conmy, chairman of the pastoral council and James Breslin, who spoke on behalf of the parishioners.
Presentations were made from the pastoral council by Kathleen and Rosaleen, from the altar servers, from the choir by Eugene McGarvey, from the parishioners by Eileen Ogelsby.
Finally, the standing ovations in both churches were a true reflection of the high esteem in which Fr Pat is held by so many. We wish him continued success and God’s blessing in Dungloe.
– David Alcorn