Extract from Father Padraig' sermon Three years in Tullamore. It was about three months ago I decided to transfer from The Downs GAA Club to Tullamore to get back playing a bit of football. Had a few training sessions, played one match and now I am moving from the parish. After the meeting with the Bishop in which he invited me to continue my work in Mullingar I was thinking to myself that I must have played very bad in that one game if I am getting moved. This time last year I was on pilgrimage, the Camino which is a walk from the south of France to the west of Spain. One night I was staying in a very small, old village. That night we were staying in a parish run hostel. At the door of the room in which we were sleeping there was an open box. In the box was money. On the box was a label, it read ‘Give what you can or take what you need’. I remember just thinking WOW. That would be a great motto for a parish. At different times we will come to rely on the resources of the parish but while we came we should give what we can while we can. People have been coming up to me over the last couple of weeks thanking me for what I have done and for what I have given but it should be me thanking you which is what I want to do now. I have been here three years but if I was here my whole life I would not be able to give back nearly as much as I have received from you over those few years. Yes I have over those years brought myself, talents and weaknesses for that is all I could do. But I am leaving here so much so a better person for being here. I say thank you for that. My prayer today is a prayer of thanks to the parish of Tullamore so I hope my prayer is enough to show you my gratitude.
A theologian Meister Eckhart said ‘If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.’ I hope it is, thank you again.
God Bless
Padraig
pics by liam
FAIRWELL FATHER PADRAIG Father Padraig Corcoran left us to take up his new appointment as Curate in Mullingar. I take this opportunity to thank him sincerely for his work here over the past three years. In particular I thank him for his excellent work with the young people of the parish with whom he had a great relationship. As a colleague, Padraig was most pleasant company and worked well as a member of our Parish Team. I am sorry that the Bishop needed him for another assignment in the diocese and we will miss him from here. I wish Padraig every success and continued happiness in his work in Mullingar. - Sean Heaney PP
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