'Very kind and gentle' - Mayo parish give retiring priest a fitting send-off
Fr Tommy Johnson on the occasion of his retirement as Charlestown Parish Priest at a function to commemorate the same held in the CBD Sports Complex, Charlestown.
COMMUNITY NOTES: CHARLESTOWN - WESTERN PEOPLE (AUGUST 5 EDITION)
The Charlestown parish turned out in big numbers to celebrate the life of much-loved Tommy Johnson on Sunday, July 27, to mark his retirement as parish priest of the parish.
Mass was celebrated in St. James’ Church with tea and a myriad of refreshments served in the local CBD Sport and Recreational Centre afterwards, with a huge crowd turning out for both lovely occasions. The Mass was a celebration of Fr. Tommy’s life in the priesthood and parish, and it was specially organised along those lines with lots of contributions from parishioners and fellow priests who turned out in big numbers, with his family and extended family also in attendance and delighted to be part of this most reverend of occasions.
Fr Tommy executed his duties with great decorum and respect during his tenure as parish priest and dedicated his life to the service of God and was a very kind and gentle man who was full of humility and modesty. He had an innate sense of decency about him who treated everybody with respect and dignity and these qualities were always on display during times of celebration and sadness as Fr Tommy always knew what notes to hit to cover all occasions. He had a real sense of compassion about him and had a genuine interest in people and exuded a real sense of warmth in all his dealings with the public.
The parish council and parish in general pulled out all the stops to ensure Fr Tommy got a good send-off and this they did with aplomb as they had the church and complex prepared to a tee to mark Tommy’s final engagement as parish priest. He will be sorely missed in the community as he was always visible and on the ground with his warm, friendly demeanour, endearing him to all. He always had a friendly word and greeting on offer in all social settings and lived a life of great dedication and commitment and fulfilled his duties and allegiance to the church to the very best of his abilities. He also served as chairman of the Board of Management of St Attracta’s NS and was steadfast in his support of the school and the various principals he worked and liaised with and was always a purveyor of sound advice who enjoyed meeting and engaging with the staff and children during his many visits through the doors.
He was responsible for the upkeep of the church during his time at the helm and oversaw and completed many restoration and renovation projects at minimal cost to the parishioners and had a good feel and command of what people could and couldn’t afford, and was very prudent in the way he managed the church’s finances. Fr. Tommy was a good man in every sense of the word and there were glowing tributes paid to him from all corners of the community and beyond.
Tom McLoughlin acted as master of ceremonies while the refreshments were being served in the CBD Sports and Recreational Centre and did a super job ensuring the occasion moved smoothly and swiftly with several presentations made to him in honour of his stellar service to the church, parish and its people. Fr Tommy may be retiring from front line service, but he will still be available to help and support his successor Fr John Maloney who will be taking up his official position as Fr Tommy’s replacement in the coming days and weeks. We salute Fr Tommy on a life of great service to the church and wish him many happy and fruitful years in retirement as he turns a new page and gets ready to embrace all that life will throw at him in the coming months and years. We wish him continued good health and happiness and look forward to still seeing him on the ground going about his work in that very quiet, unassuming manner of his that so characterised his time in our midst.
