PICTURE: Popular Parish Priest in Tipperary celebrates Golden Jubilee of his ordination

Fr Tom O’Halloran, Parish Priest of Borrisokane and Co-PP/VF of Cois Deirge Pastoral Area since 2018, celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his ordination with a special Mass with Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe and over twenty visiting clergy on Friday night last in Ss Peter & Paul’s Church in the town.

In her introduction Mary Margaret O’Dwyer mentioned that a Golden Jubilee is a time of thanksgiving and celebration. “The Symbols,” she said “symbolised Fr Tom’s life, which included photographs of his parents and home in Bodyke, Co. Clare, his time spent in Cricklewood, and the Missions in Zimbabwe, and the three flags from the parishes that he ministers in, Borrisokane, Lorrha and Terryglass/Kilbarron".

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However, the flag that got the most rousing applause from the large congregation was the Clare flag as it was brought to the altar and it also brought a big broad smile from Fr Tom’s face.

The three Pastoral Council representatives Tomas Tiernan – Terryglass/Kilbarron, Oliver Duggan – Lorrha, Emby Hough – Borrisokane, presented Fr Tom with gifts which were symbols of their appreciation for his service to the community.

Bishop Fintan said he “was delighted to be celebrating with Fr Tom on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee.” He mentioned how Fr Tom “is a very proud Clare man and despite living in Tipp for so many years, his Clareness has never been diluted one iota”.
Bishop Fintan mentioned “the amazing service Fr Tom has given to Borrisokane and the parishes of Lorrha and Terryglass too.” He continued “coming from a beautiful area in East Clare, it is no surprise that Tom is a man that is close to the land and has a life long interest and serious expertise in gardening”.

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He complimented all who maintain Fr Tom’s award winning garden on the church grounds which he said “is a credit to him”. He went on to mention Fr Tom’s many interests such as photography, art, technology, local history and a wide range of reading. “Fr Tom” he said “through thick and thin, is hugely faithful to the church, to the Diocese, to pastoral development, and the way forward for the church in the 21st century. Always interested in doing things and progressing ways of sharing the good news of the Gospel, no one could have anticipated the momentum of change in the church over the last 50 years,” he said.

He finished by saying that “today we give thanks for 50 years of faithful service of Fr Tom, one who remains steadfast through all the changes and challenges as he endeavours to be this Minister of hope to you who he has served for so many years” as he congratulated Fr Tom on “this momentous occasion”.

Fr Tom thanked everyone who was involved in organising the evening. He said he found it hard to believe that he was 50 years ordained. “It has been a great gift to be a happy priest in those years. Less than half my class are still in active ministry, so I feel very blessed.”

He said he was deeply grateful to family, friends and parishioners who care so much for him. “I am deeply grateful to you all in the Pastoral area, the three committees, the choirs the visiting clergy including clergy from the Methodist Church and COI and my fellow Co-PP Fr Michael Cooney”, as he invited everyone for “a cuppa” in the specially erected marquee in the church grounds.