Fr Pat Ward has said his final mass at St. Columba’s Church in Burtonport after 22 years of service.
On an emotionally-charged evening, hundreds of parishioners came out to say goodbye to a priest that has become a staple part of community life in Burtonport.
“I’m so delighted that so many of you are here with me tonight. It’s a bittersweet moment for me. I thought I was going to end my time comfortably among you, but bishops have a way of taking away your comfort, but maybe it’s a good thing,” said Fr Ward.
Fr Ward, a native of Arranmore Island, moved to the Kincasslagh parish from South America in 1996.
He spent eight years at St. Mary’s Church in Kincasslagh, before the passing of parish priest Fr Jimmy Shiels in 2004, led to a parochial reshuffle.
“I spent eight wonderful years in St. Mary’s, and it was there that I realised that I was home, and I made a lot of friends. I attended a wedding reception down in Cruit Island, when the word came through that the Fr Jimmy Shiels, had succumbed to his long-illness.
“I wondered at the time who was going to be my next boss, little did I know I was going to be my own boss. I then wondered who will be my curate, and I’m still wondering as it never happened,” laughed Fr Ward.
Fr Ward said it was both a privilege and pleasure to have served in Burtonport for 22 years.
Fr Ward bidding goodbye to the Kincasslagh parish yesterday evening. Image credit – Mary Rodgers
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He paid tribute to Fr Matt McInerney, for the unwavering help, support and counsel he has given him since 2004.
“Fr Matt has been a great companion, and especially when it comes to drinking coffee. We both drink copious amounts of black coffee. We met almost every Friday for an 8oz cup of coffee since 2004, and I have calculated that between us over the last 22 years, we have drank 142 gallons of black coffee. I just want to acknowledge his companionship and that was one of the best things that happened to me during my tenure here.”
He also thanked Fr John Joe Duffy, a native of Burtonport, for his friendship and support over the years.
Fr Pat highlighted how Ireland is very different to what it was when he came to Kincasslagh in 1996, but praised parishioners for embracing change.
“It’s a very different church and population now than it was when I first started here 30 years ago. We have navigated a lot of changes together very well. We have adapted, and I think we have become a church that is very much akin to what Christ wanted us to be. I think we did great things together, and I want to thank each and every one of you.”
Fr Ward admitted that his surprise at that his next port of call was so close to the Kincasslagh parish.
“In April, the Bishop was making noises that changes need to be made and he referenced Arranmore, and I knew I was going to be impacted. When I drove to Letterkenny to meet him I wondered what exotic places in the Raphoe Diocese I could be sent, when he told me Dungloe, I said it’s hardly worth me while changing, it’s only 5 miles up the road,” laughed Fr. Ward.
Fr Ward concluded by expressing a mixture of sadness and excitement ahead of his new move.
“It’s been a wonderful time, and it’s been a great 30 years here, and I’ve been extremely happy, and as I said it’s a bittersweet time to be moved. But I am excited by the move, and I know a lot of the people, and I’m looking forward to it. I am delighted that I’m staying in the Rosses, so one part of me is relieved and happy, but the other part of me is saying that I could have happily stayed and finished out my days here in this parish,” said Fr Ward.