Athboy marks PP"s silver jubilee

Tributes were paid by the parishioners of Athboy, Rathmore and Rathcairn to their parish priest, Fr Patrick O"Connor, who recently celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Director of music at St James" Church, Mrs Olive Rice-Cole, on behalf of the parish, presented a Genesis clock to Fr O"Connor, at a function in the Old Darnley Lodge Hotel. The evening began with Mass in St James" Church, where a homily was delivered by Fr Tom O"Connor, who was ordained with Fr Pat, and is now based in Maynooth College. Mullingar native Fr O"Connor, a former curate in Moylagh, Oldcastle, was appointed to Athboy at the end of the Jubilee Year 2000, and Tommy Mullen, chairperson of the organising committee, said that the first major occasion that parishioners got to know him was at the visit of the relics of St Therese in May 2001. 'There was an amazing number of people involved in the preparation and organisation of that event, and everybody has rowed in behind him since then,' Mr Mullen said. He added that much of Fr O"Connor"s work is unseen, and the time he spends with people in good times and in bad cannot be measured. The physical evidence of his commitment to the parish was also evident, with the renovation of St James" Church, the improvements and extensions to the schools in the area, and his involvement in setting up various groups and organisations around the town, Mr Mullen said. A wad of notes was also presented to Fr O"Connor, who thanked all who were involved in making his anniversary a special occasion.