Fenor 1996 – Diary of a Parish Community
“Fr. Connolly Remembers”
It was on Wednesday, May 27th 1987, while I was on sick leave from my Canadian ministry, that I motored from Dublin to Fenor for the celebration of the Eucharist. At this time Fr. Gerry Purcell, the parish priest of Fenor and Dunhill, was having much difficulty in filling the vacant curacy at Fenor. The occasion I came for was the feast of the Ascension and the following weekend, having followed Fr. Gerry’s directions and availed of his hospitality, I celebrated the Vigil Mass at Fenor.
It was a beautiful summer’s evening as I was talking to some of the parishioners at the church gate after Mass when a lady said to me, ‘Would you ever come and stay with us? We do not have a priest’. My immediate reaction was one of amazement. I was familiar with the shortage of priests in Africa and Canada but I never expected to hear what I had in Ireland. Well aware of what it means to a community to have a resident priest, my sympathy and interest were aroused as I was to be in Ireland for the coming twelve months. So as I had a good look around I felt that the ministry would be within my capacity and that the coastal environment, which had great personal appeal, would be most suitable. In due course, I went for a walk with Fr. Gerry and expressed my interest. He was very pleased to be able to help Fenor and his wish was that I might be available for two years but, at that time, I could only commit myself for one year. After the appropriate arrangements were made I took up residence and so commenced a very pleasant period of my life and ministry in Ireland.
As I reflect on that year, special memories come to mind – the faith of the community and their trust in God; their caring interest in each other; the community involvement in the annual Sale of Work; the care of the church and adjacent cemetery; the friendliness of people; my visits to homes and to the school, especially the visits to the sick at home or in hospital; the joy of the First Friday Communion visits; the beautiful singing of the children’s choir; the friendliness of clergy and my many walks on the beaches of Annestown and Kilfarrissey; the daily gift of milk; the generosity of people on my departure.
After my year in Fenor with my health renewed, a cousin said to me, ‘Fenor was the making of you’.