Retiring Limerick sacristans honoured for being at the heart of parish life

Cutting the cake: Three generations of the O’Neill family gathered with the local community to honour Brian and Nell O'Neill I PICTURES: Mike O'Riordan

placeholder image — Cutting the cake: Three generations of the O’Neill family gathered with the local community to honour Brian and Nell O'Neill I PICTURES: Mike O'Riordan

'There's a team there now at the minute so it took a team of people to replace them' - Fr Tomás O’Connell

IT WAS a lucky day for the parish of Pallasgreen - Templebraden when Dublin native Brian O’Neill spotted a picturesque site for a house near Nicker Church some 40 years ago.

He and wife Nell, who is from the city, have become an integral part of community life. There were many who put their heart and soul into the parish’s 24-hour production of the Passion but none more so than the O’Neills.

Brian took on the demanding role of Caiaphas while Nell designed over 30 costumes. At every community and charity event in the locality you would find them putting their shoulders to the wheel.

And none more so than in the Church of St John the Baptist, Nicker, where they have faithfully served as sacristans for the last 14 years.

The community gathered as one to celebrate Brian and Nell in the community centre following a special Mass.

Fr Tomás O’Connell, parish priest for the last three years, said the couple are pivotal in the life of the church.

He described Brian and Nell as “loyal, dedicated and great community people”.

“They were very diligent, hard-working and always had everything organised to a tee. They were very sensitive which is very important when people are grieving.

“There's a team there now at the minute so it took a team of people to replace them,” said Fr O’Connell (pictured below with Brian and Nell).

The attendance at the Mass, featuring the local choir, and party afterwards in the community centre, is testament to their popularity and the esteem they are held in the locality.

Chairman of the community council, Michael Ryan was the MC with Cllr Noreen Stokes, among the speakers. Paschal Dawson provided the music and Blasta Cafe provided the fantastic spread.

Fr O’Connell, on behalf of the parish, presented them with a painting of Nicker Church by Cappamore artist Michael O’Brien.

The parish priest notes the painting shows the church door open and welcoming just like Brian and Nell. Fr O’Connell thanked them for their 14 years as sacristans and for their lifetime of devotion to the betterment of their community.