Thurles Cathedral overflowing for Fr Joe Walsh’s farewell Mass

Fr Joe Walsh bade an emotional farewell to Thurles parish recently following seventeen years in the Cathedral town as he readied himself to depart to west Tipperary and specifically the parish of Anacarty and Donohill, where he will be the new Parish Priest.

The Cathedral of the Assumption has not been as packed in many years as thousands turned out from not just Thurles town, but also surrounding parishes, to greet the very popular Fr Joe, to thank him for his enormous contribution to the community, and to wish him well as he embarks upon the next phase of his ministry.

Twenty-five years a priest, Fr Joe had spent seventeen years in Thurles across two different stints.

Upon ordination, he was stationed in the Cathedral presbytery before moving to Gortnahoe Glengoole, Upperchurch Drombane and then Templemore, Clonmore, Killea.

Fr Joe’s farewell Mass, which was attended by family members, was a magnificent celebration of a wonderfully humble, energetic, honest, fun-loving, caring, sincere and genuine man who will be greatly missed in and around Thurles.

The warmth of the celebration was in keeping with the man, and the many spontaneous applauses which reverberated throughout the Cathedral of the Assumption, which holds a really special place in his heart, reflected the appreciation in the hearts of the congregation, which remained on for many hours afterwards to meet and greet Fr Joe in the adjoining Presentation Boarding School for refreshments.

The Presentation Sisters very kindly provided the venue, and the Parish Pastoral team and friends pulled out all the stops to ensure that another miracle of the loaves and fish was witnessed in Thurles to cater for the enormous attendance. 

A celebratory cake was very kindly and expertly baked for the occasion by parishioner Tina Bourke.

Country music star Nathan Carter was playing a high-profile gig in The Dome at Semple Stadium on the same evening, but there was no doubting who was stopping the traffic on the evening as the town came to a standstill from about 6:30 - 7pm with the faithful trying to get to the Cathedral of the Assumption for the Mass of Thanksgiving – traffic was backed up as far as the Railway Bridge at one end and the Anner Hotel at the other, with Fr Joe proving a bigger draw than the wagon wheel star.

How lovely it was to have had the Cathedral heaving with people, young and old alike – the Cathedral Folk Group was in a magnificent voice as they greatly enhanced the celebration with music and song, while for Fr Joe’s wonderful sermon, each syllable was devoured enthusiastically by the congregation – Anacarty and Donohill people have much to look forward to.

Joined on the Altar by his colleagues, but more importantly his friends, Rev Fr Jim Purcell, PP Thurles, and Rev Fr Vincent Stapleton CC Thurles - or Jim and Vinny as Fr Joe refers to them – the Moyglass native was lavish in his praise and appreciation to the community in Thurles for inspiring, sustaining, supporting and accepting him in equal measure.

He was especially appreciative of the way the community cared for him and carried him following the passing of his parents in quick succession.

He was, he said, at a low ebb, but the people of the parish kept his head above the water and ensured that he was lifted up when he began to falter.

No words could express his appreciation to the community for this care and support, he said, and having had the privilege of attending many homes during his time where loved ones had passed away, he understood fully the nature of grieving and how the care and support of others is so important, so necessary and so welcome during difficult times.

Fr Joe was also at pains to point out that the faith community, through such magnificent expression of that faith each day of the week – not just at weekends – is uplifting and inspiring and is the substance which energises the church and keeps it alive.

Joe Bracken of the Thurles Parish Pastoral Team spoke on behalf of the faith community at the end of Mass and wished Fr Joe well as he departs for west Tipperary.

He will always be welcome in Thurles, he said, and the enormous contribution he made to the parish will not be forgotten.

The PPT, represented by Mary Butler, presented Fr Joe with a magnificent painting of ‘St. Joseph and the Child Jesus,’ by local artist David McElgunn to mark his time in Thurles and to wish him well in his new role.

Fr Jim Purcell also spoke on the night and was heartfelt in his thanks to his friend and his housemate in the Cathedral Presbytery.

He told Fr Joe that he had left an indelible mark on Thurles and that he could be very proud of his ministry.

He congratulated him on his elevation to the role of Parish Priest and looked forward to many more years of working with him in an ever-changing Church in the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly.

Perhaps one of the highlights of the evening was Fr Joe taking on the Old Blue Eyes persona as he ‘Frank Sinatra’d’ his way through My Way at the start of the sermon.

He summoned assistance from the congregation and received it in abundance – a reflective feature of his time in Thurles, he remarked.

Yes, Fr Joe has a unique way – his way - a refreshing approach and a manner of giving totally of himself to his ministry – surely the mark of a true priest.

Thurles is so fortunate for having had Fr Joe in its midst; the poorer for his departure to pastures new, but all the richer for having known, appreciated and enjoyed his brilliance as he ploughed the furrow of faith in the Cathedral parish garden.

Pope John Paul II said:

“The world looks to the priest because it looks to Jesus!

“No one can see Christ, but everyone sees the priest, and through him, they wish to catch a glimpse of the Lord! Immense is the grandeur of the Lord! Immense is the grandeur and dignity of the priest!”

He could have written those words with Fr Joe in mind.

Fr Joe Walsh will be missed greatly in Thurles, but the door of welcome will always be open when he returns ‘Home’ from west Tipperary.

Article written and contributed by the Thurles Parish Office.