Nenagh parish says fond farewell to 'gentleman' Fr Michael as he moves to new pastures

The news that popular Nenagh priest Fr Michael Geraghty is to be moved from his current role in St Mary of the Rosary to Shannon has been met with an outpouring of fond farewells and sadness at his departure.

His move comes at a time when the number of priests in the Diocese of Killaloe is declining and the age profile of clergymen is increasing.

Fr Michael's move was announced as part of the annual shuffle carried out by the diocese.

In a post on its Facebook page, Nenagh Parish said: "They say there are two are only two certainties in this life. One is death and the other is taxes. We've learned that there is a third....and that is the annual diocesan appointments announcement. And we a heavy heart we have learned that our beloved Fr Michael is heading for pastures new."

Among the many tributes to him, Rosemary Spearman wrote: "A truly genuine person, a gentleman, shame he has to leave town."

Catherine Quigley said: "Very sorry to hear Fr Michael is leaving us here in Nenagh. He is a huge loss to the parish, our schools and community. Always a pleasure to meet with a bright smile and a lovely friendly word for everyone. Thank you Fr Michael for all your wonderful work in our parish. Nothing was ever too much to ask of you."

Many of those who posted farewells to him and wished him well in his new parish said they were saddened to hear of his leaving, describing him as a gentleman who always had a smile for everyone.

Making the announcement, the Bishop of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan pointed out that the diocese now has 27 parishes with no resident priest under the age of 75. There are a total of 58 parishes in the diocese.

“During the year past we had meetings at diocesan and pastoral area level to look at and discern the way forward in terms of structure.

“It is intended to work on the fruits of that synodal journey this autumn and in the coming years.”

A number of changes to positions held by priests around the Nenagh area and the diocese in general were announced by the bishop, including that the chaplain of Coláiste Phobal in Roscrea, Fr Lorcán Kenny, is to share the role of parish priest of Portroe.

The diocesan changes are:

Fr Peter O’Loughlin, Assistant Priest (AP to retire, to become Pastor Emeritus (retired)

Fr Des Hillery, VG, Co-PP, Inis Cathaigh Pastoral Area, resident in Kilrush to be PP, Imeall Bóirne Pastoral area, residing in Corofin

Fr Damien Nolan, PP, Imeall Bóirne Pastoral Area to be Co-PP, Tradaree Pastoral Area, residing in Sixmilebridge

Fr Harry Bohan, Sixmilebridge, residing in Shannon be Assistant Priest, Tradaree Pastoral Area

Fr Willie McCormack, Co-PP, Odhrán Pastoral Area, resident in Puckane, to be Assistant Priest

Fr Martin Shanahan, Co-PP, Críocha Callan Pastoral Area, resident in Inagh, to be Assistant Priest

Fr Lorcán Kenny, chaplain, Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea, to be Co-PP Odhrán Pastoral Area, residing in Portroe. Fr Kenny will finish in Roscrea school in early October and start his ministry in Odhrán Pastoral Area on December 1

Fr Michael Geraghty, Co-PP, Odhrán Pastoral Area, resident in Nenagh to be Co-PP, Tradaree Pastoral Area, residing in Shannon, St John and Paul Presbytery

Fr Arnold Rosney, Co-PP, Tradaree Pastoral Area, resident in Shannon to go on Emigrant Chaplaincy Mission, Atlanta, USA for three years. Appointment takes effect from January 1, 2024.  Fr Arnold to provide assistance to the Odhrán Pastoral Area until December 1, 2023

Fr Michael Collins, Co-PP, VF, Tradaree Pastoral Area, resident in Newmarket on Fergus to be Episcopal Vicar for Mission and Ministry, while continuing to minister in Tradaree with cover from the Pastoral Area as required

Fr Dariusz Plasek, Co-PP, Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area, resident in Bodyke to return to his native diocese of Radom in Poland

Fr Kieran Blake, Co-PP, Brendan Pastoral Area, resident in Kilcolman to be Co-PP, Inis Cealtra Pastoral Area, residing in Bodyke.  Parish of Kilcolman to be administered by the Brendan Pastoral Area

Fr Tom Whelan, Co-PP, Scáth na Sionnaine, resident in Castleconnell to be Co-PP in Tradaree, resident in Shannon, The Presbytery, Drumgeely

Fr James Michael, CC, Shannon to be Co-PP, Scáth na Sionainne, residing in Castleconnell

Co-PPs of Ollatrim Pastoral Area, Fr Pat Greed and Fr Francis Xavier, to provide pastoral assistance to Nenagh, being on call and celebrating funeral Masses each for one week in five

One student for the priesthood, having completed pre-seminary year, to commence formation in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Two students have applied to Killaloe Diocese to commence their propaedeutic year of pre-seminary formation.

Fr Ignatius McCormack, Principal, St Flannan’s College, Vocations Director, to visit parishes to promote Vocations during this designated year of promotion of Vocations to Diocesan Priesthood.

Fr Michael Harding finishing sabbatical and taking leave for a further period of time.

Fr Pat Treacy finishing sabbatical and taking leave for a further period of time.

Ministers of Pastoral Care, Catechesis and Adult Faith Formation to continue to work in the pastoral areas, parishes and at diocesan level, entering their second full year of ministry.