Fr Moore says farewell to Fintona

IT was a very emotional weekend in the parish of Donacavey recently as Fr Jim Moore said his final two Masses.

Fr Moore left Donacavey to take up a new position as parish priest in Clones, Co Monaghan with effect from Thursday last.

He leaves Fintona after a total of 18 years, 12 of which as parish priest, being appointed to that position on September 1, 2008.

In his homily, Fr Moore said that he had been truly humbled by the reaction of parishioners on hearing about his departure from Fintona.

He recounted how his final week in the parish had been “a week of lasts”… his last funeral Mass for the late Laura Cullinan, the last Confirmation where he was privileged, along with Canon Marron, to confer the Sacrament on 41 children in the parish and the last Holy Communion where he conferred the Sacrament on 35 children.

Fr Moore said he wanted to thank the people of Donacavey for their loyalty, support and encouragement.

“During all that time never once, when I asked anybody to do something, was I ever refused,” he remarked.

Fr Moore also spoke about the “many journeys” he had made with parishioners including times of immense joy and times of sorrow… at baptisms, weddings, deaths and funerals.

Concluding, Fr Moore said that it had been a privilege to spend the past 18 years in Donacavey and he will never forget the people of Fintona.

A collection has been taken up for Fr Moore and this will be presented to him at a later date.