‘Your prayers and kindness have lifted my spirits’

ONE of the longest-serving priests in the Omagh area has expressed his gratitude to parishioners for their prayers and support as he continues to battle illness.

Fr Eugene Hasson, parish priest of Drumragh, first came to the Omagh area as a curate in the early 1980s.

He later served for many years in the parish of Greencastle and has been a central figure in local parish life.

Fr Hasson has not celebrated Mass in either Drumragh or the Sacred Heart Church since the end of August. In the interim, his duties have been carried out by priests from Cappagh Parish, assisted by Fr Fraser and Fr Thomas Canning, who are also covering a number of parishes across West Tyrone.

In a heartfelt message published in the parish bulletin this week, Fr Hasson thanked parishioners for their continued support.

“I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and fervent prayers during this time of illness,” he wrote.

“Your kindness, thoughtfulness and encouragement have been a tremendous comfort to me, reminding me of the strength and warmth of our parish community.

“Though I am unable to be with you in person at present, please know that I am giving thanks for your generosity of spirit. Your messages and gestures of care and support have truly lifted my spirits.”

Fr Hasson has played a key role in Drumragh Parish since becoming parish priest following the retirement of Monsignor Joseph Donnelly almost a decade ago.

Shortly before taking time off due to illness, he helped organise a unique Mass at the location where the dioceses of Armagh, Derry and Clogher meet near Seskinore and Tattyreagh.

Drumragh and Cappagh are among the largest parishes in the Derry Diocese.

Earlier this month, the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, issued a pastoral letter outlining the likely introduction of new arrangements for the future organisation of parishes across the diocese.