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Reprinted from the Dalkey Community News september 2010
Fr.John McDonagh PP 2001-2010
The news was not really unexpected. Given that he had been with us for nine years, it was realised that a move at some stage soon was likely. Nevertheless it was a shock for parishioners to see in cold print the low-key announcement in the Parish Newsletter at the end of July that Father McDonagh would be leaving Dalkey in early September. A Parish Priest has to be both Pastor and Administrator. Father John made a huge contribution to the life of the parish and of the community in both roles. It is difficult to do justice to his contribution in just a few hundred words. To build a complete picture of Father John McDonagh, Pastor you would have to talk to many people. You would have to talk to parishioners who suffered bereavement. You would learn how important his compassionate words and caring attention were to each of them individually at a time of great personal sorrow and stress.
More than 700 funerals took place during Father John's nine years in Dalkey.
You would have to talk to the parents of more than 1000 children who were baptised during those years to learn about his enthusiasm for passing on the treasure of the Word of God.
You might like to have a word also with the committee and staff of the Harold Boys' School which with Father John's active support must now be one of the best primary schools in the country.
You could speak to a random sample of people in the pews to hear about the insightful way that he linked the scriptures to everyday Christian living. In this, and in all else, he wore his weighty academic qualifications lightly.
The choir and music tradition in Dalkey has been strengthened by his encouragement of the Parish Choir, of the Family Mass and Taize choirs and of the string quartet - aLI of which make special occasions like Easter and Christmas in the Parish Church even more special.
Father John recognised Our Lady's Hall as an important resource for the Parish and for the community - and gave his whole-hearted support to making full use of it with the help of Cluain Mhuire, the Dalkey Active Retirement Association (DARA), the Community
Council and the many other organisations and clubs that enjoy its facilities:
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He supported the Parish Pastoral Council in organising a very interesting lecture series each year. Hehas been known himself to have slipped into DARAs occasional informal musical evenings nd to have made his own contribution playing the violin to the delight of all involved.
Father John's achievements as Administrator of parish affairs have also been immense. In
2003 , a survey of parishioners' views and opinions was followed by a discussion meeting in he Church open to all. Parish committees were restructured.
The former Parish Council as replaced by a Parish Pastoral Council focussing on pastoral issues, and a Parish inance Committee dealing with financial and property matters in co-operation with a aintenance Committee and a management committee for Our Lady's Hall.
A Parish ecretary was appointed and a Parish Office established in No.2 Presbytery. A Parish website, emailing facility and a computerised Parish Register have been put in place.
A look at the web-site will give an idea of the range of activities, committees and voluntary effort involved in making the Parish work.
Over his nine years in Dalkey, Father Johin earned the respect. deep affection and gratitude of his parishioners and their prayers and best wishes go with him as he leaves. After a brief sabbatical, he takes up his new position in Sandyrnount Parish from Ist January 2011
J Neiland
Annual Mass of Thanksgiving vol8/46 2nd october 2010
Thank you to all who attended the annual Mass of Thanksgiving for all who give service to our Parish.
Afterwards, a presentation was made to Fr John McDonagh by the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council, Colm O’Rourke, on behalf of the people of the Parish. Especially welcome were Fr. John’s mother and family. A special welcome was also extended to Canon Ben Neill and his wife, of St. Patrick’s Parish. The huge turnout was a fitting testament to the affection in which Fr. John is held. Those who stayed on to the end of the function were rewarded with a display of Fr. John’s virtuosity on the fiddle!!
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