Fond farewall for Fr Wall as he retires
A huge congregation came to St Mary’s parish church in Enniskerry last Saturday to celebrate the golden jubilee and retirement of Fr John Wall.
Fr Larry Behan was the main celebrant, with Fr Wall concelebrating. They were joined by Fr Eddie Griffin, Fr Joseph Whelan, Mgr Enda Lloyd, Canon John Killeen and Fr Alex Stenson. Archdeacon Ricky Rowantree and Reverend Terry Lilburn were also there to mark the special occasion.
Around 50 members of Fr John’s family joined him at the special Mass, to mark a wonderful career.
Fr Wall has been in the parish for the past five years. He has been extremely popular and well liked and has made quite a mark on the community.
Over 300 people crowded into the church to pay tribute to their priest and friend. The joint choirs of Curtlestown and Enniskerry sang beautifully in honour of the occasion. Fr Wall delivered a lovely homily, in which he told the congregation about his life and career, and thanked everyone for joining him at St Mary’s.
The members of the congregation gave a huge round of applause as a mark of their respect and affection for the priest.
Fr Larry Behan also spoke about his colleague, praising the loyal service The Drimnagh native has given to the priesthood and all of his parishioners over the course of 50 years.
After evening Mass, there was a celebration in the Summerhill House Hotel.
There were refreshments, canapés, wine or a cup of tea and again, a huge crowd of attendees.
One of Fr Wall’s great-nieces wrote a poem about all of her uncle John’s wonderful virtues.
The parish presented the priest with a painting by Peter Growney, of the town clock in Enniskerry. It was particularly significant as Fr John’s parents met at the Clock in Enniskerry, themselves natives of Cork and Belfast respectively.
Fr Wall is looking forward to a welearned break and some time to relax.