Canon Michael Fitzgerald looks to retirement

There was a great sense of shock throughout the parish and further afield when news broke at the masses in the parish of the retirement of Canon Michael Fitzgerald from this coming weekend.

Canon Michael has been attached as priest to Mitchelstown for the past 14 years where he has worked tirelessly for the community; he was well known as a healing priest and he was famed for being very good to the under priveleged.

In 2005, he came as a Curate and three years later was appointed Parish Priest here in the area. During his time he introduced the Holy Hour every Thursday night. He also introduced Morning Prayer before the 8.30am Mass. One of the highlights of his time in the area, he established the very first Pastoral Council in the Parish.

Canon Michael a very devout religious man and was a significant role model and his commitment to the youth of the parish was evident in areas such as his commitment to Youth 2000, the annual Faith Camp which runs for a week each summer along with many prayer groups.

Canon Michael will be dearly missed by all of his parishioners and all of his many friends in other parishes where he served.

You could speak to many people in different parishes and the main topic of conversation would always be ‘ how is Fr Fitzgerald?’.

He will be remembered in the parish for his genuine caring nature, his kindness to people in general, but especially to those in need.

He was very good to the sick and visited many patients in hospitals. Canon Michael will be replaced by Fr Michael Leamy, a native of Glanworth and who is currently stationed as Parish Priest in Rathcormac.

We extend a warm welcome to Fr Michael in his new role.