Tributes paid to much-loved priest

THE funeral of a much loved and respected parish priest, Father Vincent Flanagan takes place in Twyford next week, writes Sue Corcoran.

Father Flanagan, who died on April 13, aged 95, was priest at St Thomas More and Our Lady of Peace, Wargrave, for more than 20 years until 2015.

He had previously served as parish priest at Christ the King, Reading, St Joseph’s, Maidenhead, and Our Lady of Peace, Earley.

He was born in Ireland. After he was ordained in 1953 as a priest for the St Patrick’s Missionary Society, the Kiltegan Fathers, he served in

Nigeria.

He returned to Ireland on health grounds in 1955 and, on his recovery, a year later went to the United States where he travelled widely, raising funds for the missionary work of his order.

While in the US he also spent time in Brazil. Later he became an assistant priest at St Joseph’s, Maidenhead from 1966 to 1972.

In 2013, he celebrated 60 years since his ordination with a special mass and a gathering at Loddon Hall, Twyford. Both were packed with people wishing him well. He retired from St Thomas More to live at

Kiln Green convent.

He died at Bridge Court care home in Twyford.

Parishioners have been recalling how he “really cared for his flock.”

He worked hard to provide good parish meeting spaces for social and other events. He rebuilt the Twyford hall and built parish centres at Earley and at Christ the King. He also enlarged the presbytery at Maidenhead.

The funeral takes place on Monday, May 16 at 10.30am, at St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in London Road, Twyford.