Fr Declan 'humbled' by large crowd at celebration event
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The choir who performed at Fr Declan Shannon’s silver jubilee celebration Mass in Coosan Church last Friday night. PhotoS: Paul Molloy.Image 2 of 3
Raphael Salaja, Abiodon Salaja, Maureen Salaja and Mary Hearty at Fr Declan Shannon’s silver jubilee celebration Mass.Image 3 of 3
Sadie Murray and Anne Dwan with Fr Declan Shannon.Ahead of his deployment to Lebanon next week, Fr Declan Shannon has said he is “humbled” by the number of people who turned out for a celebration Mass in Coosan on Friday last to mark his silver jubilee.
This event, which was delayed several times due to Covid restrictions, was also intended to wish Fr Declan well following his move from the parish to his current post as Chaplain to the Defence Forces in Custume Barracks, Athlone.
He expressed his thanks to the Parish Pastoral Council for organising the Mass which was attended by many of his priestly colleagues from other parishes, member of his seminary class, family, friends and former parishioners. A joint choir St Mary's and Coosan provided a beautiful musical accompaniment for the special occasion.
Following the Mass refreshments were served in The Bounty.
Fr Declan said he is hugely “grateful and humbled” by the kindness and support of the large numbers of people who attended on the night, and with his imminent departure overseas, he will not have the opportunity to thank them all personally.
A keen cyclist, Fr Declan was presented with a painting of the new cycleway bridge by Anna Boles, which he is delighted with as it captures both sides of the river and his new home in Custume Barracks.
He is deploying to Lebanon on his first full military trip overseas on November 9 next, for a six-month stint with the troops on peacekeeping duties.