Farewell gathering for Fr Joe in Mount Temple this weekend

The community of Mount Temple and Baylin will bid farewell to Fr Joe McGrath on Sunday next, August 18.

Fr Joe has been a priest in the area for the past four years, two of which were Covid years where people were isolating and were unable to take part in church services or community activities.

Fr Joe, who is being transferred to a new role in Mullahoran, County Cavan, was described by locals in Westmeath as "a great priest in our community and at large, willing to help at every level.

"He is certainly going to be missed by the people of Mount Temple and Baylin, from the very young to our most senior members, with his celebration of a special children's Mass every month and also with the members of the Active Age group on a regular basis.

"He took the children on an adventure trip every summer and brought the Active Age group on two trips a year."

As the community bids farewell to Fr Joe, people are being invited to the community hall on Sunday next, August 18, after 11am Mass, to celebrate his time spent among the people of Mount Temple and Baylin.