Sunday, 29th August 2010

22nd sunday in ordinary time

THANKS AND FAREWELL
Rev. Roland Colhoun (Long Tower, 2003-2010)
FR COLHOUN came among us as a curate in September 2003 and served as administrator since 2007.  Throughout his time here Fr Roland has worked tirelessly to serve the people of Long Tower with dedication and pastoral zeal.  Parishioners have been touched by his prayerful presence in their lives and many have benefitted from his spiritual care during times of difficulty and when in most need of his support.  He has also brought the joy of God through his music and good humour while remaining steadfast to his priestly commitment and personal piety. 

We take this opportunity to sincerely thank him for all his work in this parish and in particular, for leading us through the preparations for the centenary celebrations in 2009.  This once-in-a-lifetime celebration was a huge success and will be forever etched in our memories. He has also been the driving force behind many projects associated with the careful restoration of the church. 

We wish him every blessing and fulfilment as he begins his new ministry in the Waterside.

The last Long Tower homily from Fr. Colhoun.....

Why are priests transferred?  It’s a feature of almost every walk of life that people move on, change and take up new appointments.  It’s a very definite part of a priest’s life to be on the move because Christ was always on the move.  Jesus never stayed very long anywhere.  There are countless examples in the Gospels in which people wanted the Lord to stay in their locality.  He would stay a little while but then He would leave, saying that there were other towns and villages that needed Him.  So, we who are Ordained into the celibate priesthood of Christ and – for want of a better adjective, the vagrant priesthood of Christ – we must move on as well.

Fr. Roland Colhoun. Long Tower Church

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