Golden celebrations for Fr Harry

PEOPLE from all walks of life turned up in large numbers at St Finnachta’s Parish Church in Sixmilebridge last Friday night to join with Fr Harry Bohan in the celebration of the golden jubilee of his ordination.

 

Parish priest in Sixmilebridge for the past seven years, Fr Harry was the chief celebrant of the mass of thanksgiving, which was concelebrated by Bishop Willie Walsh and Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, and in which family, friends and parishioners were actively involved.

Bernie Fallon of Clare Local Development Company and Tim McGillacuddy, Fr Bohan’s brother-in-law, performed the readings, while the prayers of the faithful were recited by Marguerite Heffernan (CLDC), Paula O’Halloran (Cahercalla), Maureen Kelly (West Clare Planning) and Amy Higgins and Darragh McDermott of the confirmation class. During the offertory, his brother, Seamus, and sister, Anna, brought up the gifts.

At the beginning of mass, Fr Harry was afforded a guard of honour by members of the local scouts, while the congregation was addressed by Catriona O’Reilly, chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Pastoral Council, who spoke in glowing terms of Fr Bohan’s contribution to community life and how he has enriched the community though his inspiration, enthusiasm and leadership.

At the conclusion of mass, the First Communion class formed a circle and sang Circle of Friends. All then adjourned to a marquee erected in the church car park for refreshment provided by the Pastoral Council, Sixmilebridge ICA and individuals.

Fr Bohan was ordained in Maynooth in 1963 and has, in the intervening years, become one of Ireland’s foremost socioeconomic commentators. Fr Harry is the chairman of the Céifin Centre and a qualified sociologist.

Believing in family and community as the two vital systems in fostering human relationships, he founded the Rural Resource Organisation, which resulted in the building of 2,500 houses in 120 villages in 13 counties, in an attempt to keep rural villages vibrant.

In 1998, he founded the Céifin Centre for value-led change in Irish society, while in 2006 he was appointed to the task force on Active Citizenship by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Fr Harry has written extensively about Christianity, spirituality and economic development, the importance of the local responding to the global and on understanding change.

Fr Harry is also well-known for his involvement in sport and Clare hurling in particular.