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James Fleetwood 1848-1850
No information
John David Ryan 1895-1898
Son of Thomas & Mary Ann Ryan (Crosby). Born in Flint on 23rd August 1866. Educated at Cotton and Ushaw 1887-1891. Ordained by Bishop Knight at St David’s College, Mold 8th September 1891.
Curate: St Joseph’s, Stockport 1891-1893; St Laurence’s, Birkenhead 1893-1894; in charge at St Teresa’s, Wilmslow December 1894-September 1895; curate St Alban’s, Liscard 1895-1898; Rector St Mary’s, Middlewich 1898-1902; Acting Chaplain to the Forces in Africa 1902; Curate St Joseph’s, Stockport 1903-1904; Probationary Chaplain to the Forces 1904-1906; Rector St Mary’s, Shifnel 1906-1913; St Winefride’s, Neston 1913-1935. While here in 1914 he began saying Mass every 2nd Sunday in Heswall and in 1919 had a temporary church erected there. Eventually a parish was set up in 1928. He retired to Wenlock, East Parade, Rhyl, North Wales and died on 9th March 1941. He is buried in Pantasaph.
Christopher Ryder 1898
Son of Roger & Ellen Ryder (Magee). He was born in Crewe on 16th February 1857 and educated at Sedgley Park, English College, Lisbon and Ushaw 1879-1882. Ordained by Bishop Knight at St Werburgh’s, Chester 6th August 1882. Curate at St Peter’s, Stalybridge 1883-1886; Rector at Our Lady Help of Christians and St Oswald, Oswestry 1886-1895; Rector St Peter’s, Stalybridge 1895-1898; curate St Alban’s, Liscard 1898; Rector St Walburgh, Plowden 1898-1899; curate St Joseph’s, Stockport 1899-1903; Rector St Vincent’s, Altrincham 1903-1907. He died 4th October 1907.
Uncle of John Ryder S.J.
William Baines 1898-1900
Son of Ralph & Anne Baines (Tickle). Born Rock Ferry 18th August 1874. Educated at Douai & Ushaw 1893-1898. Ordained by Bishop Allen at the Cathedral on 6th March 1898. Curate St Alban’s, Liscard 1898-1900; curate SS Peter & Paul’s, New Brighton 1900-1902; Started St John’s, New Ferry parish in 1902. Resided at 12 Stanley Road 1902-1905, then 12 Parkfield 1905-1906, then present presbytery 1906-1917. Rector St Laurence’s, Birkenhead 1917-1930. Retired to 55 Highfield Road South, Rock Ferry. Appointed Canon 1922. He died 4th December 1931 and is buried at Flaybrick Hill, Birkenhead.
Related to Bishop Tickle (qv) and Richard Tickle (qv).
Baptismal Certificate: SDA; SYB 1933 p135 Ushaw Diary.
Albert Morrisey 1900 – 1907
Son of Robert and Emma Cecilia Morrissy (Aurnheimer). Born in Brazil 1872. His father was a merchant.
Educated at Baycliffe House, Windsor and Ushaw 1889-1898. Ordained at Ushaw on 5th June 1898. Professor at Ushaw 1898-1900. Curate Our Lady’s, Birkenhead 1900; Curate St Alban’s, Liscard 1900-1907; Rector St John the Evangelist, Bridgnorth 1907-1909; Rector St Vincent de Paul, Knutsford 1909-1917. Died 6th May 1917 and is buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Bowdon, Altrincham in his father’s grave.
A gentle priest who courageously fought ill-health for half of his time in the priesthood. His brother James was Ordained for the diocese of Hexam & Newcastle, but joined Lancaster diocese on its formation in 1924.
Patrick Collier 1907-1911
No information
Harold Hodgson Sharp 1911-1913
Son of Samuel &Marie Sharp (Hodgson). Born in Queensbury near Bradford, Yorks on 6th April 1992. Was received into the Church with his parents shortly afterwards and sent by his P.P. (St Cuthbert’s, Bradford) to Ushaw but on for the Shrewsbury Diocese. He was educated at Ushaw 1898-1909 and ordained by Bishop Singleton at St Joseph’s, Birkenhead on 8th August 1909.
Curate at Our Lady’s, Stockport 1909-11; St Alban’s, Liscard 1911-13. Then tried his vocation at the Carthusian monastery of Parkminister, Sussex. He stayed 18 days and the register states that he was not strong enough. Curate At Crewe 1913-17.
He left the priesthood and joined the Church of England and got married. In 1923 he was offered a curacy by the Bishop of London which he did not accept. Shortly afterwards he was reconciled to the Church. No more definite information about him after this time.
Parkminster archives; SDA; Ushaw Diary.
Thomas Bradley 1913-1919
No information
Randolph Hughes 1919-1925
Son of Thomas & Mary Hughes (Marsden) born in Stockport on 14th March 1883. Educated at Cotton, Ushaw and the English College, Rome 1903-10. Ordained by Archbishop Ceppetelli in Apollinari chapel, Rome on 1st Novemebr 1909.
Curate St Joseph’s, Seacombe 1910-14; St Vincent’s, Altrincham 1924-17; Chaplain to the Forces 1917-19; curate St Alban’s, Liscard 1919-25. Parish Priest at Wilmslow 1925-56.
Related to Mgr Marsden (qv) and Canon Mottram (qv). He died on 30th November 1956 and is buried in Wilmslow.
Peter Burke 1925-1930
Son of John &Elizabeth Burke (Donegan) and born in Latchford on 29th September 1893. Educated at the English College, Lisbon 1907-18 and ordained on 16th March 1918.
Curate St Joseph’s, Birkenhead 1918-25; St Alban’s, Liscard 1925-30. First Parish Priest at St Hugh’s, West Timperley 1930-33; Curate St Laurence’s, Birkenhead 1933-35; PP SS Peter & Paul’s, Newport 1935-39; Chaplain to the Forces 1939-45; Curate St Joseph’s, Seacombe 1945-48; PP Holy Cross, Birkenhead 1948-50. He died on 12th September 1950 and is buried at Landican Cemetery, Birkenhead.
Lisbon Register (at Ushaw); Bapt. Cert. (Our Lady’s).
Philip John Adamson 1925-1933
Son of Joseph &Marie Adamson (Fishwick) and born in Waterloo, Liverpool on 27th October 1897. Educated at Bishop’s Court and Ushaw 1909-15 (as lay student). Officer 2nd S. Lancs regiment in 1st World War. Educated at Fribourg, Switzerland and Ushaw. It would seem that he went to Fribourg, first – perhaps his health was affected – hence leaving and going to Ushaw. He was ordained on 9th August 1925.
Curate St Alban’s, Liscard 1925-33; PP Holy Name, Birkenhead 1933-35 while also Bishop’s Secretary. When Bishop Moriarty moved into the Council House, Shrewbury in January 1935, Philip Adamson went as Secretary and Treasurer for a short time. PP SS Catherine & Martina, Hoylake 1935-39; Army Chaplain 1939-45; PP SS Catherine & Martina, Hoylake 1945-50. He resinged the parish in 1950 and remained in the presbytery, with Fr Pownall (qv) who succeeded him. He made a vow that if his eyesight improved he would become a monk. In 1955 he left to enter Prinknash Abbey and took the name of James. In 1988 he moved to Nazareth House, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham because of declining health and died on 25th February 1992. He is buried at Prinknash.
SDA; SYB 1993 p103; Information supplied by Mrs Mary Rigby (niece) and Canon EM Abbott; Ushaw Diary.
James Martin Cahalan 1930-1933
Son of James & Nora Cahalan (McCarthy), born Tracton Abbey, Minane Bridge, Co Cork on 30th September 1901. Educated Douai 1915-21 & English College, Rome 1921-28. Ordained by Bishop Hinsley in the College Chapel on 6th November 1927.
Curate: St Laurence’s, Birkenhead 1928-30; St Alban’s, Liscard 1930-33; St Joseph’s, Stockport 1933-35;. PP St Mary’s, Hooton 1935-48. He died on 16th March 1948 and is buried in Hooton. His surname is spelt Cahalane in the baptismal register.
Douai Abbey School Register; SYB 1949 p113; Venerabile June 1948; Bapt. Cert. (Sacred Heart, MInane Bridge).
Timothy Richardson 1932-1933
No information
James Patrick White 1933-1935
Son of James & Mary Agnes White (Norris) born in Liverpool on 14th February 1909. Educated at St Bede’s College, Manchester and English College, Lisbon. Ordained by the Papal Nuncio in Lisbon on 1st April 1933.
Curate: St Alban’s, Liscard 1933-35; Our Lady’s, Stockport 1935-36. He died on 10th May 1936 and is buried at Overleigh, Handbridge, Chester. He was brought up in Chester.
Bapt. Cert. (St Alphonsus); Lisbon Register (at Ushaw); SDA.
Francis Joseph McNicholas 1933-1938
Son of John & Bridget McNicholas (McNicholas). (The maiden name of the mother is not clear in the baptismal register but a priest relative confirmed the name as McNicholas). Born in Birkenhead on 7th March 1906 and educated at SFX Toulouse & Amiens. He was ordained by Bishop Singleton at Our Lady’s, Birkenhead on 15th July 1928.
Curate: St Edward’s, Runcorn 1928-33; St Alban’s, Liscard 1933-38. PP St Mary’s, Congleton 1938-48. Left to do pastoral work in South Africa. He retired in 1967 and went to live in Hackney, London. He died on 28th July 1977 and is buried at Moston Catholic Cemetery, Manchester.
SDA; SYB 1978 p119.
Joseph Irish 1935-1940
Son of Joseph & Mary Jane Irish (Gartland) born Latchford on 19th January 1906. Educated at SFX & Ushaw 1921-32 and was ordained by Bishop Moriarty at Our Lady’s, Latchford on 24th July 1932.
Curate: St Werburgh’s, Chester 1932-34; Our Lady’s Stockport 1934-35; St Alban’s, Liscard 1935-40; St Werburgh’s, Chester 1940-41. Chaplain to the Forces: 1941-46. During the liberation of Europe he served as chaplain to the Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry. This service was rewarded with decorations for gallantry when he received the Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm & Belgium Chevalier of Honour of Leopold II with Palm.
First PP at St Pius X, Alderley Edge 1946-48; St Mary’s, Congleton 1948-52; St Paul’s, Hyde 1952-63. He died after evening Mass on 6th September 1963 and is buried in Warrington. His father was a manufacturing engineer and his grandfather a wood turner. His maternal grandfather was a bank porter.
SDA; SYB 1964 pp220, 221; Ushaw Diary.
Thomas Bryant 1937-1938
No information
John Gildea 1938-1941
Son of Francis & Bridget Gildea (Gorman). Father was a wholesale grain and seed merchant. Born in Bunninadden, Co Sligo on 8th June 1889. Was Marist Brother for 30 years. Studied for the priesthood at the Beda and ordained on 2nd April 1938.
Curate: St Alban’s, Liscard 1938-41. PP: Action Burnell 1942-48; St Vincent de Paul’s, Knutsford 1948-51; St Gregory’s, Bollington 1951-52. He retired and died on 27th June 1955. His twin brother, Hugh, was first a Marist Brother and then a priest in the Liverpool Archdiocese.
Harris pp 51,52; Marist Brothers archives; SYB 1956 p135.
Edward Doyle 1938 – 1941
Son of James & Mary Doyle (Miles) born in Birkenhead on 7th July 1910. Educated at St Hugh’s, Birkenhead; Ushaw 1924-30 & English College, Rome 1930-37 (S.T.L., Ph.L). Ordained by Cardinal Marchetti-Selvaggiani at Lateran on 19th December 1936 and was Bishop’s Secretary (Moriarty) 1937-40. Curate: St Alban’s, Liscard 1940-41. Taught Philosophy at Ushaw 1941-46. Curate: St Wilfrid’s, Northwich 1946-50. PP: St Christopher’s, Romiley 1950-59; St Joseph’s, Birkenhead 1959-75.
Was undoubtedly possessed of a very fine brain shown in his exam results at the Gregorian University in Rome. The rector of the English College – Mgr Godfrey – wanted him to take his D.D. but Bishop Moriarty would not hear of it. He disliked being Secretary as he wanted to do pastoral work. He died on 26th June 1975 and is buried at Landican, Birkenhead.
SDA; SYB 1976 p 116; Ushaw Diary; Bapt. Cert. (St Werburgh’s, Birkenhead); Information supplied by Canon E.M. Abbott.
Francis Leighton Jones 1941-1942
Son of John Henry & Sarah Jones (McCormick). Born on 2nd July 1907. Educated SFX & Osterley. Joined the Jesuits but left in 1934 when he went to Oscott. Ordained at Oscott on 29th June 1937.
Curate: English Martyrs, Wallasey 1937-40; Chaplain to the Forces: 1940-41; contracted Malaria. Curate: St Alban’s, Liscard 1941-42; curate St Peter’s, Stalybridge 1942-46; curate St Joseph’s, Seacombe 1946-54 (latter part administrator). Parish Priest: St Winefride’s, Neston 1954-66.
He died on 1st August 1966 and is buried in Neston. He was extraordinarily generous to children and to those in need. He loved to call Canon Kirby ‘Kerbs’ and looked after him with loving care. When he was in hospital once he entranced the nurses by backing horses and putting out his cigarette if he was told the bishop was coming to see him. Had a great sense of humour and wrote a little book in which local clergy featured with strange names.
Information supplied by his family and Canon E.M. Abbott; Bapt. Cert. (St Anne’s, Rock Ferry); SYB 1967 p82; Oscott College 1838-1988 ed by J. Champ.
John Hoskinson 1942-1953
Son of William & Mary Hoskinson (Gahan). Born 11 Alvanley Place, Birkenhead on 16th September 1916. His father was a Stevedore’s timekeeper. Educated at Ushaw 1930-42 and ordained by Bishop Moriarty at St Werburgh’s, Birkenhead on 21st June 1942.
Curate: St Alban’s, Liscard 1942-53; St Paul’s, Hyde 1953-56; Our Lady & the Apostles, Stockport 1956-57. First Parish Priest at Our Lady of Lourdes, Partington 1957-65; Parish Priest Our Lady of Fatima, Barnton 1965-82.
He retired to 55 Laurence Deacon Court, Birkenhead. In 1986 he moved to the old Priest’s house, Miles Lane, Greasby and he died in Arrowe Park Hospital on 19th December 1996 and is buried in Landican cemetery.
He was prominent at Lourdes as leader of processions from the time that Bishop Murphy started the diocesan pilgrimage to this shrine in 1951. In 1978 he was made an Honorary Chaplain of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Birth certificate has his father’s name as Willian but Bapt. Cert: St Laurence’s says Charles.
SYB 1998 p134.
Rudolph Francis Luczka 1943-1949
Son of Joseph & Pauline Luczka (Skrypeeka). Born in St Alban’s, Herts on 28th March 1911. Educated at St Bede’s College, Manchester; Osterley 1928-30 & Oscott 1930-36. Ordained by Bishop Moriarty at Our Lady’s, Stockport on 14th June 1936.
Curate: St Werburgh’s, Birkenhead 1936-41; Sacred Heart, Moreton 1941-43; St Alban’s, Liscard 1943-48 (in this parish people referred to him as the ‘Polish gentleman’); St Mary’s, Dukinfield 1948-49. Parish Priest: St Walburgh, Plowden 1949-53 (after this Plowden was placed in the care of the Montfort Fathers who were given the parish of Ludlow); St John’s, Bridgnorth 1953-91 (as his predecessor was at Bridgnorth from 1911 between the two of them the parish had only two priests for eighty years). Honary Canon 1986.
He retired to 17 Innage Crescent, Bridgnorth and died on 16th December 1994 and is buried in Cheadle, Cheshire.
Information supplied by Canon E.M. Abbott; Middleton Priors RC School and St John’s, Bridgnorth (1992 and 1993) both by C. Magner; SYB 1996 p109; Oscott College 1838-1988 ed by J. Champ; Bapt. Cert. (SS Alban & Stephen)
William Bergin 1948-1949
Son of James & Ellen Bergin (Kenny). Born in Poughkeepsie, New York on 27th July 1916. Educated at St Charles’ College, Catonsville, Baltimore, Maryland & Ushaw 1936-42. Ordained by Bishop Moriarty at Kilkenny Cathedral on 24th June 1942.
Curate: Holy Cross, Birkenhead 1942-43; St Joseph’s, Birkenhead 1943-44; Assistant at the Apostleship of the Sea, Birkenhead 1944-46; St Peter’s, Stalybridge 1946-48; St Alban’s, Liscard 1948-49. In 1949 he joined the diocese of San Diego, California. Curate Our Lady of the Angels, San Diego 1949-50; chaplain at the Mercy Hospital, San Diego 1950-52; Pastor St Charles Borromeo, San Diego 1952-54; Rector St Joseph’s Cathedral, San Diego 1954-55; Rector of the Immaculate Heart Seminary, El Cajon, which moved to San Diego in 1957, 1955-64. Pastor Holy Spirit, San Diego 1964-88.
He retired to Nazareth House, San Diego where he died on 9th December 1998. He is buried at Holy Cross cemetery, San Diego. He secretly helped people to pay mortgages, to get medical help and found housing for Vietnamese on church property. Prelate of Honour.
Southern Cross newspaper, San Diego Dec 1998; Information supplied by Rev H.A. Knight.
Bernard John Buscot Hewitt 1949
Son of Sidney Charles & Agnes Clare Hewitt (Buscot). Born in Birkenhead on 10th December 1907. Educated at Ushaw and while there was a minor professor. Ordained by Bishop Moriarty at St Alban’s, Liscard on 28th June 1936
Curate: St Alban’s, Macclesfield 1936-39. In charge of St George, Whitchurch 1939. Curate: St Joseph’s, Stockport 1939-49. In charge St Alban’s, Liscard 1949. Parish Priest: St Luke’s, Frodsham 1949-53; St Agnes, West Kirby 1953-82.
Retired to 17a Claremont Road, West Kirby and died on 14th December 1985. He is buried in Grange, West Kirby.
One of a few diocesan priests with a non-Catholic parent. His mother was the sister of Canon Buscot who wrote a history of Cotton College. He had poor health for many years but always remained very patient and cheerful and was very conscientious in the fulfilment of his duties. Author of ‘History of West Kirby Parish’ 1957, Supplement – ‘West Kirby Parish History’ 1958.
Patrick Killeen SCC 1950-1956
No information
Patrick McConville 1954-1955
No information
James Caskell 1955-1963
Son of Louis Francis & Catherine Gertrude Gaskell (Higginbottom). Born in Bredbury, near Stockport on 26th September 1926. Educated at Ushaw 1939-52 and Ordained by Bishop Murphy at Our Lady’s, Stockport on 27th July 1952.
On staff at Ushaw 1952-55. Curate: St Alban’s, Liscard 1955-63; St Teresa’s, Wilmslow 1963-66. Parish Priest: Sacred Heart, Whaley Bridge 1966-67; 1st PP at Holy Spirit, Marple where he first of all lived at 50 The Turnpike. The presbytery and dual purpose church and hall were opened in 1972.
He was a very solid character and the excellent obituary in SYB gives a good idea of his life and work. His houskeeper found him dead when she came looking for him as he was due to say Mass at 9 a.m. He had been out shortly before wtih Holy Communion to the sick. He died on 12th July 1975 and is buried at Romiley.
SYB 1977 p115; Ushaw Diary; Information supplied by Canon E.M. Abbott.
Francis John McManus 1956-1965
Father McManus was born in Irby, Wirral, on 1 February 1928. He was educated at St Anselm’s College, Birkenhead and trained for the Priesthood at Ushaw College (1939-46) and the English College in Rome (1946-53). His Ordination took place in Chiesa Nuova in Rome on 20 December 1952. Following Ordination, his first appointment was as Assistant Priest in Ss John & Thomas, Benchill (1953-56) followed by St Alban’s, Liscard (1956-65). In 1965 he was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady & St Oswald’s, Oswestry (1965-72) followed by Our Lady’s, Ellesmere Port (1972-79). For a short time he was Spiritual Director at Ushaw College (1979-80) before returning to St Alban’s, Liscard, as Parish Priest (1980-88). Following a period of illness and convalescence he was appointed to St Vincent’s, Bramhall (1990-2003) where he continued to live after his retirement in 2003. He was a Notary with the Marriage Tribunal (appointed in 1960) and for a short time (1987-88) the Dean of St Hilary’s Deanery before this was cut short by illness.
Died peacefully in Southport General Hospital on Sunday 19 September 2010. He had been admitted there the previous Thursday from Ince Blundell Nursing Home.
John Leslie Roper 1963-1968
Son of John & Ann Roper (Rourke) Born in Birkenhead on 20th April 1930. Educated at Cotton & Ushaw 1948-54. Ordained by Bishop Murphy at St Joseph’s, Birkenhead on 18th July 1954.
Curate: Shrewsbury Cathedral 1954; St Peter’s, Hazel Grove 1954-63; St Alban’s, Liscard 1963-68. Parish Priest: St Mary’s, Congleton 1968-75. St Mary’s, Madeley 1975-78; St Patrick’s, Wellington 1978-83. Administrator Shrewsbury Cathedral 1983-93. Here he showed himself to be a man of vision. He re-ordered the Cathedral in accordance with the new liturgical laws. He died on 15th October 1993 and is buried at Landican, Birkenhead. He became a Canon in 1983.
SDA; SYB 1986 (article on Cathedral) pp15, 16; SYB 1995 p110; Bapt. Cert. (Our Lady’s); Ushaw Diary.
Terence Boylan 1965-1973
No information
James O’Reilly SMM 1971-1973
Born on 27th August 1916 in, Flinder Street, Liverpool and baptised on 5th September the same year at St Vincent’s, Liverpool where he was also confirmed on 12th June 1925.
His early education was at SVP Elementary School., Liverpool. He entered Montfort College, Romsey, Hants in 1929. He completed the six year course there and went to France for the Noviciate. He was professed on 8th September 1936 and did secondary studies at the Senior Seminary at Montfort-sur Meu, France until 1940 when the Germans overran France. He got away to Chipping, Lancs and was ordained there on 8th December 1941. He worked then in different parishes and went to Nyasaland (now Malawi) in 1944 and worked there in different tasks.
He left Malawi in 1958 as a result of a bad bike accident as he went to a sick call. He hit his head against a bridge and this was to effect him the rest of his life. He spent some time in hospital in England. He worked in the parishes of English Martyrs, Preston; St Alban’s, Liscard and St Joseph’s, Birkenhead.
He had stomach trouble for most of his life and after the bike accident could not focus his eyes properly.
He had a great love for the poor and enjoyed visiting parishioners, daily while at St Alban’s.
He spent time in the St John of God Hospital, Dublin towards the end of his life. In 1976 his health began to deteriorate and his lungs collapsed. He died on 3rd December of that year in a spirit of edifying resignation surrounded by many members of his Religious confreres and his family and is buried in his native Liverpool.
John Gordon 1972-1975
Son of Eric & Agnes Gordon. Born on 24th August 1949 in Middlewich. John attended Cotton College, North Staffordshire from the age of 12 to 18 and then to Oscott College in Birmingham to train for the priesthood.
He was ordained on 7th July 1973 at St Augustine’s, Latchford where his uncle, Frank Gordon was Parish Priest. His first parish was St Alban’s, Liscard where he was a curate from September 1973 to August 1975. From September 1975-August 1981 he was curate at St Anthony’s, Wythenshawe; then to St Joseph’s, Seacombe until January 1986 when he was appointed as Parish Priest to St Peter’s, Noctorum. He was appointed Judicial Vicar of the Diocesan Tribunal on 6th May 1982 and he moved with the Tribunal in 1996 to Our Lady’s, Birkenhead where he was also Parish Priest. In September 2006 he was appointed to the chapter of Canons and moved to St Chad’s, Cheadle as Parish Priest.
Bernard McDonough 1973 – 1974
Born in 1948 and brought up in Park Road East, Birkenhead.
He trained for the priesthood at Ushaw and was ordained in 1971. His first parish was St Alban’s, Liscard and he moved to St Peter’s, Hazel Grove in 1974.
He died on 22nd October 2004 aged 56.
John Flood 1974-1980
Son of Bernard and Mary Flood. The following is the obituary written by Fr Oliver O’Doherty, following Fr John Flood’s death in 2009.
“John was born on 12th June 1943 to Bernard and Mary Flood in Clonmellon, Nr Kells, County Meath, Ireland. He was one of nine brothers and six sisters. John was educated at Clonmellon Primary School and St Joseph’s, Freshford County, County Kilkenny from 1957 to 1962. In September 1962 he joined the Mill Hill Fathers (Noviate) in Dublin, attending the University College. He entered St Patrick’s College, Thurles in September 1963 and was ordained Priest on 7th June 1969 in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles by Archbishop Thomas Morris. His first appointment was to St John Fisher and St Thomas Moore, Benchill, Wythenshawe, where he was introduced to the Pastoral Ministry by Fr Joseph Taggart and his assistant Fr Brendan Hoban. He also served at St Alban’s, Liscard. John’s first appointment as Parish Priest was to The Sacred Heart, Cheadle Heath in 1980 followed by further appointments at Our Lady of Lourdes, Partington; Our Lady Help of Christians, Oswestry and St Elizabeth’s, Peel Hall.
Like many young men in the 1960’s John heard the call of Christ, discerning his vocation in his family home and community. His training in the Seminary prepared him for the ministry in a Post Vatican II Church, a ministry that John found exciting and challenging. John discovered the basis of his priestly ministry in the Letter to the Hebrews. A letter that clearly reminds us of the mission and vocation of the Priest: ‘Every High Priest has been taken out of mankind and is appointed to act for men in their relations with God, so that he can sympathise with those who are uncertain or confused because he himself lives in the limitations of weakness’. The aspect of Priesthood to be compassionate, to sympathise, to respond to people’s needs was at the heart of John’s priesthood, because he was a human being who himself lived in the shadow of his own weakness and frailty. He was at all times aware of his dependence on the power of God and the mercy of Christ.
For the last ten years John had been plagued by ill-health and a progressive, debilitating illness called ‘Frontal Lobe Atrophy’. Supported by his family, John returned to his Father’s House on Wednesday, 22nd April 2009 in Hamstead Hospital, Ballymum, Dublin. His Requiem Mass took place in his home parish of Clonmellon on Saturday, 25th April, celebrated by Fr Sean Garland, Parish Priest, who had supported the family throughout John’s illness, and local clergy, Monsignor Chris Lightbound represented Bishop Brian, the Clergy and the people of the Diocese who concelebrated the Requiem Mass.
May he rest in peace. Ardheis de go raibh h anam”.
Donal Joseph Dwyer 1980 – 1985
Son of Michael & Margaret Dwyer (Corcoran). Born on 19th April 1950. Trained for the priesthood at Thurles, and was ordained at St Patrick’s, Thurles on 7th June 1975.
Curate: St Christopher’s, Romiley 1975-80; St Alban’s, Liscard 1980-85; Chaplain at Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral 1985-88. Parish Priest: St Mary’s, Shifnel & Chaplain at RAF Cosford 1988-93; PP St Peter’s, Stalybridge 1993-2002. Returned to Ireland Diocese of Killaloe where he is continuing his ministry at the parishes of St Joseph, Castleconnell & St Patrick’s, Ahane.
Terence Thompson 1985/1988
The following is the obituary written by Fr Russell Cooke for Fr Terry following his death in 2005.
“The sudden death of Father Terry Thompson, who died on the 4th September 2005, was a shock to us all. He had undergone major surgery some years ago and appeared to have recovered completely.
I had known Terry for many years, we first met at Osterley in 1968 as students for the priesthood and had stayed together till our ordinations.
Terry came from a very warm and supportive family with strong loyalties to St Lawrence’s, Birkenhead. He was ordained in 1976 and enjoyed every appointment in a variety of different parishes.
He was completely fulfilled as a priest, his deep and simple faith made him a very special pastor to the parishioners he served. He was sure of the priest’s identity and the importance of nurturing skills and ministries in people.
His love for the Church was basically unquestioning, his deep love for the Mass and the liturgy was strong and his care of the sick and attendance to them was a priority. The administration of the needs of the parish he took very seriously and gave of his best.
Terry’s own dependence on people was born out of a mutual benefit and support that he received and gave to others. It was because of this need he naturally and uncritically accepted others and they returned this trust in him.
There is no doubt that his last appointment at Our Lady and St Oswald’s, Oswestry, brought him tremendous satisfaction and happiness, all be it too short. Together with parishioners, his sister Joan and family we will continue to miss him and look forward to a joyful reunion.”
Patrick Noctor 1988-1992
Born in Templemore, Tipperary on 24th March 1947. He trained for the priesthood at St Patrick’s, Thurles and ordained on 11th June 1988. His first parish was St Alban’s, Liscard until 1992; then to Our Lady and the Apostles, Shaw Heath, Stockport.
William J. Dukes 1992-1997
No Information
Niall Mullaley 1997-1999
Son of Ted & Mary Mullaley. Born on 8th February 1956 at Royal Air Force Shawbury in Shropshire.
He trained for the priesthood at Oscott College between 1979 and 1986, during which he did a short Church Student summer placement at St Alban’s in 1983. He was ordained priest on 25th January 1986 at Shrewsbury Cathedral.
Between 1986 and 1989 he was Assistant Priest at St Wilfrid’s Northwich; Between 1989 and 1992 he was Assistant Priest at St Saviour’s Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port; Between 1992 and 1997 he resided in St Anthony’s, Woodhouse Park and Sacred Heart, Baguley whilst serving as Chaplain to Wythenshawe Hospital in South Manchester; Between 1997 and 1999 he was Assistant Priest at St Alban’s Liscard; Between 1999 and 2005 he was Parish Priest at Our Lady of Lourdes in Partington in the South Trafford area of our Diocese.
Michael Gerard McCormack 1999-2002
The following obituary was written by Fr Peter Wright and appeared in the Shrewsbury Diocesan Year Book 2009.
Michael Gerard McCormack was born on 26th August 1963, the youngest of four children. He attended St Joseph’s College, Garbally Park and briefly attended St Patrick’s, Thurles before joining the novitiate of the Augustinians in Ballyboden. Studies at Milltown College followed where Michael obtained a degree in Theology. He then applied to the Shrewsbury Diocese and under Bishop Joseph Gray was selected, finally being ordained in St Michael’s, Ballinasloe, where he had received all the sacraments, on the Feast of the Assumption, 15th August 1994.
Michael’s first appointment was in the Cathedral where he spent seven happy years developing his skills as an inventive, caring pastor. He served briefly in St Alban’;s, Liscard and was then appointed as Parish Priest ot Holy Spirit, Runcorn in 2002, accepting a second parish, St Martin’s, two years later.
It was in May 2007 that Michael was diagnosed with aggressive Lymphoma. Chemotherapy was started immediately in Liverpool Royal Hospital. Even during his time on the ward Michael continued his priestly ministry, supporting, praying with and handing out rosary beads to the other men on the ward. This reminded Michael’s family of his visits on the way home from school to the hospital to visit neighbours and friends. In spite of the care he received, secondaries had formed in the central nervous system and Michael died on Sunday, 28th October 2007.
But who was this man and priest who died so young? Parishioners praise Michael’s ministry for raising their self-esteem, encouraging them to realise that it is the Spirit of Baptism that calls and gifts them for service in Church and society. When presiding at Mass it was obvious to all that liturgy was enlivened by Michael, just as liturgy enlivened Michael. Through the Gospels and Prophets Michael had a keen sense of justice: each parish became ‘Fairtrade’, so that “…we can drink our tea and coffee with a clear conscience!”. Lenten CAFOD lunches quickly followed.
Michael referred to journey often – the journey of life, with the Spirit, to become our true selves, the journey to the eternal Kingdom of Life. The journey calls us to change and Michael changed often on his journey encouraging those around him to allow the journey to change them too. In May 2003 Mike and I undertook a very special journey: the Pilgrimage from Seville to Santiago de Compostela. This pilgrim journey affected Michael profoundly: he changed and grew as a disciple; rejoiced in the beauty of countryside; the variety of food eaten on mountainsides and in simple bars; the overwhelming generosity given by God’s good people to the pilgrim. There was sheer joy as we arrived in Compostela and Mike’s great laugh echoed around the square. The Pilgrimage was completed. Really? It was after all, only a pause – a stopping place on the journey. The pilgrim song, Yann Derrien, graced Michael’s requiem.
St Joseph and St Alban 