I was born in Killygordon, Co Donegal in 1944- just as the Second World war was coming to and end. I am not sure if the two events were related, but I like to think my coming into the world ushered in an era of peace. I was the sixth child, and eventually, my parents had eight hungry mouths to feed. They were farming people, and big families were not unusual in Donegal. I attended Gleneely National School and then went on to St Columb’s College, Derry. From St Columb’s, I went on to St Patrick’s College, Maynooth to study for the Derry Diocese as a priest. From early childhood, I had always had a desire to be a priest-there were several priests among my uncles, granduncles and cousins. After a year at St Patrick’s, I decided the time was not right for me, but it was always on my mind to return to studies for the priesthood at some future date.

I then went to Manchester, where I trained as a teacher at De la Salle College, Hopwood Hall, and, having qualified, I came to Birmingham. I taught in various primary schools in the north of the city and finished my teaching career as Head of House at Stuart Bathurst Comprehensive School in Wednesbury, where I spent seven years. In all, I spent twelve years in teaching, and I still meet some of the youngsters I was privileged to work with. Teachers were, and still are, very important in the lives of young people.

I had often visited Birmingham during the Summer vacations, and had worked for a few weeks each summer on various construction sites. Teaching wasn’t very well paid in those days, but I was young and fit. Among the people who employed me were Eddie Fitzgerald, Billy Hone. John Connolly and Mary Hayes. They themselves have now departed this life, but many of their families are still in and around Hands- worth. I like to remind them that it was my efforts that got many of these family construction firms off to a flying start, although I have been accused more than once of holding a spade as if it were a pencil! I think I would have made a good builder!

Then one stormy October evening, I decided that, if I were going to be a priest, I had better do something about it! I rang Fr Patrick O’Rourke SJ who was Spiritual Director at Oscott Seminary. He arranged for me to do a retreat at St Beuno’s in North Wales with the late Fr Patrick Purnell. Fr Patrick guided me with great wisdom in those early days. I applied to Archbishop Dwyer to join the Archdiocese of Birmingham, and was accepted. He sent me to the Beda College in Rome for four years, which I considered a wonderful privilege. I was ordained in 1983 by Archbishop Couve de Murville in my home parish in Killygordon. My first appointment was as Assistant Priest to Canon Ted Stewart at St Chad’s Cathedral, where I spent two happy years. Then it was off to Selly Park, to St Edward’s to be Chaplain to St Mary’s Hospice and Selly Oak Hospital. In all, I spent sixteen years as Chaplain to St Mary’s Hospice, with other hospital chaplaincy work. I was appointed Parish Priest of Our Lady and St Rose of Lima in Weoley Castle in 1988, and was then asked to take care of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Wolverhampton.

Finally I am here in St Francis Parish in Handsworth, where I had lived for many years as a layman. In every parish I have worked in , I have found vibrant and joyful Catholic communities, who have all helped me to deepen and grow in my own faith!