Fr Tom to host fundraiser for Kerry Hospice

Fr Tom Looney, with parish clerk Jimmy Dennehy and altar servers, blessing the striking Joy of Love bog oak sculpture unveiled on the grounds of the Prince of Peace Church in Fossa to commemorate the visit to Ireland by Pope Francis

A HUGELY popular Killarney priest who took the brave decision to go public about his battle with cancer, in the hope that his journey could help others, is to host a coffee morning to raise funds for the Kerry Hospice Foundation.

Canon Tom Looney – more popularly known as Fr Tom – underwent surgery and follow-up treatment and he is steadily recovering from his illness. He told parishioners in the Prince of Peace Church in Fossa that he received good news from his oncologist in recent days.

Fr Tom’s coffee morning will be held in the Fossa presbytery next Monday from 9.30am to 12 noon and people are being encouraged to make a special effort to attend to help the hospice which does such remarkable work and is a great comfort and support to so many.

Fr Tom had initially joked that he was doing all the baking himself but he quickly confirmed that donations of cakes, confectionery or home baking would be greatly appreciated.

Donations can be handed in to the presbytery – in the church grounds – from 9.00am on Monday and everybody is welcome to the fundraiser.

A bumper attendance is guaranteed given Fr Tom’s popularity and the high regard in which he is held, not only in his native Killarney but throughout the entire county and beyond.

Canon Tom Looney is a respected author, historian and lecturer

A respected historian, scholar and author, he recently celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination with a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Prince of Peace Church and he told those gathered: “I sincerely thank every person whose prayers and good wishes have greatly aided my ongoing recovery. I am confident of a return to the fullness of health, thanks to all the care and support shown to me.”

Following his ordination in 1969, he became emigrant chaplain in Pobal Dé in Wembley in London and later served for six years in the Cork mission to Trujillo in Peru. On his return to the Kerry Diocese, Fr Tom was based for 16 years in Tralee and Ardfert, four in Tuosist and eight years in Kilcummin before he was appointed parish priest in Dingle. He was transferred to Fossa in 2015 following the retirement of Fr Brendan Harrington.

A passionate GAA man, he seldom misses a Dr Crokes or Kerry game and he travels all over the country to cheer on the black and amber and the green and gold.

Meanwhile, Prince of Peace Church in Fossa will also host a Harvest Mass of Thanksgiving, organised by the parish liturgy group as part of the Diocesan Season of Creation, this Sunday at 11.00am.

Parishioners and clubs and organisations in Fossa are invited to present their individual flags to decorate the Church for the service while farmers, gardeners and those involved in hospitality and industry are also invited to present the fruits of their labours for the Mass.

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