A POPULAR Kerry priest, historian and author is to celebrate the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood at a special get-together with the parishioners of Fossa where he is now ministering.
Canon Tomás Looney – more popularly known as Fr Tom – will celebrate a 50th jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving in the Prince of Peace Church at 7.30pm on Saturday, June 15.
Afterwards parishioners, family and friends will gather in the community centre for refreshments and entertainment to mark the landmark anniversary.
Fr Tom recently underwent surgery and will continue with treatment for the immediate future with another priest standing in for him until he is ready to resume full duties. In a note on the parish newsletter, he has thanked the people for their prayerful support and asked for their continuing prayers.
A great scholar and historian, Fr Tom is a passionate GAA supporter and seldom misses a match – at any level – involving his beloved Dr Crokes or the Kerry teams.
He is the author of the excellent biography on the GAA’s first superstar Dick Fitzgerald – King in a Kingdom of Kings – which was first published by the Currach Press in 2008.
Fr Tom is also a respected authority and lecturer on the story and the characters behind Killarney’s successful staging of the Oireachtas festival in July 1914.
Following his ordination in 1969, he became emigrant chaplain in Wembley in London and later served for six years in the Cork mission to 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.
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