Fr Paddy new administrator in Redeemer Parish
FR Patrick Rushe has been appointed the new administrator of the Redeemer Parish in Dundalk.
Fr Rushe, who has served in the parish as curate for the past four years, replaces Fr Padraig Keenan, who last week left to take over as parish priest in Blackrock.
Speaking to The Dundalk Democrat about his new role on Tuesday, Fr Rushe said he was honoured to take up the position.
"The Cardinal asked me last Thursday would I be interested in the role and I was only too happy to take it on," he said.
"I'm very happy here and I was delighted to be considered for the position.
"I'm four years in the parish now and it means I'm very familiar with the whole place so I'm not on such a huge learning curve," he said.
Fr Rushe hails from Coalisland in Co Tyrone and prior to his arrival in the Redeemer Parish four years ago, served for 10 years in Drogheda between the Lourdes and St Peter's.
He has little doubt, however, that he is currently in one of the best parishes in the country though.
"This is a fantastic parish and the community spirit here is second to none. There's a solid bond to the whole parish that came through the restoration of the church.
"That brought a lot of people in the community together and we've had a lot of great things to celebrate since then. The 6pm Mass on a Sunday has been lone of the best innovations we've had and people have really taken to it but by and large attendances have been good at all services.
"We also have three lovely schools in the parish and we've a great collaboration with them."
Fr Rushe, who is also the National Coordinator of Diocesan Vocations, says he will finish up in that role next June but admitted that it was something that was coming to an end anyway.
He will be joined in the Redeemer by newly appointed curate Fr Paul Montague, who is moving from Blackrock.
Fr Rushe was full of praise for his predecessor Fr Padraig Keenan for leaving him with such a fantastic parish though.
"Padraig has left the parish in excellent shape.
""Everything you need in terms of structures is already here and we definitely won't be strangers in either parish."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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