New Ballincollig parish priest to serve community of 20,000

Bishop Fintan Gavin visited Ballincollig Parish last weekend and celebrated the 12 Noon Mass in St. Mary & St. John’s Church.

During Mass, Bishop Fintan inducted Fr. Alan O’Leary as the new parish priest.

Fr. Alan is a native of The Lough Parish, Cork, and until recently was Parish Priest of the parishes on the Mizen Peninsula.

*Pictured after Mass in St. Mary and St. John’s Church, Ballincollig, are the altar servers with Fr. Kamil Backara, CC, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Fr. Alan O’Leary PP.*

As part of the induction ceremony Emer Wiseman presented Fr. Alan with the book of the Gospels; Geraldine Drohan, the sacristan, presented a stole and Tim Murphy, a member of the parish council, presented him with the key to the parish church.

As part of the induction ceremony Geraldine Drohan, the sacristan, presented Fr Alan with a stole.

*Tim Murphy, a member of the parish pastoral council, presented Fr. Alan O’Leary with the key to the parish church.*

Ballincollig parish has over 20,000 parishioners and extends from Carrigrohane to Coolroe near Ovens.

Fr. Alan is assisted in his ministry by Fr. Cian O’Sullivan C.C. and Fr. Kamil Bachara C.C. The parish includes Christ our Light Church.

*Pictured after the Mass in Ballincollig when Bishop Fintan inducted Fr. Alan as the new parish priest of the parish.*

Nora Corkery welcomed Fr. Alan to the parish on behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council and parishioners

Bishop Fintan was delighted to meet parishioners and they were delighted to welcome him.