Emper community celebrate 40 years with Fr Fitzsimons

It was party time in Emper last Thursday as staff and pupils of the local national school were joined by members of the community to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Very Rev William Fitzsimons’ arrival in the parish.

The much loved parish priest, who is in his 95th year, celebrated the usual Thursday morning children’s Mass in the Church of St Matthew, Emper, and then, as usual, he visited Scoil Naomh Bhríde.

Fr Fitzsimons was visibly taken aback by the surprise party that awaited him in the school’s all purpose room, which was filled with well-wishers.

School principal Fiona Brennan congratulated Fr Fitzsimons on his 40th anniversary, saying it was “a great achievement”. She joked that she was reliably informed that when Fr Fitzsimons first came to the parish on June 6, 1986, “he had a head of black hair and smoked a pipe”.

“We are all gathered today to thank you for all you do for the community and in particular the school,” she said.

The sixth class pupils presented Fr Fitzsimons with mementos of the occasion, including a keepsake book they had compiled and a framed ‘thank-you’ poem and prayer.

Students Brody and Nevaeh McCarthy, Meibhín and Muireann Maxwell-Duggan, Jack O’Rourke, Hannah and Matthew Mulligan and Kathryn Kiernan had several questions for Fr Fitzsimons about his life, his vocation and his career, all of which he deflected with his customary self-deprecating humour.

“What can I say! I had no hand, act or part in being here 40 years. I’m here and grateful they didn’t run me out anyway,” Fr Fitzsimons chuckled.

He recalled that in 1990, “Emper got rid of me for a whole week and it was the happiest days of their lives, and when I returned the next Sunday there were tears in their eyes”.

In fact, according to a local source, Emper was amalgamated with Ballynacargy parish for a week, but such was the outcry from the local parishioners, the amalgamation was reversed and their beloved padre was returned to them.

At the Mass, Kathryn Kiernan and Jack O’Rourke read a reflection in which they thanked Fr Fitzsimons for his 40 years of faithful service to the parish and school community. “For four decades, Fr Fitzsimons has been a constant presence in our lives.

“He has guided generations of children and families in faith, celebrated our special moments, supported us in difficult times, and helped to build the strong sense of community we enjoy today.

“Through his dedication, kindness and unwavering commitment, he has left a lasting legacy in both our school and parish,” they stated.

“At 94 years of age, Fr Fitzsimons continues to serve with remarkable faith, energy and generosity. His example reminds us that serving others is not simply a role, but a vocation lived each day with love and devotion,” they continued.

They prayed that Fr Fitzsimons be granted good health, peace and strength, “and may he always know how deeply he is loved and appreciated by our school, our parish and the wider community”.

The Lessons were read by Kathryn Kiernan and Hannah Mulligan, the Responsorial Psalm was read by Matthew Mulligan, and they, along with Muireann Maxwell-Duggan, recited the Prayers of the Faithful.

After Fr Fitzsimons blew out the candles on his anniversary cake, there was tea, sandwiches and cake for all present, and the celebrations began.

The first formal national school in Emper was built in 1833 on land donated by local landlord Hugh Morgan Tuite of Sonna.

The present school opened in 1966 and is described locally as the central hub and pulse of the community.

The school building is modern and well equipped, inside and out, and has a flourishing school garden at the rear and plenty of open space.