A few lines from Fr. John as he marks 10 years in Ss. Peter and Paul’s Parish.

January 5^th, 2026

Dear Friends

They say time flies — a gentle cliché, perhaps, until you find yourself standing at the threshold of ten years, looking back with wonder at the journey that brought you here.

On this day a decade ago, January 5th, 2016, I stepped into the parish of St. Peter & St. Paul for the very first time. I remember it well: the crisp winter air, the quiet hush of the church, and the warm welcome from so many of you who had already, unknowingly, made me feel at home.

I came expecting a temporary assignment, a brief chapter in my life as a priest. But God, in His infinite wisdom and kindness, had other plans. Today, ten years later, I am profoundly humbled to call this parish not only my ministry — but my home.

This past decade has been a journey we’ve walked together —with moments of joy, sorrow, celebration, and quiet resilience. Each thread of that journey — no matter how bright or how broken — has brought us closer to one another and, more importantly, closer to the heart of Christ.

In Joy: Welcoming New Life and Light

How many baptisms have we shared? Too many to count — but each one etched in my memory. There’s something sacred in seeing a tiny, wriggling infant over the font, hearing the splash of holy water, and watching parents beam through tears of gratitude as they look at the quiet miracle being baptised, prayers answered in ways only God could orchestrate. In those moments, the Church is not a building, but a living river of hope — and we are all carried forward by grace.

And the celebrations! Weddings where generations gathered, hands joined in love. First Communicants with faces glowing like saints. Confirmation candidates stepping forward with courage and curiosity. Concerts that filled the nave with music and laughter. Each event reminded us: we are not just a parish — we are a family, rooted in faith and flourishing in fellowship.

In Sorrow: Walking the Quiet Roads Together

But life, as we know, is not only joy. Over these ten years, we have also held one another through grief. I have walked into homes heavy with silence, sat beside hospital beds, and stood at gravesides under grey skies. More than 400 families have entrusted me with their sorrow, asking for prayers, comfort, and the promise of resurrection.

Those moments are sacred too. In the hush of the funeral liturgy, in the trembling voice of a eulogy, in the quiet hand squeeze of a neighbour who simply stayed — we have shown each other what love looks like when words fail. We have learned, together, that grief is not the opposite of faith — it is faith’s companion. And in that shared mourning, we have grown deeper in compassion, stronger in solidarity.

In Growth: Building Up the Future

Our parish is alive with promise. With eight Catholic primary schools working faithfully to form young hearts and minds, we are preparing over 300 children this year alone for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. What a gift it is to see the next generation embrace their faith with such sincerity!

To the dedicated teachers, school staff and school boards — thank you. Your tireless work is shaping not just students, but saints like Carlo Acutis.

And as new homes rise on the west side of Athlone, so too will new families come. May we greet them not just with open doors, but with open hearts — ready to welcome, support, and walk beside them as they find their place in this spiritual home.

With Gratitude: From the Depths of My Heart

None of this — none of it — would have been possible without you. Every smile at the door, every volunteer at the altar, every name whispered in prayer, every envelope placed in the collection, every kind word after Mass — these are the quiet acts that sustain a parish, that keep the flame of faith burning.

I thank you — from the depths of my soul — for inviting me into your lives, for trusting me with your joys and your sorrows, for praying for me, and for allowing God to work through us all. To my brother priests, who share this sacred work with humility and dedication: I thank you too. May we continue to rely not on our own strength, but on the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Looking Forward: A Year of Hope

As we step into 2026, my prayer for all of us is simple: that this year will be one of deeper connection — with God, with each other, and with the mission of Christ. That our doors will stay open, our hearts stay soft, and our faith stay bold. That the light of Christ will shine in our homes, in our schools, in our workplaces, and on every street in Athlone — a light no darkness can overcome.

Thank you, my friends, for the extraordinary gift of serving you. Ten years have passed like a breath — but the memories, the love, and the grace we’ve shared will last for eternity.

With all my gratitude as we face the future together, with hearts full of hope,

Fr. John

Fr. John Deignan
Parish Priest
St. Peter & St. Paul’s Parish, Athlone