More than 200 parishioners from across our three parishes gathered together to give Fr Damian Ryan a fond send-off at an open-air mass of thanksgiving at Our Lady’s Church Field at Rickmansworth on Wednesday 31st August. On an evening that had the air of a ‘concert in the park’ as well as a church service, Fr Damian’s proud parents Marta and James were among the congregation on a sunlit occasion as he celebrated mass with his fellow priests ahead of his move to Kensal New Town and recounted how he had turned away from the church as a young man only to find God calling him to join the priesthood in a joyous rediscovery of faith akin to the parable of the Prodigal Son, ‘He was lost but now is found’.
Fr Damian takes up his new post of parish priest after spending five happy years at Rickmansworth and those who have come to appreciate his devotion and trust in Jesus will wish him every blessing.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Burke.