By Annette Nugent
On Saturday 13th July, St Helen's Church in Watford celebrated the retirement of the much-loved priest Fr Pat Foley, who is considered by his parishioners to be one of the finest and most dedicated priests of the diocese.
Fr Pat, from Donoughmore, County Cork, Ireland, has been a priest for 48 years and has been the Parish Priest of St Helen's Church for 21 years. His first role as an Assistant Priest was at the Church of the Five Precious Wounds in Stonebridge, where he served from 1971 to 1976, and he became Parish Priest there from 1981 to 1988. He was also Parish Priest at Our Lady of Grace and St Edward from 1976 to 1980, St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows from 1980 to 1981, and before he came to St Helen's he was at Our Lady and St Joseph in Hanwell, serving there from 1998 to 1997.
Fr Pat has served the parish of St Helen's with undying faith, love, dedication, and humility. He is a true example of what it is to be a good shepherd leading his flock. His total selflessness has endeared him to every person he met along the path of his ministry and he will be sorely missed by all in the parish. He leaves behind a strong parish which he has built up in his time there.
Thank you, Fr Pat, you have served us well. May God bestow many blessings on you and reward you for your selfless ministry in helping to build his Kingdom here on earth.
