Father Hennessy, after 21 years as Parish Priest of St. Mary Magdalene's, will retire officially on Wednesday the 31st of this month. However it will not be complete retirement as, on the 1st of September, he will become the resident Chaplain for St. Joseph's Home – run by the Little Sister of the Poor – in Gilmore Place , Edinburgh . While we are very sorry to see him go we are also aware that, for him, this is in his best interests. He will be released from the responsibilities of running a parish yet will still have an important Ministry. Also since he has had some health problems lately, in St. Joseph's, he will have people to look after him. We wish him well

Today Sunday 28th August was therefore the last Sunday that Father Hennesy would celebrate Mass as our Parish Priest. Father Hennessy does not like a fuss and does not enjoy the limelight so it took some gentle persuasion on the part of the Parish Council to get him to agree to a very low-key send -off in the Hall after Mass.

Because of prior official commitments which could not be changed the Cardinal was unable to concelebrate Mass with Father Hennessy. He did, however, manage to come here before Mass and address us all which we appreciated. He praised Father Hennessy's dedication and loyalty, not just for the 21 years in St Mary Magdalene' but for the 52 years of of his service in this Diocese of St Andrew's and Edinburgh. The Cardinal pointed out that Father Hennessy's years of service greatly exceeded what wuld be expected in any other profession and with that in mind we are delighted that now he can take things more easily. We wish him many years of happy retirement.

After Mass a presentation was made, presented by the children of the parish on behalf of the parishioners and the children and staff of the local primary school – St. John's – of which Father Hennessy has been the chaplain for all these 21 years. The Head and Deputy Hean and two members of staff of St. John's school attended this Mass with us. The Chair of the Parish Council – Mrs Una Gallagher – thanked Father Hennessy on behalf of all of us and expressed our regret that he had to go and she assured him that he would not be forgotten. We then all retired to the Hall for the final celebration

Now as the farewells have been said and Father Hennessy leaves with some regrets but also with feelings of excitement annd hopes for the next stage of his life, we, his Parishioners must do likewise and look forward to the arrival of our new Parish Priest, Father Tabone. Father Tabone is a priest of this diocese but for the past few years has been serving in Malta on compassionate grounds. He will take up residence in the parish house on Friday 2nd September and Sunday 4th of September will be his first Sunday here and the beginning of a new relationship for all of us. We are blessed that we have been given a resident priest and we will do all we can to make him welcome and together I am sure we will keep alive the traditions of St. Mary Magdalene's Parish. Father Hennessy says he has been happy here and we hope Father Tabone will be so too. You are very welcome, Father!