Longford priest reflects on parish life to brushes with death in Zambia and Zimbabwe in new book
‘Come here a second till I tell you’ Longford priest Fr Pat Lennon will launch his new book in Dromard
‘Come here a second till I tell you’ is the intriguing title of a book, by Fr Pat Lennon, which will be officially launched by the popular GAA commentator John Duffy in Páirc na nGael, Dromard, on Sunday, July 19 after 9.30am Mass in St Mary's Church, Legga.
Fr Pat, in his preface, explains the title. He certainly has many stories to tell: multiple hair-raising stories of brushes with death; his journey through priesthood; his experiences while working on the missions in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, along with many memories from his parish ministry in Carrick-on-Shannon, Athlone, Ballinahown, Ardagh and Dromard/Drumlish.
Given Fr Pat’s days on the GAA pitch playing for Sheemore Gaels and the Leitrim county team, as well as for other Longford teams prior to his first appointment in Carrick-on-Shannon, it is not surprising that Fr Pat’s book is being launched by the well-known GAA broadcaster and football commentator for Shannonside FM, John Duffy: a very dedicated figure within the GAA community.
Fr Pat moves from features on parish life in Ireland to harrowing accounts of his life in Zambia and in famine-stricken Zimbabwe, ruled at the time with an iron fist by Robert Mugabe.
READ ALSO: Longford parishioners thank Fr Pat Lennon for his dedicated service and for being a guiding light
With the help of meticulously kept newspaper cuttings, (from The Leitrim Observer, The Longford Leader, The Westmeath Examiner, The Westmeath Independent, The Athlone Topic, The Offaly Independent, The Irish Independent, The Irish Catholic etc,) by friends and family, the book records the very vast array of experiences and circumstances in which priests are called upon to offer help and support to parishioners, as well as mediate in difficult situations.
Fr Pat is fulsome in his gratitude to all who helped him along his journey through priesthood, in particular to those in Leitrim and Longford who fund-raised for his missionary work. All of this is documented and recorded in his regular newspaper correspondence, from his missionary homes in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The various newspaper reports of his football exploits, as well as his time in the parish of Kiltoghert; his association with St Joseph’s Primary School in Leitrim Village, St Mary’s Hall Committee during the dance-hall era; involvement with Carrick-on-Shannon Credit Union, among other commitments, will resonate with Leitrim people.
‘Gone but not forgotten’, a 1978 article by Willie B (the late Billy Gilligan) summarises the length and breath of Fr. Pat’s five years’ ministry in Carrick-on-Shannon.
There are many other Leitrim connections in the book, ranging from Fr Pat’s missionary work in Zimbabwe with Aughavas man Fr Nigel Charles, to a feature by then medical student Paul Armstrong, Carrick-on-Shannon, who volunteered to work with Fr Pat in Zambia in the 80s.
Fr Pat tells of his continued association with former County Librarian Seán O’Súilleabháin, from their school days together in Moyne Latin school, a school which Fr Pat states ‘produced six hundred and seventy priests, over a period of one hundred years’!
Each parish of Ardagh and Clonmacnois in which Fr Pat worked is amply covered in both pictorial records and articles from newspapers.
There is something of interest for all who have had the good fortune to travel along life’s journey with Fr Pat.
The book has been very nicely designed and printed by Rapid Print Longford in Fr Pat’s native county: Longford.
It will go on sale in local outlets following the launch, for €20 and the proceeds from the sales will be donated to two Longford charities: St Christopher’s Services and Meals on Wheels.
If you are interested in purchasing and receiving a copy of Fr Pat's new book, please click on this link and then fill in your contact details: https://forms.gle/y1tVJS3xM7SUfbM7A