There are big changes ahead for the Catholic community of the Island in September when two long-serving priests will be leaving for new parishes on the Mainland – this means two new priests will also be arriving, both originally from countries in Africa.
Father Gerard Flynn (pictured left), who has been Parish Priest of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Newport and St. Saviour, Totland Bay since 2007, is moving next month to St. Michael and All Angels, Leigh Park, Havant.
Father Emmanuel Odoemene, originally from Nigeria and who currently serves Our Lady of Peace and Blessed Dominic Barberi, Earley, Reading, is moving to St Thomas of Canterbury, Newport and St. Saviour, Totland Bay. Father Emmanuel will be joined in his work by a priest from Bamenda, the sister diocese in Cameroon of Portsmouth Catholic Diocese.
Father P.J. Smith, who has been Parish Priest of Our Lady and St. Wilfrid, Sacred Heart and St. Patrick, South Wight since 2009, is moving to Sacred Heart and St. Philip Howard, Fareham. His role will be taken by Father Jozef Gruszkiewcz who currently serves Sacred Heart and St. Philip Howard, Fareham.
Father Jozef will also take on Fr Gerard’s important role as Co-ordinating Pastor for the Isle of Wight.
Father Jonathan Redvers Harris will add to his responsibilities as Parish Priest of St David’s, East Cowes, and priest for the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, the role of Parish Priest for St Thomas of Canterbury, Cowes.
The changes are all part of the normal cycle of the diocese which sees the Bishop move clergy around to where they can continue to serve their communities to best effect.
Father Gerard Flynn says:
“Bishop Philip Egan has invited me to move back to the ‘North Island’ after eight very happy years. When I first came to the Island I knew next to nobody here and very little about it, other than from the memories that go with having holidayed here as a child. As I move, I think gratefully of the hundreds of peoples’ lives in which I have become intimately involved, often in a very privileged and close way. Priests are there for ‘hatchings, matchings and despatchings.’ I have baptised hundreds of people, have helped dozens of couples celebrate their weddings and conducted hundreds of funerals. I have been alongside people who are considering some of the most profound aspects of being human. That is a gift the memories of which I will treasure in my heart for the rest of my life.”
Father P.J. Smith added:
“After five happy and fruitful years of ministry, Bishop Philip, has appointed me to serve the Catholic community of Fareham and Portchester as the parish priest of Sacred Heart Fareham and St Philip Howard; while continuing to serve the diocese as Director of Youth Ministry and Head of Educational Chaplaincies, being based in Fareham will facilitate this work allowing me to travel around the diocese supporting those working with young people in parishes, school and university chaplaincies.
“I have really enjoyed my five years on the Island, during which time, as well as serving as Parish Priest and a Foundation Governor at Christ the King College, I have been responsible for the building of St Wilfrid’s new church in Ventnor and I have had the privilege of being part of the governing body during the amalgamation and building of the new St Francis primary school in Ventnor.
“I have felt well supported and much loved by the people of South Wight, and while saying goodbye is so often sad, I’m sure they’ll be praying for me in my new ministry and they can be assured of my prayers too.”
Karen Baker, Chief Executive of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:
“Fr Gerard Flynn has been an integral member of the Chaplaincy team at the IoW NHS trust since his appointment in 2007. His commitment to the spiritual and pastoral needs of our Roman Catholic patients, carers and staff was exceptional. He is someone who truly goes the extra mile in his chaplaincy ministry, not only for Catholic patients but for those of all faiths and those who express no religious faith. His gentle and wise pastoral ministry was respected and appreciated by all. He leaves the Chaplaincy team on 7th September and will be greatly missed.
“I understand his parish duties will include some chaplaincy ministry at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, our loss and their gain!
“We do wish him well in his future parish ministry at St Michael and All Angels, Leigh Park”.
