WAUCHOPE is officially without a resident priest at its Catholic Church for the first time in 53 years.
The popular Father Paul Gooley conducted his final mass at the Wauchope Catholic Church on Sunday before sitting down to enjoy a luncheon with about 150 parishioners and friends of many denominations.
Father Paul spent almost 10 years at his first posting as a parish priest and has taken up a position at Kempsey effective on Tuesday.
The decision to leave Wauchope without a priest in resident for the first time since 1955 will not sit well with many locals.
The parish will now be served by priests from the area deanery which covers the regions of Port Macquarie, Laurieton,Wauchope, Kempsey and Smithtown on a rotational basis.
This arrangement will mean ‘business as usual’ for the Wauchope parish.
“In no way will services be diminished in any way,” Fr Paul said on Sunday.
“The only real difference is that there won’t be someone there all the time.”
Father Paul was heavily involved with his local parish and also the wider community.
He was instrumental in the major renovations at St Joseph’s Primary School and also the work carried out following the fire that destroyed an historic building on the school site.
The Lismore Diocese has lost 10 priests over the last 12 months through retirement or ill health.
“Unfortunately, that has left us with a limited number of priests available,” Fr Paul said.
“But the southern deanery, of which all local parishes are a part of, will continue to provide full services to the Wauchope community.”
Fr Paul says he has many treasured memories from his time in Wauchope.
He has been actively involved through his masses, baptisms, weddings and funerals, school service and aged care commitments.
“There is a mixture of feelings for me. It will be sad to leave Wauchope because for the last 10 years I have been blessed to be a part of this wonderful community,” he said.
“I am grateful that I am only moving ‘next door’ and will have the opportunity to return and help continue our level of service.
“I have many treasured memories. It’s been an honour and a privilege to be a part of the lives of people here and to bring Christ’s presence, comfort and care in any way I can.”
Father Paul will take with him to Kempsey a fond passion for fishing.
He will be sadly missed within his parish and his friends from many denominations.