Tomorrow is the feast of the Epiphany, but the evening Mass in Bearna (7.30pm) will also celebrate the life of our late Parish Priest, Fr Leo Morahan, who died on December 25.

Leo was with us from 1988-2000, and brought about huge changes - leading the church out of the old regime and into the new, whereby the community was given the opportunity to help run its own parish and affairs.

The Pastoral Team model he set up was such a success that it became an example for all churches around the diocese to replicate, and its members were often asked to help other parishes to do the same. 

In addition, Fr Leo was the man behind building the Cillin, selling each 'square foot' of it until the loan was paid off. He was instrumental in rescuing the beautiful organ we have from a church that was closing, and he thoughtfully remembered all our emigrants at Christmas time, with Crann na nDeoiri, followed up with a St Patrick's Day card.

We can't forget the Duilleog - always carrying his focal scoir - and our own Christmas Cards, which produced important revenue for the good of the parish.

His tenure in Bearna-Na Forbacha was cut short when he suffered a debilitating stroke, but we were so lucky that Fr Sean Ó Cathain (who served with Leo in Rosmuc) carried on the good work. 

Many families who now live in Bearna may not remember Leo, but his legacies are there for all to see.

Tomorrow night, his friends from the parish will honour him with prayers and music, and probably an odd tale...

Fr Leo was rarely out of the news - he was not afraid to voice what were often unpopular opinions.

One of the biggest international stories to affect Galway was the resignation of Bishop Eamonn Casey, in salacious circumstances, in early 1992. 

Owing to his support of the disgraced bishop, Fr Leo was interviewed by the BBC, among others, that year.

In an article printed in the Galway City Tribune on May 15th 1992, he said he was heartened by the support and understanding which had been voiced for Bishop Casey, and said it was important to put on record the number of contributions he had made to Galway.

Said Fr. Morahan: "As a priest of the Diocese of Galway and in unison with quite a number of my colleagues who have spontaneously agreed with my convictions, we publicly state our support in prayer and in friendship for Bishop Eamonn Casey at this trying lime. 

"We are heartened by the Christian witness of so many people in Galway, and countrywide, who have openly stated their understanding and continuing regard for him. We want such expressions of support to give him reassurance and heart. In this moment of trial we put calmly on record the immense positive contribution that Bishop Eamonn Casey has made in this diocese by his energy, commitment, vision, humanity and leadership over almost sixteen years. 

“We want him to realize now that we appreciate, and thank him for, his tireless work here and elsewhere; and his unselfish support of so many others while he himself was silently carrying his own heavy burden. We are conscious of the fact that a heavy burden has been borne, too, by the other central figures involved in this week's pitiless publicity. We support them by our fervent prayers in their painful experience and their prolonged anguish. 

“In the spirit of Christian forgiveness, which is central to our faith, we regret that Bishop Casey should have chosen to resign; and we would like to welcome him back in whatever capacity he might choose to live and work among us. If anything, we regard his stature as enhanced by his recent openness and humility. 

“We suggest that all the agents of the communications media respect his privacy and his feelings at such a time and that they try to match his humanity and his consideration with their own.”