The clergy and outreach team of TKA gathered in Westport to bid a personal ‘Farewell’ to Rev Canon Andrew Ison and Bishop Rooke and his family, Alison and Susanna, on Monday 11th October. Canon Ison, with his parish of Ballysodare, is tranferring to the diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh when the dioceses of TKA and Limerick and Killaloe amalgamate on 1st November 2021 while Bishop Rooke is retiring on 31st October 2021.
The day began with the Bishop celebrating the Holy Communion in Holy Trinity Church, Westport. After this, a sumptuous lunch, provided by Canon Jen McWhirter, was served in Westport Rectory.
A presentation was made to Canon Andrew by Dean Alistair Grimason and similarly a gift was given to Bishop Patrick by Archdeacon Stephen McWhirter, and to Alison and Sussie by Canon Jen.
The Bishop then responded by giving each of the clergy and outreach team a gift of a reusable water flask representing the diocese’s involvement in the ‘Water Drops’ project. The colour of these flasks ranged from day-glow orange to deep Irish green. It was noted with merriment that none of the bottles was episcopal purple!