Cleric ‘blessed’ to return to district as new parish priest in Saul and Ballee

Cleric ‘blessed’ to return to district as new parish priest in Saul and Ballee

21 August 2024

A POPULAR cleric has said he is delighted to be returning to the Downpatrick area to serve as parish priest of Saul and Ballee.

After 11 years at St Oliver Plunkett Parish on the Falls Road, Belfast, Father Aidan Brankin will come back next Thursday to where he served when he was first ordained in 1986.

“I am so happy to be coming back,” Fr Brankin said.

“I knew the call for me to move on was coming because I have served the St Oliver Plunkett parish for over ten years, and that’s usually when you are assigned elsewhere.”

Originally from Glenavy, Co Antrim, the 66 year-old said he grew up in a very religious household and that his family had a strong faith in the church.

“I was always encouraged by my mother and grandmother to become a priest,” Fr Brankin explained. 

“I was the eldest grandson and it was something that was often encouraged back then in families.

“I’ve always had a strong belief and trust in the Lord, but as a young man I wanted to try different things.

“Eventually the calling was so great and I knew it was something it was a vocation I had to fulfil.”

As well as having a profound calling from the Holy Spirit, Fr Brankin found great comfort in God while his younger brother Patrick battled leukaemia.

“Patrick died when he was 21, and he always encouraged that I join the priesthood,” Fr Brankin said. 

“The Lord looked after him and our family while he had cancer, and I have always taken great comfort in God during very difficult times.” 

As a Glenavy man, Fr Brankin is looking forward to returning to the countryside which he says has a “brilliant community feel”.

“I’ve loved my time at St Oliver Plunkett’s, but I am happy to be returning to the countryside and to an area where I have so many fond memories,” he said.

“Being brought up in the countryside, there is a real sense of community spirit and I always liked that about Downpatrick and the wider area.

“I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and welcoming new families to the church. 

“I know the Saul parish well and there are plenty of clubs and groups. I’m very excited to meet new faces and contribute to the parish.”

Fr Brankin also paid tribute to the late Archbishop Noel Treanor, the former Bishop of Down and Connor, who died recently aged 73.

Fr Brankin said he knew Bishop Treanor and described him as someone who was always considerate and cared for everyone he met.

“I was very sad to hear of his passing,” Fr Brankin said. “He was tremendous during Covid – he would phone every three weeks to see how we were doing and how the parishioners were keeping.

“He was a man of great, wisdom and integrity and I know he enjoyed his time as Bishop of Down and Connor.”

While Fr Brankin said he will be very busy upon his return to the Saul and Ballee parish, he said he will enjoy the scenery in his downtime.

“I am very blessed to be returning to an area that has such beautiful scenery,” he said.

“It will be a treat to wake up every morning to the beautiful Strangford Lough and I thank God for allowing me to return to an area that is very dear to me.”