REVEREND John Joyce is to retire from his position of parish priest at St Vincent de Paul RC Church in Knutsford at the end of this month.

Father John came to St Vincent’s in 2001, succeeding Canon Cahill, and celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination in July 2014, an event which was attended by more than 400 people.

Father John said: “One of the many blessings of living in our town is the wonderful warm and friendly relationships we share with the churches of other traditions.

“I would like to express my thanks to them all, their ministers, past and present, and their congregations for the ways in which they have always made me welcome and supported.

“Another of the abiding memories which will remain with me as I move to my new home is the legacy of Father Cahill here in Knutsford.

“He made so welcome on my arrival, supported during his period of retirement and never forgotten when he moved back to Ireland.

“He was inspirational. If I am able to be but a shadow of his example to my successor, Father David Long, then I will be happy.”

Father John said the Diocese had provided him with a home in the village of Appleton Thorn in the parish of St Monica’s Appleton, so he would not be too far away from Knutsford and looked forward to seeing St Vincent’s parishioners from time to time.

Father Long is due to take up his new post at St Vincent’s next week.

The church is seeking more people to act as stewards at Mass, especially on weekdays.