Fr Tom Gunning's Farewell Mass & Party, celebrated on Saturday 3rd September 2011 was a great celebration. Fr Tom Gunning has now moved to his new post at the Immaculate Conception, Stroud, as part of a reshuffle of priests within the Clifton Catholic Diocese, which has seen Stroud's priest Fr David Ryan moved to Bath to take up the role of parish priest at St John's on South Parade.

The concelebrated 5.45pm Mass was attended by over 300 people, filling the church, and was followed by a Reception in the Parish Hall, which over 200 attended. Present were many current and previous parishioners of St John's. Also present, representing churches of various demoninations throughout Bath, many of whom he had been in contact with in roles within Bath Churches Together, and as Dean of the Bath Catholic Deanery, as well as many other friends and acquaintances. Speeches giving thanks to Fr Tom were made by Roberta Indoe (Chair of St John's Parish Pastoral Council) on behalf of the parish; and also by David Pendle (Executive Secretary of Bath Churches Together); and a presentation was made to Fr Tom of a collection made from the parish, which raised a very generous sum.

A series of photographs from the whole event are available below, and can be downloaded as high resolution versions for reproduction. More photos will be available shortly.

A copy of the Mass/Hymnn Sheet can be seen, click here.
The news report in the Bath Chronicle is here (published 15 September 2011).