WelCom April 2022
Last year, Cardinal John Dew reintroduced the Fitzgerald Awards to honour and commend parishioners throughout the Archdiocese of Wellington for dedicated leadership and outstanding service. Parishes were invited to nominate the ‘often unsung heroes’ for their longstanding service and contributions to various aspects of parish life, local community and to people on the peripheries. Following consultation with the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and Council of Priests, the awards were presented as plaques, along with a blessing, to 45 deserving recipients at their parishes on International Volunteers’ Day, December 5.
Elizabeth Minato
Peggy Walsh was recently awarded a Fitzgerald Award for her services to music at St Canice’s Church, Westport. The parish council recommended the award for Peggy in recognition of her exceptional service to
the parish.
Peggy has played the organ at Mass and funerals for over 35 years. Previously, the organist hadn’t been consistently turning up to play so the parish priest at the time, Fr Tom Sherry, asked the congregation if anyone else could play. Peggy couldn’t read music, but she thought she’d give it a go. Stella Wadsworth taught her the basics – lines and spaces – and Fr Kevin Connors and Fr Gerard Dorgan gave Peggy a lot of encouragement.
Peggy is mostly self-taught and through regular practice and encouragement she is able to play very well.
The organ at St Canice’s Church is an Allen. More than 20 years ago, Fr Dorgan and parishioner Ross Shaw went to Wellington and bought it. The old organ was donated to O’Conor Home in Westport and the new one was installed as a big surprise for Peggy. She loved it. Both Fr Dorgan and Ross Shaw have passed away in recent years, so their side of the story has been lost. Sadly, the organ is never really played to its full potential as its maximum volume and sound would probably drive the congregation from the pews!
Peggy says she is over 85 now and the parish needs someone new to come forward and give the organ a go. When Peggy started, she says couldn’t even read music. But she learnt to read treble and adapt the base in a key that suited her to play.
You don’t even need to understand that last sentence if you’re interested in a new challenge at St Canice’s. Peggy is looking forward to being encouraging to a new player as she herself was encouraged. So contact the parish if you are keen.