The community of St Bride’s Primary School, in Bothwell, said a fond farewell to their parish priest last Friday.
As staff and pupils celebrated their first Mass of the new school year they thanked Father Thomas Doyle for his care over the last 16 years.
He is set to move to his new parish in Lanark this month.
Certainly not being allowed to slip off quietly, children and families past and present, parishioners and members of various Bothwell community groups gathered to offer their best wishes and present him with various gifts.
Father Doyle was thrilled to see former head teachers, children who are now senior pupils at Holy Cross High School as well as parents who had taken time out of their busy day to say their goodbyes.
After Mass, the PTA invited everyone back to the school for a further celebration in the school hall.
St Bride’s Primary and Nursery School head teacher Denise Pacitti said: “Father Doyle officially leaves St Bride’s next week and we wish him every success in his new parish.
“He may live in Lanark but he will always be part of the Bothwell community.”
