Parishioners, family and friends filled the aisles to join in the  service as Monsignor Joseph McGuinness, Clogher diocesan administrator, conferred Fr McPhillips as Parish Priest of Aghalurcher. 

Speaking after the landmark service for his installation Fr McPhillips said, “It’s 26 years since the Canon Mullin would have been installed as Parish Priest so it’s a long time from there was a similar ceremony here.” 

He added that he was settling into the parish well having been there since September. “I will soon be celebrating serving 100 days in the parish. I have a lot of plans for the parish and there are a lot of things I am looking forward to getting involved in over the coming years here.”  . 

Mgr McGuinness was the main celebrant at the morning mass and was assisted by his predecessor Canon Joseph Mullin, PE. Mgr McGuinness has been diocesan administrator for the past two years in the absence of a bishop. Speaking at the Mass he said he was delighted to be back home in Lisnaskea to carry out Fr McPhillips installation. He thanked Fr McPhillips for accepting his appointment to Lisnaskea and Newtownbutler. Mgr McGuinness remarked that he had no doubt that his drive, enthusiasm and commitment to his appointment would bear fruit. 

He also went on to thank Canon Mullin for carrying on his work in the parish having served over fifty years as a priest in the diocese. Of this time he has served over 25 years as parish priest in Lisnaskea.