On Saturday 26th September, the communities of St John the Evangelist, Cumnock; Our Lady of Lourdes & St Patrick, Auchinleck; and St Thomas the Apostle, Muirkirk bid a fond farewell and a happy retirement to Fr Philip Kitchen.
Fr Philip retired in July after 10 years as Parish Priest. The day began with Mass in Cumnock during which Fr Stephen McGrattan, Dean of St Joseph’s Deanery (East Ayrshire) preached reflecting on Fr Philip’s vocation and ministry and the many lives he has changed through it. Mass was followed by a presentation in Auchinleck where parishioners thanked Fr Philip for his many years of ministry in the cluster. Following the presentation, Fr Philip’s retirement meal took place in Muirkirk.
The parish communities and the wider Diocesan community wish Fr Philip well in his retirement. Fr Philip has been succeeded in the Cumnock cluster by Fr Erasmus Egenonu, CSSp, who is currently serving as Parish Administrator.