Parishioners in the South Tipperary parish of Clonmel were shocked to discover this week that their former parish priest died just hours after celebrating mass. People in Clonmel were saddened and shocked when news of the sudden death of Canon Nicholas Power, Ss Peter and Paul's parish, was announced at Masses on Sunday morning.
Canon Power died suddenly on April 10 at his home in Gladstone Street on Saturday evening. He was in his 80th year.
He had celebrated Mass in Ss Peter and Paul's Church on Saturday morning.
Later in the day he conducted baptisms and then assisted the Eucharistic ministers at the distribution of Holy Communion at the Vigil Mass in Clonmel on Saturday night.
"His final day on this earth indicated the extraordinary dedication and commitment to the ministerial priesthood that summed up Fr. Nicholas' life,” stated Fr. Liam Power, the media spokesperson for the diocese of Waterford and Lismore.
Canon Power was a native of Knockalavalla, Rathgormack, Co. Waterford. After studies for the priesthood in St. John's College he was ordained on June 17 1954.
He served as parish priest in Ss Peter and Paul's in Clonmel from July 2000 until his retirement in July 2008.
According to Fr Power, "It is to his eternal credit that he recognised the need for change and for new structures if the parish was to continue to meet the needs of parishioners in a rapidly changing social context. He encouraged and fully supported the formation of a development committee and empowered the members to use their skills and talents to plan for the future in Ss Peter and Paul's.”
Canon Power continued in ministry even after retiring as parish priest. He had an earlier spell in Clonmel when he served as curate in St. Mary's, Irishtown, from 1970 to 1977, when he was actively involved in the thriving Clonmel Schoolboys Soccer Club.
The same dedication to youth was evidenced in earlier appointments. While curate in St. John's in Waterford (1962-1964) he started a Confraternity for young people. He was a founder member of Southend United Football club, which at the time provided a much-needed facility for young people in the Cork Road area of Waterford.
He also served as parish priest in St. Paul's, Waterford (1984 – 1994) and Carrick-on-Suir (1994 – 2000). He served as a curate in St. John's Parish, Waterford (1962- 1964) and in Tramore Parish (1977 -1984). He also had a number of non-parochial assignments; he acted as chaplain to the Good Shepherd Convent (1957 -1962) and was appointed Spiritual Director of St. John's College in 1964, remaining in this position for six years.
Canon Power was buried in the churchyard of Ss Peter and Paul's on Wednesday April 14 following Requiem Mass.
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