A newly ordained priest who spent nearly two decades as a bus driver and inspector with Translink has been appointed as curate to the parishes of Drumragh and Cappagh in Omagh.
From public transport to parish ministry
The priest, Fr Stephen Baxter, was ordained in June at St Columb’s Church in the Waterside after completing seminary formation abroad. He studied philosophy at Maynooth for two years and then pursued four years of theology in Rome, followed by time at the Scots College seminary in Salamanca.
Before entering the seminary, Fr Baxter spent time in secular employment, including six years working in Stewarts and Tesco supermarkets and 19 years with Translink as a bus driver and inspector.
“I am looking forward to my time in your parishes and I thank Fr Kevin and Fr Malachy for the welcome that they have given me to the parishes.”
First appointment amid reduced clergy numbers
Fr Baxter’s arrival comes at a time when the two Omagh parishes have been served by a reduced number of clergy. Since the late parish priest of Drumragh, Fr Eugene Hasson, became ill and subsequently died in January, only two priests — Fr Kevin McElhennon (parish priest and administrator of Drumragh) and Fr Malachy Gallagher — have been in active ministry across Drumragh and Cappagh.
That reduction in numbers has already led to a cutback in both weekday and weekend Mass provision across the parishes. Fr Baxter will work alongside Fr McElhennon and Fr Gallagher to minister to what the Derry Diocese describes as one of its largest urban populations.
Background and immediate duties
Since his ordination in June, Fr Baxter has been based in the Waterside, assisting there “as required” before receiving his first full appointment to Omagh. The move places him in a role where he will help cover sacramental ministry, parish pastoral work and the routine duties of a curate within both Drumragh and Cappagh.
The appointment reflects the diocese’s allocation of newly ordained clergy to parishes experiencing higher demands for pastoral care following recent losses and longer-term reductions in priestly numbers.
- Appointment: Fr Stephen Baxter — curate for Drumragh and Cappagh (Omagh)
- Ordination: June, St Columb’s Church, Waterside
- Education: Philosophy at Maynooth; Theology in Rome; seminary formation at Scots College, Salamanca
- Previous employment: Six years in retail; 19 years with Translink as driver and inspector
Local context
Omagh has seen a gradual decline in the number of priests available to serve multiple parishes, a trend mirrored in other parts of the diocese and across many parts of Ireland. Where once there were as many as nine priests serving Omagh town, Killyclogher and surrounding rural areas, the active ministry in this area has been reduced to a smaller number of clergy responsible for larger congregations and wider pastoral duties.
For parishioners, the appointment of a newly ordained curate offers additional capacity for celebrating Masses, funerals, baptisms and other sacraments, and for visiting the elderly and housebound. It also presents opportunities for new pastoral initiatives, although any changes will be introduced by the priests in consultation with parish communities.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| New curate | Fr Stephen Baxter |
| Parishes | Drumragh and Cappagh (Omagh) |
| Previous career | 19 years with Translink (driver and inspector) |
The diocese has not issued a detailed timetable of revised Mass or sacramental schedules linked to the appointment. Parishioners are likely to be informed in due course through parish notices and the usual communication channels.
For now, the arrival of Fr Baxter is being presented as a welcome reinforcement to clergy numbers in Omagh, with local priests and parish communities set to work together to address the pastoral needs of the area.
