Pope honours Badenoch man for 40 years of service to the church
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There were celebrations at St Aidans Church in Aviemore on Sunday after a Papal award had been presented to a parishioner for long and outstanding service.
Nick Thompson, of The Glebe House, Kincraig told the Strathy he was ‘humbled’ by Pope Francis’ recognition of his work for the church.
He had just been presented with the Benemerenti Award by the Vicar General, Fr Domenico Zanre, on the Pope’s behalf.
The special mass attended by family, friends and visitors to St Aidan’s Church was followed by a joyous reception in the New Parish Hall.
Good wishes were read out from five previous parish priests: Fr Peter Barry, Fr Ben Lodge, Fr John Paul McKinnon, Fr Derik McCulloch and Fr Francis Agada.
Mr Thompson’s constant service and wise council as finance officer and Eucharistic Minister began during the time of Fr John McQuade.
Many changes in financial systems have taken place in the Diocese.
“He has been the steadying hand on the financial tiller, navigating us through choppy waters,” said parishioner Gaynoll Craig.
“Nick also worked closely with Fr James Bell, the chair of the Diocesean Finance Committee to manage and secure finances, architects and builders for the building of our new St Aidan’s Hall.
“His civil engineering skills, in all things, continue to be a great gift to the parish, as is Nick himself.”
Nick and Patsy arrived at St Aidan’s Church in 1984.
They have two sons, Christopher and Andrew and a grand-daughter, all of whom attended the ceremony.
“A big thank you from us all Nick!” said Mrs Craig, who had been instrumental in nominating him for the award. “It is a well deserved honour from Pope Francis!”
“I’m humbled, honoured, proud and completely surprised, but it was wonderful to receive it,” said Mr Thompson, “especially after 40 years of working as hard as I can...
“There were certainly areas of work which were quite stressful and it’s a very nice reward for that.
“I’ve been doing the accounts for 25 years and the demands on you now, because of tax laws round charities, doubles and trebles the work, it just gets more and more that just has to be done.”
The Benemerenti Medal is awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity.
It was first awarded by Pope Pius VI (1775–1799) as a military decoration but in 1925 that changed.
