Shercock man awarded Papal medal

Seamus Watters was awarded the Benemerenti Medal.

Pope Francis has awarded a medal of honour to a Cavanman for his commitment to the Catholic Church.

Seamus Watters of Shinan, Shercock was awarded the Benemerenti Medal, a prestigious reward for members of the clergy and laity for their long-standing service.

“It was a surprise to me," Seamus told the Celt on Monday. "I’m very humbled and very happy, I’m only taking it all in now."

Seamus received the award during a Mass in St Patrick’s Church on Friday evening, where family, friends and people of the parish came to congratulate him.

“It was a brilliant weekend, we went to the hall and we had a big meal. I had my cousin over from England and people I know from Cavan Town and Kingscourt and Monaghan and other places came. It was a big turn-out and people sent cards and good wishes.”

Seamus stated that while he has always dedicated a lot time to the Catholic church, he has become even more devoted in the last decade, since his late wife Anne sadly passed away in 2014.

A former laboratory technician at Gypsum Industries in Kingscourt, Seamus has spent a lot of time helping the parish priests throughout the years.

“I’m a member of a team in Shercock these 26 years where I help in the church collections and readers, eucharistic ministers, if the sacristan’s away, I’ll stand in, general things like that. I help whatever priest is here - there have been nine or 10 in all that time and I help them to get to know the roads and the area. That’s more or less it.”

Receiving the Benemerenti Medal was just one highlight of 2023 so far, as he patiently awaits a milestone birthday for further celebrations.

“If I live a few months more I’ll be 80 in October, please God,” he said.

Until then, Seamus will be admiring the medal and other mementos he received which he plans on putting on display in his home.

“The Pastoral Council gave me a drawing of the chapel here in Shercock which is very nice. Then there’s a plaque with my name in Latin, from the Pope originally - he had to pass it. I’ve never met the Pope,” laughed Seamus.

“I’m just waiting for someone to find a place on the wall where they can be put up permanently. I have them, I just don’t want to leave them lying to pick up dust.”

Seamus praised the parish and wider Shercock community, where he always felt at home since moving from Kingscourt in 1996.

"They're very good to me," he concluded.