Father Neylon or Father Mick as he was affectionately called by many in the parish plants a shrub in the school playground to commemorate his leaving which the children have promised to take care of in his absence

February 2006 marked the end of an era for Father Michael Neylon as he left his beloved parish of St Brigid's RC Frankley Beeches Road, Northfield, Birmingham for his new appointment at St Austin's RC parish in Stafford.
Father Mick as he is affectionately known to many is a native of Co Clare, born in Ennis, it was there that he was ordained in 1973 at the age of 25.
After moving to England and starting his ministry at St John Fisher in Coventry, he continued to preach the word of God to many at Dudley Road, Caversham and Old Fallings. It was not until 1985 that Father Neylon was assigned to Saint Brigid's Parish in Northfield. This was not only to be his longest serving parish but a place that he regarded as his home and a dwelling where his parishoners became his friends. Father Neylon was instrumental in the running of St Brigid's School and served as Chair of Governors for twenty-one years.
If teachers needed to go into the school at weekends or evenings, one call to Father Neylon and he would be waiting for you at the gates, jangling a huge set of keys, one for every room. Unbelieveably he knew which key fitted each classrooom, similarly to how he knew the surname to every child in the school. A photographic memory for a man who cared.
At a recent leaving concert for Father Neylon at St Brigid's School, a selection of children opened the concert with a harmonic rendition of "My Lovely Rose of Clare." Unbeknown to us all at St Brigid's, this was a particularly poignant tune for Father. Not least fot its reference to his beloved County Clare, but because a former school friend, Mr Chris Ball, had written the song himself!!
Father Neylon certainly was a people's person who reached out to the needy and those who required support during difficult times. A humble man, a dutiful priest, his faith has been very important to him and he has passed on this great respect of the church to his parishoners. All at St Brigid's will have a special memory of him.
A lover of the gaelic games, Father Neylon was no stranger to Croke Park and regularly returned "home" to County Clare to visit friends and relatives and of course to watch a game or two!
On behalf of the parishoners of St Brigid's Parish, the staff, children and parents of St Brigid's School, one message: you will be sorely missed and we all wish you every success at your new parish St Austin's of Stafford. They certainly have inherited a fine man.