PICTURES: Homecoming for Bishop of Ossory, Niall Coll, in native Donegal

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It is a walk Niall Coll made thousands of times in his youth, but this one was different.

There can only be one first time.

On Saturday evening, The Most Reverend, Dr. Niall Coll, Bishop of Ossory, strolled the couple of hundred yards from his home on St Johnston's Hillhead Brae to St Baithin's Church to celebrate the Vigil Mass.

Consecrated as the Bishop of Ossory in January at the Cathedral of St Mary in Kilkenny, Bishop Coll is the first St Johnston native to enter Bishophood.

Piper Bobby McNulty, who hails from just a few doors away at Altaskin, led Bishop Coll on his walk to the Church.

His proud father and mother, Willie and Kathleen, are regular mass goers at St Baithin's and their hearts will have beamed with pride as their son - just two weeks out from the 35th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood – took his place at his home altar.

Bishop Coll is the 96th Bishop of Ossory and his home parish were keen to give him a memorable welcome home.

Papal flags fluttered in the breeze to give the air a reverence.

A banner, emblazoned with Bishop Coll's coat of arms, hung across the Chapel Road from St Baithin's National School: 'Congratulations from St Baithin's parishioners'.

Parishioners packed into St Baithin's Church as Bishop Coll led the Mass with music provided by the talented Amy Meehan.

He was joined by fellow St Johnston native Fr Oliver McCrossan, from the village's Main Street, and Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, the administrator of the Raphoe Diocese.

Fr Colm O'Doherty, the Parish Priest of the Clonleigh Parish, Archdeacon William McMenamin and Canon Denis McGettigan also attended.

The Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian SJ, was in attendance having had a prior engagement while local Presbyterian Minister Craig Wilson and the Reverend Canon David Crooks were present for the service.

Refreshments were served in the St Johnston and Carrigans Family Resource Centre, where Bishop Coll was presented with a memento by his home parishioners.

His heart remains at home.