Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Bishop John Noonan presented the Medal of St. Patrick to Msgr. Richard Walsh on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Winter Park following Mass. Father Paul Henry assisted with the presentation.

The medal was awarded by Archbishop Eamon Martin, the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, to recognize Msgr. Walsh for his golden jubilee and four decades of service at St. Margaret Mary Parish.

“This is a bit of a shock,” said Msgr. Walsh, who expressed surprise at both the award and Bishop Noonan’s presence. He thanked the bishop and those in attendance, adding that he would “share” the award with Father Henry, who is from Northern Ireland where the Diocese of Armagh is located.

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and includes 79 parishes, 11 missions, two basilicas, and 43 Catholic schools across several counties in Florida. The diocese is led by Bishop John Noonan.

Click here to watch Monsignor Walsh receive the award.