Éamonn MacThomáis, the Dublin historian and author, recalled in The Irish Press in an article dated 2 June 1986 his contribution in helping Ballyfermot to get its new church.

[2] Mac Thomáis' parish church was the nearby St. Michael's in Inchicore and one Sunday at mass Father Donal O'Scannaill (one of the curate’s in St Michael's and also assigned to help initialise the new parish of Ballyfermot) appealed over the altar for door-to-door collectors to help collect money to build a church in Ballyfermot.

Mac Thomáis offered his services and within a week received his collector’s book to collect from what were then known as the 'newly wed houses' on Muskerry Road.

[2] There were many other events organised by Father Donal O'Scannaill and the community to raise funds for the new church, such as social evenings which included dances and rounds of the game Take Your Pick!, named after a popular radio show of the time.

[2] This was a game where the person playing had the choice to take money that was offered to them or open a box which could result in winning nothing.