Sir Mo Farah has praised 'Father Vlad' of St Mary's University following the completion of an epic fundraising effort to help buy a new chapel organ.

The story featured on the BBC's 'Song of Praise' programme at the weekend, which explored the connection between faith and fitness.

The programme interviewed Prof Monsignor Vladimir Felzmann, who has recently completed 83 half marathons at the university's Sir Mo Farah Athletics Track.

Father Vlad, who is 83, told the programme how the fundraising for a new chapel organ allowed him to combine his love of sport with his passion for music and faith.

"I thought, 'what can I do?', and into my head came two numbers; I am 83 years on this planet – 52 years a priest – so how about walking 52 laps of the running track 83 times? And that's what I have done,' he said.

The effort, which adds up to 4,316 laps, has raised around £60,000 so far towards a target of more than £300,000 needed.

Father Vlad said: "When you spend four hours more of less walking on your own it is a wonderful time to think.

"I see human life in terms of the P.I.E.S – the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. They are totally interrelated, but you can look at each individually.

"You can look at your physical and how is that getting on; look at intellectual, and how are your studies getting on; how is your emotional life; how is your spiritual life.

"And the physical helps the spiritual. The physicality helps me think differently, feel differently and come closer to God. Sport does that in my experience.

"It's been a wonderful experience. I am glad it is done, because it has taken up a lot of time, but it has been an enriching experience."

After completing the gruelling task, he received a video message from Olympic legend Sir Mo, who said: "This is amazing work, incredible. You set yourself a big challenge – so many laps around my track for a good cause….what amazing work."

Overlooking the main Piazza, the Chapel is at the heart of the St Mary's University life. With Mass said there daily for the local and University community, it is also an important venue for Christian communities.

In recent years the Chapel has welcomed Pope Benedict XVI, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople of the Eastern Orthodox Church Bartholomew I of Constantinople, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rt Rev Rt Hon Prof Baron Rowan Williams, and the then Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Rt Rev Richard Clarke.

Father Vlad said: "My aim is to give back to our Chapel its voice so that the beauty of its music may, once again, awaken and open hearts to our Creator, God."

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