Father Patrick Heaney arrived from St Kevin's Bargeddie in 1958 to succeed Fr Butler. 

 

Fr Heaney had served as Chaplain to the Catholic Women's League from 1953-1958 and was Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart at the start of the great liturgical changes that took place following the Second Vatican Council 1962-1965.

 

In 1963, Father Heaney was made a Canon and in the same era made changes to Sacred Heart Church. The Church was redecorated and changes made to the side Altars and Sanctuary. 

 

On 20th May 1967, Canon Heaney died aged 65. After his Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart, he was buried in St Patrick's Cemetery, New Stevenston.