After a brief illness, Fr Edward Quinn (’55) died peacefully at the Bellevue Medical Center in Nebraska on the evening of 12 July.

Fr Ed Quinn was born on 25 June 25 in Minneapolis, MN, USA.  His parents were Edward I. Quinn and Mary Frances Graham.

In his early elementary school years he attended public schools in Iowa. From the sixth through eighth grades he studied at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Omaha, NE, 1939-42. His high school years were spent at Creighton Prep 1942-46, Omaha, NE. For college he studied at Creighton University, Omaha, NE, 1946-50 where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He was a gifted athlete who played on the basketball and track teams at Creighton Prep and Creighton University.

St John’s Church, Creighton University [Wikipedia]

He studied for the priesthood at the Columban seminaries at St Columbans, NE, Bristol, RI, and at Milton, MA. Father Ed was ordained to the priesthood on 17 December 1955 in the Milton seminary chapel.

Fr Quinn in Korea, c. 1960

‘This article, circa 1960, is about my uncle caring for those in leper colonies in South Korea. He lived in Korea until 1972. He then worked in Fiji until he returned to Omaha about a decade ago. He did much good for humanity in his 88 years.’ [From Facebook of Fr Quinn’s nephew, also Edward Quinn.]

He served in Korea from 1956 to 1968 doing parish work.

Later in 1968 Father Ed was assigned to the USA for vocation work in Chicago. While there he started the Korean Catholic Center.

Fr Quinn in Fiji

In 1973 he was assigned to Fiji where he did parish work for ten years. While he mainly served in Fijian-speaking parishes, Father Ed also spoke Hindi which he used in Indian-Fijian parishes. While Regional Director in Fiji 1983-87 he periodically visited and spent several months in Vanuatu, where the Columban Region of Fiji had a mission at that time. From 1987 onwards he  served variously in formation, vocations, hospital chaplaincy and parish work before starting the Lay Missionary program in Fiji. 

Father Ed with Korean Columban Lay MissionariesYean Sin, Bok Ja and Yean Han in Fiji, 1994

Yean Sin died of hepatitis in Fiji on 4 November 1994.

In addition, he was Regional Bursar from 1987 to 1991 and House Bursar/Manager from 1990 to 2007. He was periodically elected as a Regional Councilor throughout his years in Fiji.

From 2007 to the present, he was assigned to St Columbans, Omaha, NE. While he was still able to drive, he chose to be a chauffeur for many Columbans on trips to and from the local airport. He had a low key, unassuming way about him with a wry sense of humor. He is sorely missed.

Crucifix, St Columbans, Nebraska

Obituary by Fr Tim Mulroy, Columban Regional Director, USA.

Christ JyotiAshram – Christ the Light Ashram

Near Nadi, in western Viti Levu

The only time your editor met Fr Ed Quinn was two or three weeks after Easter 1990 when I paid my only visit to Fiji. The late Fr Martin Dobey met me at Nadi International Airport and took me to the Ashram above where the Columbans were on retreat. They greeted me with the traditional yaqona (kava) ceremony. I spent two nights there, as far as I can recall, and then traveled with Father Ed in his vehicle to Suva, a journey of about two hours. Fr Mulroy’s description of him above: He had a low key, unassuming way about him with a wry sense of humor, is how I remember him. As a fellow Columban missionary priest I was inspired by his quiet, joyful presence. 

Coral reef below the Ashram

An abiding memory I have of my stay in the Ashram is the sound of the waves breaking on the coral reef in the photo above, a sound that brought a sense of peace.

May Father Ed rest in the eternal life-filled peace that Jesus has promised to those who follow him and do the will of the Father.

Fr Terence P. F. Twohig, known as ‘Terry’, was born in Donnycarney, Dublin on 16 April 1938. 

Our Lady of Consolation Church, Donnycarney [Website]

He was educated at St Patrickʼs National School, Drumcondra, Coláiste Mhuire, Parnel Square, and Mount St Josephʼs College, Roscrea. He entered the Columban seminary, St Columban’s, College, Dalgan Park, Ireland, in September 1956 and was ordained priest on 21 December 1962.

St Columban, Mount St Joseph’s, Roscrea

Stained glass window by Harry Clarke (1931)

Appointed to the Philippines in 1963, he was assigned to Mindanao. He served in Dumalinao, Kapatagan and Kolambugan, before being assigned to Ireland for three years on promotion work. 

Lake Lanaw from Marawi City [Wikipedia]

On his return to Mindanao he served in Kolambugan, Kiwalan and Iligan City. He then spent the next ten years in parishes in the Prelature of Marawi, where around 95 per cent of the people are Muslims, in Marawi City, Malabang and Karomatan (now Sultan Naga Dimaporo). For part of that time he lived in a Muslim village in order to learn the Maranao language, spoken by the majority of Muslims in the two Lanao provinces, and become closer to the people. This was a difficult time for Father Terry.

A Muslim friend later wrote to him, Father we really miss you back here. You have been a wonderful man to us, better than any good Muslim has been. We really needed help, and the help unexpectedly came from you who have been accused by our folk as an adversary . . . I want you to know that there are Muslims, pure Muslims, who appreciate your work. Should I have the opportunity I would work, and be proud of working, side by side with you, to  bring justice and peace to both our peoples.

In 1990, Father Terry spent a sabbatical year in Birmingham, England, doing  Islamic Studies. On his return to the Philippines, he spent three years in Pagadian Diocese. 

On hearing of Fr Terry’s death, Sultan Maguid Maruhom, a Muslim friend in Pagadian, sent this message that was read at the end of the funeral Mass: I am very sad to know that Fr Terry Twohig passed away yesterday in Ireland. As I pray for his soul, I and my family also extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Columban Fathers. Father Terry was a good man who spent long years of his life in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, to serve our people with abundance of heart and help sow the seeds of peace in this part of the world. I am one of his Muslim friends whom he had much inspired to take the challenge in bridging understanding and building peace between people of different faiths. One thing that made him very close to my heart was that in my time of great trouble this good man always came to help and console me. He never abandoned me as a friend despite the risk. Though he may have left us for good, I am sure my memory of him will always stay. Indeed he was a friend I will never forget and he will inspire me forever.

St Joseph’s Church, Balcurris, Ballymun, Dublin

Assigned once again to Ireland, he spent ten happy years with the people of Ballymun. On 16 May 1998 while he was celebrating Mass for 60 children making their First Holy Communion a shooting incident took place in the church. In his homily at the funeral, Fr Donal Hogan noted: Of course Terry later visited the gunman in jail a number of times – ever the merciful one – indeed the Christ-like one. 

RTÉ report on shooting in St Joseph’s Church

An important part of Father Terry’s life was his involvement with the Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests, in Mindanao and later in Dublin, inspired by the spirituality of Blessed Charles de Foucauld.

Failing health forced Father Terry to the Dalgan Nursing Home in 2004. He was a gentle, good-humoured man, always interested in people. A very committed missionary, he made every effort to reach out to the Muslims of Mindanao, knowing that only the witness of true Christian charity would, and did indeed, make an impression on them. 

Father Terry died on 30 March 2016.May he rest in peace. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me . . . (Psalm 23 [22]:6, Grail translation).

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. May his noble soul be at the right hand of God.

St Columban’s Cemetery, Dalgan Park

Prayer of Abandonment
Blessed Charles de Foucauld

Father,

I abandon myself into your hands;

do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do, I thank you:

I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me,

and in all your creatures –

I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul:

I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,

for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,

to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,

and with boundless confidence,

for you are my Father.

A Proud Dubliner

Like most Irish people, Father Terry had a strong attachment to his native county/city. No doubt this was part of the strong sense of rootedness that enabled him to reach out to Muslims in Mindanao. During his funeral Mass his battered Breviary and a Dublin shirt were brought up as symbols of his life.

Members of the Dublin Gaelic Football team [Dublin GAA]

At the end of the burial of a Catholic in Ireland a decade of the Rosary is prayed.  And after that at the burial of a Columban the Salve Regina is sung. At Father Terry’s funeral another song was added, Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels), the theme song of Dubliners, especially those from the city. Father Terry probably never heard this recent version in Dutch, sung by Ancora, but I’m sure he would have enjoyed it.

Fr Patrick (‘Pat’) Donohoe died rather suddenly in Dublin’s Mater Misericordia Hospital on 28 February, 2016. Born at Derryheen, Cavan on 20 May 1932, he was educated at Cavan Convent School, Drumcrave National School and St Patrick’s College, Cavan. He went to St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Ireland, in 1950 and was ordained priest on 21 December 1956. 

Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim, Cavan [Wikipedia] 

His first appointment was to Korea where he would spend the next twenty-three years. He served in Kwangju (now Gwangju) Vicariate before being appointed Regional Bursar for three years. Then he was appointed to the island of Cheju (now Jeju), where he spent five years keeping the books at the St Isidore Development Association and a further ten years in pastoral work.

Jeju Seashore [Wikipedia]

In 1980 he was assigned to the US Region in order to pursue studies in economics at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.  This led in 1981 to an appointment to the Bursar’s office in Ireland and in the following year to becoming Bursar of the District of Britain. After seven years in that position, he felt the need of a fresh challenge and  was assigned to Jamaica where he again served as Bursar in Montego Bay.

Montego Bay pushcart vendor [Wikipedia]

At the end of 1991, he was assigned the Region of Ireland and served in pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Clonfert. In May 1998 he was assigned as Chaplain to the Missionary Sisters of St Columban in Magheramore. He spent almost eighteen happy years in this final appointment until he was confined to hospital with chest pains and died within twenty-four hours.

Logo of the Columban Sisters

As a Bursar, Father Pat was known to be friendly, thorough and competent.

His ability to prime a conversation, his gift for repartee, together with his wide interest in social, economic and political affairs made him  good company. He will be missed by all of his Columban colleagues and by the Columban Sisters whom he served faithfully until the end.

 May he rest in peace. 

St Columban’s Cemetery, Dalgan Park, Ireland

Fr Patrick Raleigh, Regional Director of the Columbans in Ireland, in his covering letter when emailing the obituary of Fr Donohoe noted that ‘at the end of the meal one of Pat’s friends from Cavan sang a few Cavan songs.’ It is becoming a very praiseworthy practice to have a few songs at the post-funeral lunch in Dalgan Park, something that reflects our hope as believers in the Resurrection. And I cannot imagine that the song below, written by Percy French and the best known Cavan song of all, was omitted. 

It is said too that this was the favourite Irish song of Pope Pius XII and that he was introduced to it by a priest from Ballyjamesduff who was helping him with his English. I don’t know if His Holiness spoke English with a Cavan accent!

Fr Brendan Fahey died peacefully in the Columban Nursing Home, Dalgan Park, Ireland, on 24 January 2016. Born on 8 May, 1930, in Cloonfad, where three western counties, Roscommon, Mayo and Galway, meet.

Cloonfad Post Office [Wikipedia]

He was educated at Derrylea National School, Cloonfad National School and St Jarlath’s College, Tuam,  before joining the Columbans in 1947.  He was ordained on 21 December 1953 and appointed to Japan. He began his ministry as an assistant in Wakayama Parish and worked there until he became pastor of Chigasaki, Yokohama, in 1962. Ten years later he moved to the parish of Kisarazu in Chiba district. He developed great skills in Japanese language and culture and maintained his links with Japanese friends all his life.

Wakayama [Wikipedia]

He left Japan for the USA in 1978 and took the opportunity to pursue his interest in spirituality and spiritual direction, spending his first month at a House of Intercessory Prayer for Priests and then doing further studies in Cambridge, MA.  Father Brendan was then assigned to Britain and to St Bede’s Parish in Widnes, Archdiocese of Liverpool.

St Bede’s, Widnes [Wikipedia]

After nearly ten years in that parish, he was appointed to the staff of St Beuno’s Centre for Spirituality in Wales where his skills as a lecturer and spiritual director were highly regarded.  Following this, he became pastor of the nearby St Joseph’s Parish, Denbigh, where he spent ten happy years.

St Beuno’s Ignatian Spirituality Centre [Wikipedia]

Returning to Ireland in 2002 he made himself available to help out in the Nursing Home and continued to care for less-abled colleagues till he needed that level of care himself.  In Dalgan he was a very esteemed member of the Nursing Home Pastoral Team and much in demand for First Friday Reflections and other Spiritual Conferences. His health deteriorated rapidly in the last few months.

Father Brendan’s quiet and caring personality, made him an attractive and approachable mentor and guide for many people. He left us with memories of a caring missionary, with an impish sense of humour, who introduced many people to the loving God whom he served so well.

May he rest in peace.

St Columban’s Cemetery, Dalgan Park, Ireland

Obituary prepared by Frs Noel Daly and Cyril Lovett.

+++

The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ studied theology at St Beuno’s in the 1870s where he wrote one of his best-known  poems, God’s Grandeur.

Fr Geoffrey (Geoff) Revatto was born on 15 October 1925 at Guileen, Whitegate, County Cork, Ireland. He was educated at Guileen National School and at St Colmanʼs College, Fermoy, County Cork. He came to St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan, in 1943 and was ordained priest there on 21 December 1949.

Sipalay Beach [Wikipedia]

He was assigned to the Philippines and to the the Diocese of Bacolod on the island of Negros, Philippines. At the time the diocese covered the whole of the province of Negros Occidental. He spent the next twenty-seven years in various assignments on Negros, including La Castellaña, Sipalay, Ma-ao Central, Dancalan, Binalbagan and Biscom. Biscom is a large sugar mill located in Binalbagan and had its own priest for many years.

Sugarcane trucks, Philippines [Wikipedia]

Father Geoff served for three years on mission promotion in Ireland from 1978 to 1980. Then he was once again assigned to Negros where he served as Bursar in Batang, Himamaylan, the central house for the Columban District of Negros, for five years and then as Pastor in Cauayan in the Diocese of Bacolod.

Mount Kanlaon, from the east [Wikipedia]

Mt Kanlaon dominates much of northern Negros. La Castellaña, one of the parishes where Father Geoff served, is at its base.

In 1988 he was appointed back to Ireland, where he took up various tasks in the Far East offices. (Far East is the the Columban magazine for Ireland and Britain). Even as he gradually lost the use of his legs, he continued to drive in a specially modified car and to faithfully put in a dayʼs work in the offices. By the year 2000 he had to give up that activity also.

Father Geoff was a quiet, dedicated, patient man who rarely complained as his health deteriorated and even the simplest activities demanded huge effort. He enjoyed a joke, the company of fellow-Columbans and always found ways of contributing to the life of the community. He died peacefully in the Columban Nursing Home, Dalgan Park on 28th December 2015.

Fr Thomas Revatto, also a Columban, spoke briefly at the funeral Mass. Father Tom was ordained one year before his brother.

May he rest in peace.

St Columban’s Cemetery, Dalgan Park

Homily at Fr Geoff Revatto’s Funeral Mass

St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, 31 December 2015

by Fr Donal Hogan

I was one of a group of Columbans who arrived in the late 1960s in Negros.  Geoff, Tom (his brother) and so many of the pioneers on the island since 1950 were so supportive of us young ones.  Their experience, friendship and sound advice helped us greatly during those first years. In fact, I see one of the last group of Columbans to be assigned in Negros in the early 1970s is with us today – Jim Martin, and I know that for him, too, the friendship of Geoff and Tom were a great source of encouragement and support.

I often wondered how on earth these pioneers managed without older Columbans to guide them when they first arrived.  No doubt it was by the grace of God and the support of one another.

Geoff is now at peace with the Lord.  He has been received into the loving embrace of his heavenly Father in the company of his parents, sister  Mary and many Columban confreres, especially his friends from Negros – Mark Kavanagh, Des Quinn, Sean Holloway and so many others.

In the Gospel Jesus says, ‘Come to me . . .’  the final call of the Lord to Geoff . . . ‘and I will give you rest.’  In another place the Lord says ‘Come , my beloved . . .  winter is past . . . darkness is over and the light has come.’  Geoff has now been welcomed into the light of God’s presence.

In the first reading we heard, ‘It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save’.  This echoes the psalmist, ‘Be still before the Lord and wait in patience.’ Observing Geoff during these last years he lived these scriptures.  He was so patient in accepting the limitations his failing health brought to him.  He maintained his good humour, courtesy and kindness.  There was a calmness and contentment about him.  Clearly his prayer was  ‘Not my will but thy will be done.’  His presence was a blessing for us all.

The second reading says:  ‘The life and death of each of us has its influence on others.’ Geoff touched the lives of so many people – especially the poor in Negros, I think in particular of the parish of Sipalay which had been without a resident priest for 50 years till Geoff arrived in the early 1950s.  His presbytery was a simple  nipahouse. In the dry season the parish could be reached by road but in the rainy season only by boat.

A traditional nipa hut [Wikipedia]

The people in the photo are exercising ‘Bayanihan’, an expression of a Philippine communal value very similar to that of the Irish‘Meitheal’.

For recreation Geoff played bridge and golf when the opportunity arose.

Regarding the golf when I arrived in Negros in 1969, Tom and his brother Geoff, together with Mark Kavanagh and Jack Hynes (both deceased) had a regular four-ball with all competing fiercely.  Then I arrived – the new kid on the block.  One week Geoff challenged me to a game.  As Noel said last night, I had a feeling I was walking into an ambush.  On the first tee Geoff said ‘We’ll play strokes’ I was a bit surprised as usually it would have been match play – where it’s hole by hole.  But he knew what he was about. He was short and straight I hit longer but wilder – the ball could end up anywhere!  We went along till 10th hole – he was one stroke up.  Then I chalked up 10 strokes to his 4 on the 10thand never recovered after!

Where the ‘exploits’ above took place[Source]

In more recent times when Geoff was confined to the wheel chair, I remember at lunch complaining about the terrible day’s golf.  Geoff smiled and said to me, ‘Any day you can play golf is a “Good Day!”‘  It was so true and made me realise how much I take for granted in life.

In the 1970s Geoff was assigned on Mission Promotion in Ireland and spent some time in the Cathedral Parish in Waterford and in Gort, County Galway.  He is fondly remembered by the local clergy and the people.   He had wide interests – he was a good golfer and bridge player and enjoyed the horses.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Waterford [Wikipedia]

One day in 1981 he received a phone call from superior in Negros asking him if he would come back and take up the position of Bursar in our central house in Negros.  Without hesitation he accepted and again in the central house his kindly and always supportive presence was much appreciated by Columbans young and old,  especially as that time was a stressful time with Niall O’Brien having been jailed with the other members of what became known as the Negros Nine.  Geoff was regularly in the courtroom to give support to those falsely accused.

A psalm Geoff often recited that is also a favourite of some family members is ‘The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want’.  The last few verses are so appropriate for this occasion:  ‘You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.  My head you have anointed with oil, my cup is overflowing.’  Indeed the final verse sums up Geoff’s life, ‘Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.  In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell forever and ever.’

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal – May his noble soul rest in peace.

Fr John Vincent Gallagher, known to his fellow Columbans as ‘John V’, died peacefully on 18 December 2015 in St Columban’s Nursing Home, Dalgan Park, Navan, Ireland.  Born on 24 December 1923, in Glasgow, Scotland, but raised in Dún Lúiche (Dunlewey), Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), County Donegal, Ireland.

St Andrew’s Catholic Cathedral, Glasgow [Wikipedia]

He was educated in Dunlewey National School, Meenaclady National School, and St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny. He went to St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, in 1944 and was ordained there on 21 December 1950.

Poison Glen, near Dunlewey [Wikipedia]

Assigned to the Philippines, he had a series of appointments in his first three years to Silang, Cavite, Lingayen and Olongapo, and this was followed by a four-year stint as assistant in Malate Church, Manila. In 1960 he was appointed to Student Catholic Action in the Archdiocese of Manila. His capacity for relating with young people, his sense of humour and his dedication meant that he was very successful in this ministry where he spent the next eleven years. He then spent four years as Chaplain at Makati Medical Centre where he was deeply appreciated by both patients and staff.

Nuestra Señora de Remedios, Our Lady of Remedies
Malate Church, Manila [Wikipedia]

This was followed by a period as Director of the Student Pastorate in Baguio City; at the same time he proved a generous host as he took charge of the Columban Vacation House in that city.

Baguio City [Wikipedia]

After Baguio, it was back to the lowlands again, with years spent first in Morong and later in Jalajala, Rizal, before being assigned once more to Malate, Manila.

In 1990, he was appointed to the Mission Promotion Team in Ireland. His abiding interest in people, his extraordinary memory for names and his gift for relating to young schoolchildren, made him a very valuable asset to the team. He returned once more to the Philippines in 1995 and spent his last three years there in pastoral work. When he returned to Ireland in 1998, he was available for all sorts of tasks, including radio interviews, in Irish and English, on all news events to do with the Philippines.

Father John V.  was a dedicated missionary, a fascinating companion and  a unique character. People who met him once never forgot him. He will be sadly missed by all of us. He was buried on 21 December from the chapel in St Columban’s where he had been ordained priest exactly 65 years before.

May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal – May his noble soul be on the right hand of God.

The obituary, slightly edited here, was written by Fr Cyril Lovett.

Fr Patrick Raleigh, Regional Director of the Columbans in Ireland, mentioned in an email that the lunch after the burial was followed by a sing-song mostly of songs dealing with Donegal. The song above, The Green Fields of Gweedore, is sung by Clannad, the members of which are from the place. The opening line refers to the townland where Father John V grew up: Down past Dunlewey’s bonnie lakes.

Gleanntáin Ghlas’ Ghaoth Dobhair, ‘The  Green Glens of Gweedore’, is sung by Altan, the lead singer of which, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, is also a native of this beautiful place. She sings in Irish (Gaelic), Father John V’s native tongue, the ancestral language of most Irish people. The readings at the funeral Mass and the traditional decade of the Rosary at the graveside were in Irish.

Both songs are songs of exile about the singer’s native place and both videos show scenes around Gweedore.

Fr Eamonn Byrne died in St Columban’s Nursing Home, Dalgan Park, Navan, Ireland, on 12 December 2015.  Born in Crumlin, Dublin on 23 July 1929, he was educated at Rialto National School and Synge St Christian Brothers’ School, Dublin, and entered the Columban seminary in Dalgan Park in 1947. He was ordained priest there on 21 December 1953.

Synge Street CBS logo [Wikipedia]

Appointed to the Philippines in 1954, he was assigned to St Isidore the Farmer Parish, Labrador, Pangasinan, for three years.

St Isidore the Farmer Church, Labrador [Wikipedia]

From 1957 to 1964 he was Chaplain at University of the East, Manila, and later at Far Eastern University, Manila. He spent periods as Director of Student Catholic Action in Manila, and many years later, in retirement, he published a history of that dynamic movement under the title, Columbans in Student Catholic Action, Philippines 1937-2007.

Logo of Student Catholic Action Philippines [Wikipedia]

From 1974 till 1977 Fr Byrne worked to develop the Columban apostolate to the Filipino community in the USA. Then, it was back to Pangasinan, to the parishes of Lingayen, Naguelguel, Labrador and Sual until 1988 when he was assigned to the Columban Formation Program for college students in Cebu City for a brief period. Subsequently he served for six years as Director of Vocations in Luzon, and a further six years on Mission Awareness in that area. His last appointment in the Philippines was to Our Lady of Remedies Parish, Malate, Manila, where he served from 2000 to 2007, when he returned to the Retirement Home at St Columbanʼs, Navan.

Epiphany of the Lord Co-Cathedral, Lingayen [Wikipedia]

A man of great charm and good humour, he was a popular pastor and worked very well with young people. As long as his health permitted, he was an enthusiastic member of the retired Columbans in Dalgan, ever willing to lend his support and encouragement to any new initiative.

May he rest in peace.

St Columban’s Cemetery, Dalgan Park

Obituary by Fr Cyril Lovett

Grafton Street, Dublin [Wikipedia]

‘Grafton Street’s a wonderland . . .’

Fr Patrick Raleigh, Regional Director of the Columbans in Ireland, wrote in an email: Fr Eugene Ryan, a classmate, recited the Prayers at the Cemetery. After lunch in the College there was an impromptu sing-song and very fittingly some of the songs were Dublin songs.

Very likely one of those songs was The Dublin Saunter, written by Dubliner Leo Maguire for another Dubliner, Noel Purcell, who sings it here. Noel (1900 – 1985) was an internationally-known film, TV and stage actor and, like Father Eamonn, was educated at Synge Street CBS.

St Stephen’s Green, Dublin [Wikipedia]

‘And a stroll in Stephen’s Green’

+Sister Barbara O’Sullivan passed away peacefully in St. Columban’s Nursing Home, Magheramore, Wicklow, on Monday, 19th September 2016. Removal of Remains  on Thursday 22nd September 2016 at 5:30pm to the Convent Chapel, Magheramore, Wicklow. Funeral Mass on Friday, 23rd September 2016 at 11.30am followed by Internment in the Convent Cemetery.

Lord, we ask you to receive our Sister Barbara into the eternal joy of your Kingdom. As she endeavoured to honour you during her life, so now allow her to taste the everlasting happiness which you promised to your faithful followers. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Message before the Mass by Sr. Rose Gallagher, SSC:

“On behalf of the sisters here in Magheramore, it is my great privilege to welcome you all..

and in particular to welcome you, Sr. Barbara’s family and friends who have come to say farewell to your beloved Aunt Tessie, cousin and friend.

And indeed we are mindful this morning of those who are joining us in spirit – Barbara’s sister Mary, family members in the UK, Australia and Singapore and friends in Hong Kong…

who are closely united with us as we celebrate Barbara’s life and her entry into Heaven.

Welcome also to our priest friends, the Columban Fathers, the Bon Secours Sisters, our valued Staff Members and our own sisters who travelled to be with us.

Thanks too, to Fr. Gerry Neylon who will lead us in our Liturgy together with our priest concelebrants: Fr. Pat Raleigh, Director of the Irish Region of the Society of the Columban Fathers; Fr. Michael Sinnott, Fr. Sean McNulty; Fr. Cyril Lovett; Fr. Pat O’Conor, our resident chaplain.

Certain aspects of Barbara’s life would mirror for us traits of the God whom she loved and followed faithfully:

• A relational God, whose friendship bears healing and help.
• A God of delicate tastes…  delighting in the finer things of life.

• God, a lover of Nature and of things beautiful.

And now, we turn to this gracious God, who fashioned and shaped Barbara’s finely tuned soul,  giving thanks through the Eucharist for her long life and dedication to mission.

May choirs of angels sing you to your rest, dear Barbara.

Read more: Reflection given by Sr. Redempta Twomey, SSC

+Sister Katherine Hurley passed away peacefully in St Columban’s Nursing Home, Magheramore, Wicklow, on Saturday, 28 May 2016.

Removal of Remains on Monday 30 May at 5.30pm to the Convent Chapel. Funeral Mass on Tuesday, 31 May at 11.30a.m., followed by Interment in the Convent Cemetery.

Lord, we ask you to receive our Sister Katherine into the eternal joy of your Kingdom. As she endeavoured to honour you during her life, so now allow her to taste the everlasting happiness which you promised to your faithful followers. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Homily given by Sr. Redempta Twomey during the Funeral Mass of Sr. Katherine Hurley, RIP.

 Magheramore, 31 May 2016

Phil 4:1-7; Jn 14:1-6

Our big woman is gone home. That big heart is stilled forever, that warm voice is silent now and those eyes, so often full of fun and laughter, will sparkle for us no more. Katherine is gone from us and we mourn her here this lovely May morning, the feast of the Visitation the feast of Mary whose words of trust were Katherine’s motto: ‘Be it done unto me according to your word.’   We are united in grief, but surely also united in hope. Hope because we heard the gospel, a text chosen by Katherine for this day of her burial. “After I have gone to prepare a place for you,” Jesus told his disciples, “I shall return and take you with me so that where I am you also may be too.”  What greater consolation could we have at this time than these words of the Lord? And this is what Katherine wanted to give us so that we would be glad for her and dry our tears.

This is a day of memories, memories shared by her family, her friends, her community. Her much loved family were the jewels in her heart, loved in a way that only a very caring sister knows how.  How Katherine enjoyed the family get-togethers, the fun, the laughter! How she valued your visits to her, especially in her last illness.  And what a blessing, what a consolation,  it was for her, for all of us, that her brother, Fr Paddy, anointed her less than an hour before she died. This good woman, this woman of faith and grace could go in peace.

When we look down the corridors of time, we meet someone who from her childhood seemed fitted for the many roles thrust upon her. Both her parents were teachers and she too greatly enjoyed teaching, especially the children in the parish schools the sisters directed in Westminster and Los Angeles, her first mission. The little children of Mexican immigrants, who were not always welcomed by their classmates found a strong ally in Katherine. Many of these students kept in touch with her; only last year one of them visited her after 50 years. A little girl who found it hard to speak English until Katherine took her in hand so that she ended up being a University professor. She never forgot the nun who opened doors for her – one of the many students that knew the blessing it was to have such a teacher.

What a wrench then it must have been to be elected as Superior General in the 1970 Chapter! This was the post Vatican ll era when the Church was undergoing a major upheaval, students were rioting, new ideologies were battling it out, endless debates and discussions were the fodder of the time. Religious women were leaving their convent in huge numbers, searching for a new articulation of the life, and undertaking various experiments in community living. In this turbulent time Katherine sought to steer a good course, responding to the movement of the Spirit with great faith and courage. Not everyone agreed with her decisions and she had many tussles but her integrity and her love for the sisters were beyond question. ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the woman’; it is doubtful that anyone else could have so ably taken on the role she held during those difficult years. One of her many gifts was a delightful sense of fun which could rescue the most sober meeting.  And, of course, with her lovely voice there was always a song at the ready. Katherine in fact never lost that child-like quality, that openness that embraced life so joyfully.  Hers was an uplifting presence, redolent with fun and laughter. How she enjoyed a good joke, often at her own expense.

After twelve years as Superior, she cast off the cloak of office and, without a backward glance, set off for Chile. Always a missionary, she now found herself living in small quarters among the poor, moving in and out of their lives with that respect and kindness  that so endeared her to all. She gave but she also received. A favourite story, which she loved to relate, was of a little boy, about 11 years old who, when she was ill one time, came to the house and asked her, seriously, if he could anoint her. So, with his oil and his prayers he proceeded to minister to this tall, gentle neighbour who indeed felt blessed by his earnest anointing. The resilience of the Chilean people at a time of military oppression inspired her and, with the community, she was heart and soul with the poor. Later, back here, she wrote an admirable account of the sisters in Chile. On one occasion when the community was leaving San Antonio the people of the parish had a moving farewell liturgy during which one of the leaders, Ruben, approached the pulpit carrying a large plastic bag. Out of this he drew a dove, a symbol, he said, of the sisters’ presence, their love and dedication. And raising the dove aloft he said, “And now their mission is to go to another place.” At which he released the bird that flew around the sanctuary before settling quietly on the altar.  Katherine now has gone to another place – the place prepared for her by Jesus. And the bird we would want to release I think, might not be a dove, but a big, strong eagle!

Coming to the motherhouse was the final transition before going to the Infirmary. She was at home here, and made others feel welcome too. Sensitive to their difficulties, Katherine was a good listener and many benefited from her wisdom, her insightful advice. Nor did her cheerfulness fail when she was diagnosed: “I am going on a gentle journey with cancer,” she told her friends. She was cared for by the devoted and kind staff who helped her battle the increasing weakness.  But there came the long drawn out days of pain and more pain and we saw the struggle of this strong woman stretched on the cross like the Lord whose faithful disciple she was. Finally, on Saturday, before the first Vespers of Corpus Christi, he took her to himself.

Katherine’s final gift to us is to be found in the great readings of today’s liturgy: “I want you to be happy, always happy.”  “I am the Way…”  Let me also read to you from a letter she sent from Chile more than twenty years ago to her former students of Our Lady of Guadalupe School on the 40th anniversary of their graduation. Her words, so inspiring then will surely encourage us now.

 “You asked me for a message. What can I say? Life is a great teacher! Its joys and sorrows, successes and failures, achievements and disappointments all add up making us wiser and hopefully, in the end, happier people. St Paul tells us that “For those who love God all things work together unto good” (Rom 8:28). And twice at the Last Supper Jesus himself told us he wants us to be full of joy! (Jn 15:11; 17:13). So to be truly happy is a real Christian gift. It’s offered to us in all the happenings of our lives. My prayer is that you may find it and welcome it into your lives.”                                                                         

Redempta Twomey, SSC

+Sister Mary Genevieve Blanchfield passed away peacefully in St Columban’s Nursing Home, Magheramore, Wicklow, on Monday, 15 February, 2016.

Removal of Remains on Tuesday,16 February at 5.30pm to the Convent Chapel. Funeral Mass on Wednesday, 17 February at 11.30a.m., followed by Interment in the Convent Cemetery.

Lord, we ask you to receive our Sister Mary Genevieve into the eternal joy of your Kingdom. As she endeavoured to honour you during her life, so now allow her to taste the everlasting happiness which you promised to your faithful followers. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Words of welcome by Sr. Rose Gallagher  during the Funeral Mass of Sr. Mary Genevieve Blanchfield:

Good morning everyone. On behalf of the sisters here in Magheramore it is my great privilege to welcome you all, and in particular, to welcome you, Sr. Genevieve’s family and friends who have come to say farewell…. farewell to dear “Pearly”…both beloved and lovely…

 And indeed we are mindful this morning of Bess and Oscar who, together with Fr. Pat, and other family members, are closely united with usas we celebrate Genevieve’s life and her entry into Heaven.

Welcome also to our priest friends –

the Columban Fathers…

the Dominican Sisters….

our valued Staff members

and our own sisters who have travelled to be with us.

We turn now to the Eucharistic table  to give thanks for Genevieve, a woman  who discovered the ‘beatitude of littleness’ … and lived it with such disarming simplicity…in fidelity to Him whom her heart loved.

Dear and beloved Genevieve,  we will miss your winsome ways  and your warm humanity.  May you rest in peace.

Please click below the Homily given by Sr. Redempta Twomey during the Funeral Mass of Sr. M. Genevieve Blanchfield :

Homily by Sr. Redempra Twomey

+Sister Theresa Marie Malloy died in St Columban’s-on-the Lake, Silver Creek, New York, on Friday 22 January 2016. May she rest in the peace of the Lord whom she loved and served so faithfully.

Sr. Corona Colleary, Area Leader of the US wrote:

“This morning we laid our beloved Sister Theresa to rest among our Columban Sisters and Fathers in our beautiful cemetery overlooking Lake Erie.  Despite the snow on the ground, there was no wind and we gathered comfortably for our prayers at the gravesite offered by Father Vincent McCarthy.  A pair of eagles, which Theresa had often watched over the years, flew along the shore as the coffin was lowered.

The chapel was full for the Mass of Christian Burial, a beautiful celebration of Theresa’s  life.  Father Peter Cronin, SSC, was the main celebrant, assisted by Fathers Vincent McCarthy and Thomas Walsh.  Father Cronin’s homily was based on the Gospel reading of John: 14: 1-6; unfortunately it isn’t available in a printed form.  I have attached a beautiful reflection from Sister Theresa’s niece, Mary and the reflection from her nephew, Bob Lindquist.

The Anniversary Room was the setting for a lovely meal for the Sisters, family and friends following the burial.  Thankfully, the weather allowed everyone to return home safely.

The numerous messages of sympathy from all over the world of the Columban Sisters, have touched us deeply.  Theresa belongs to all of us, and at such a time it is heartwarming to be so closely connected with each of you, even at such distances.

Heartfelt thanks to all who sent messages of sympathy and prayers.”

Please click below the Reflection of Mary Malloy, niece of our late Sr. Theresa Marie Malloy.

Reflection on Theresa

 Please click below the Reflection of Bob Lindquist, nephew of Sr. Theresa Marie Malloy

Sr. Theresa Malloy Reflection from Nephew Bob Lindquist

+Sister Rita Mekitarian passed away peacefully in St. Columban’s Nursing Home, Magheramore, Wicklow on Friday, 6th November 2015.

Removal of Remains  on Sunday, 8th November at 5:30pm to the Convent Chapel. Funeral Mass on  Monday, 9th November at 11.30am followed by Internment in the Convent Cemetery.

Lord, we ask you to receive our Sister Rita into the eternal joy of your Kingdom. As she endeavoured to honour you during her life, so now allow her to taste the everlasting happiness which you promised to your faithful followers. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

Words of welcome by Sr. Rose Gallagher  during the Funeral Mass of Sr. Rita Mekitarian:

On behalf of the Sisters here in Magheramore, it is my great privilege to welcome you all and in particular to welcome you,

Tom, Noel and Ann, family members and friends, and we unite with Joan who is with us in spirit from her home in the US.

Welcome also to our priest friends, the Columban Fathers,our local priest Fr. Scully, our valued Staff members,

and our own sisters who have travelled to be with us.

Our thanks to Sr. Anne Carbon who is our homilist today and to Fr. Pat, our Resident Chaplain,

who will lead us in our Liturgy,together with our priest concelebrants.

Rita, through her way of relating, has reminded us once again of God’s refreshing ways of engaging with us

… a God who delights in simplicity, spontaneity, and is fun-loving

… a God who enjoys the company of the ‘chancers’ amongst us, and the risk-takers for the sake of the Kingdom.

… a God who is wreckless in self-giving where need is  greatest

… and a God who shelters us in our suffering  making it fruitful for our world.

And how right it is for us to turn now in this Eucharist,  to this gracious God

to give thanks for Rita, for her winsome ways and for her fidelity unto the Cross.

May the merits of your suffering Rita, reach out into our world… and into the heart of the Filipino people whom you loved so well ….

and also, bring unnumbered blessings to your beloved family”.

Reflection given by Sr. Anne Carbon during the Funeral Mass of Sr. Rita Mekitarian:

We are all gathered here this morning to say goodbye to our dear Rita as she enters into the fullness of life with God.

Like all those who have gone before us, Rita left us with wonderful memories and all of us present here have different memories of Rita- as a Sister to Joan, Noel and Tom, as sister in law, as an aunt, cousin, friend and as our Sister in the Congregation. And am sure if we begin to share those memories, we will end up writing a book of this remarkably beautiful woman.

Even the reading today on the Gospel of Matthew on the Beatitudes, captured a lot of who our dear Rita is and as someone had said, ” Rita is in God’s pocket!”

Kathleen Rita Mekitarean was born in Newtown, Trim, Co. Meath, together with her twin brother Tom, on 6th June 1931. She entered the Congregation in 1953 in Cahircon, was professed on April 26, 1956 and was given the name Sr. Mary Gregory.

In her application letter, Rita wrote that she joined the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban believing that God called her to a life of missionary service in the Far East, particularly in China. With great enthusiasm she looked forward to go to China but found herself missioned in the Philippines instead.

Rita was missioned in the United States for a few years and shortly after that, she arrived in Malasique, northern part of the Philippines in 1961.She was very much involved in Catechetical work in the parish and like any missionaries, Rita studied the local language to be able to relate deeper with the people. Rita described in her letter during her early time in the Philippines that “life here is very simple and we lived at a slow seemingly uneventful tempo. We depended on the Calesa-similar to our pony and trap to transport us from school to school”.

Being a typhoon prone country, Rita had various experiences of typhoons in the Philippines- hearing the screeching noise of the galvanized iron sheets being stripped off the houses and half expecting that the roof of the house will come off at any moment, thunderous sounds of the rain as it lashed against the houses, mopping up efforts with the rainwater that comes inside the house and in the window sill and worst, not finding a dry spot on her bed to lie down! With all this, it was not a bother for Rita because she has that great consciousness of God in her life and even seeing God being in the storm and His protecting arms keeping them safe. And typical Rita, she would be out the following day to help the neighbours!

As a Social worker by profession and coupled with her many gifts, Rita had a wider scope of getting herself involved  in many aspects of the reality around her either on health care- discovering the prevalence of malnutrition and TB, mental illness and leprosy, networking with different agencies, observer at a local election to make sure that it is an honest and clean election, justice and peace work( she seems never afraid of anything and to do anything), and working on family life apostolate in the Diocese which was very much valued by the priests, religious and laity of the Archdiocese because of her excellent rapport, presence and talents. Rita’s most positive attitude, commitment and compassion were very much at the heart of her ministry and she was very much immersed with the reality of the people and the country especially in politics.

When the mission in Malasique closed in the early 80’s, where Rita worked for several years, she was sent to the southern part of Mindanao working and living with the Subaanens, one of the indigenous tribes in Mindanao. It was actually the dream of Rita to work in the island of Mindanao! Once again, Rita found another challenging reality of the life of the Indigenous people living in the midst of poverty and injustice. And she loved being with the Subaanens and the simplicity of the lifestyle in there. In one of her letters, Rita said, “I am enjoying my time here in the mountain, experiencing the life of the tribal and reading books on ecology. It’s only when you are living in the middle of the devastation-the result of logging and cutting down trees, water erosion, that all these ecological materials makes sense”.

No doubt, with her lovely smile, generosity, sense of humor, simplicity of life style and innocence, Rita captured the heart of the Filipino people who were endeared by her gentle presence. I remembered Imelda Domantay, a good friend of the Sisters in Malasique told me that “The people in Malasique saw Sr. Rita like Our Lady. She has very beautiful eyes!”

For health reasons, Rita has to return to Ireland and yet, she still continued to be on mission for 10 years in Ireland, Scotland and England, where once again she gave the very best of herself and was a very hard worker!

Later, when her health deteriorated, she came here to Magheramore in 1999 to have the needed care. This was a great challenge for her. As we all know, Rita, all her life, was most artistic. We all remembered her hand made cards of dried flowers and shrubs. She loved plants and I think she was the one who took care of flowers and plants on our chapel corridors for several years.

A woman of deep faith and trust in God, she accepted the gradual deterioration of her condition patiently and humbly. Perhaps, in all these years as we watched Rita became totally dependent on the care of others, we have also come to grips with our own vulnerability and helplessness. Yet, throughout Rita’s long journey of suffering, we never saw or heard her complain. Even the staff here in the Nursing Home were witnesses that Rita never complained. I suppose, Rita was able to embrace her pain so that it  became for her a life giving grace as she lived through with her Motto: “My Jesus, Mercy”.

We know that Rita loved her family and she connected with them closely during her time in the mission. She was a good writer and shared with them her many mission stories of her life with the people. She even wrote to Una while waiting at the Canadian Embassy in Manila to follow up a project for the farmers in a village in Malasiqui! She never wasted time indeed!

We thank God today for Rita’s life especially for her peaceful presence with us and we join together with thanksgiving in returning her to the God of Love with gratitude. And on behalf of the Filipino people whom you served and loved, I would like to say personally once again to you, Rita, “DAGHANG SALAMAT” (THANK YOU very much!)

We will miss you but we also know that you are now free from your long years of suffering and are now united with your dear parents, your sisters Ann and Una and brothers, Teddy and Frank. I am sure that the many saints of Ireland gave you a great welcome as you met them on their Feast!

A great missionary indeed “’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

(Mt. 25:23)

May you rest in Peace.

by Sr. Anne Carbon, SSC

November 9th 2015