The funeral Mass for Fr Michael Darcy SMA took place in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Swanlinbar, Co Cavan at 11am on Monday, 13 May 2013.
Fr John Dunne, SMA Provincial Leader, was the Principal Celebrant, assisted by V Rev Fr Donald Hannon, PP of Killesher & Kinawley parish. Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore presided.
Seventeen other priests concelebrated.
Priests of Kilmore diocese: Fathers Gerry Comiskey (PP Staghall), Fintan McKiernan (PP Derrylin), Tomas McManus (PP Corlough), John Murphy (PP Bailieboro) and Thomas Woods (Swanlinbar).
Fr John McGovern (a relative of Fr Michael, from Killaloe diocese) and two priests from the Archdiocese of Tuam: Fathers Paddy Mooney (PP Glenamaddy) and Mattie Long (PP, Louisburgh) where Fr Michael ministered for several years also concelebrated.
Three of his SMA classmates were also there: Fathers Eddie Deeney, Bill Ghent and Sean Kilbane. The remaining SMA priests were: Fathers Malachy Flanagan, Martin Kavanagh, Daniel McCauley, Seamus Nohilly, Colum O’Shea and Gerry Sweeney.
Mrs Annie Darcy, a sister-in-law of Fr Michael was the chief mourner along with her children and grandchildren. Different members of the family participated in the Mass in various ways: reading, prayers of the faithful, offertory procession.
Before the removal of Fr Michael’s body from the Church, Bishop O’Reilly spoke to the congregation and gave thanks for the dedication and example of Fr Michael as a missionary. The Bishop hoped that such an example would encourage young people of the parish to consider giving their lives to God as a priest or in religious life.
Fr Dunne preached the homily for the Mass, drawing on the three readings from Isaiah 25: 6-9; Romans 14: 7-12 and John 14: 1-6.
Read the homily here.