The SMA Provincial Leader, Fr Michael McCabe, was the Principal celebrant for the Funeral Mass for Fr Bill Kennedy SMA on Wednesday, 20 May 2015. He was assisted by Fr Leo Silke SMA [a classmate of Fr Bill], Fr Richard Wall SMA [former Regional Superior of MidWest Nigeria when Fr Bill was working there] and Fr Declan Blake [who worked with Fr Bill in the Finglas West parish, Dublin and is now PP of Ballymun parish].

Fr Michael’s homily

“I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too.” Christ made this promise to his disciples before he left them to return to the Father. Christ, whose Ascension into Heaven we celebrated just three days ago, has now returned for Fr Bill and bring him to the place he has prepared from him. As we acknowledge the loss of a dear confrere, brother and friend, we thank God for the witness of his life as a missionary priest. In the words of Paul to Timothy, Fr Bill’s life was “poured out as a libation… He fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith”. Now he has gone to receive the “crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge” has in store for him. It is appropriate that we, who are still fighting the good fight and have not yet finished the race, should remember some of the key moments in Fr Bill’s long and fruitful life of service to mission.

Bill was born on 17 June 1926 in High Street, Sligo. He was the second son in a family of six – four boys and two girls – of William Kennedy and Patricia Downes. A younger brother, Frank, died in childhood. Fr Bill is survived by his sisters Angela and Patricia and two brothers, Des and John.

When he completed Secondary School, Bill decided he wanted to become an SMA missionary priest like his uncle, Fr Jack, who was ordained in 1932 and ministered in Liberia until his untimely death in 1950 at the age of 48. When he was home on holidays from Liberia, Fr Jack used to visit Bill’s family in Dublin and it was to him that Bill expressed his wish to become an SMA priest. Fr Jack then mentioned this to his Bishop, John Collins, (a famous SMA missionary in Liberia) who took Bill out for tea in Barry’s Hotel in Dublin. In 1946, Bill entered the SMA Novitiate in Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway, where he also completed his Philosophy Studies. He took his First oath of membership in the Society in on 29 June 1948 and from there went to the African Missions Major seminary at Dromantine, Newry, Co Down where he completed his theological studies in 1952. After taking his oath of SMA Permanent membership [11 June 1951] he was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Colman, Newry, by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty on 18 June 1952. He was one of a class of twelve ordained that day.

Following his ordination Fr Bill was appointed to the diocese of Benin City, MidWest Nigeria and served in that diocese for 21 years under the inspiring leadership of the legendary Bishop Kelly, a man whom Bill greatly admired for his spirit of prayer, simplicity of life, kindness, and missionary zeal – qualities Bill stove to emulate in his priestly life and ministry. On the occasion of his Golden Jubilee in 2002, Bill stated that Bishop Kelly was the single most important influence on him as a priest. Fr Bill worked in both the teaching and pastoral ministries and made a major contribution- particularly in the field of education – to the development of the Church in that Region in what was an era of remarkable growth

Some of the years Fr Bill ministered in Nigeria coincided with a terrible civil war (1967-‘70). He was Parish Priest in Ubiaja at the time and he not only remained with his parishioners but demonstrated considerable courage on more than one occasion. In his book, Kindling the Fire [2003], Fr James Higgins SMA, recalls an event which illustrates Bill’s courage. Six girls from northern Nigeria who were staying in a College near his mission, were taken by rebel soldiers to their Army base, 14 miles away. When Fr Bill heard of this he immediately got into his pick-up truck, drove to the army base, and demanded the release of the girls. The soldiers were reluctant to hand them over but Bill did not back down. He insisted that he would have to remain with the girls as they were placed under his protection. Finally, the soldiers relented and Bill was able to bring the girls back to their College School in Ubiaja, safe and sound. Looking back over 50 years of priesthood Bill recalled the time spent ‘in the war zone’ in Ibusa and Asaba (1969-’70) as the time that gave him greatest satisfaction as a priest. Being needed and wanted and in a position to bring both material assistance and spiritual comfort to the people was a humbling and truly blessed experience, he said.

From 1973 – ’83 Fr Bill was part of a missionary team helping a newly appointed Nigerian bishop, Rt Rev Anthony Gbuji, establish the fledgling diocese of Issele-Uku. Before his eventual return to Ireland, Bill worked for a brief period in the parish of St Theresa’s, Ifako, in the Archdiocese of Lagos. When he returned to Ireland in 1984, he took up a pastoral assignment in the Archdiocese of Dublin, in the parish of Finglas West, and ministered there until 1993. The present Superior General of the Society, Fr Fachtna O’Driscoll, recalls happy memories of collaborating with Bill on faith empowerment programmes for the parishioners in Finglas West. From 1993 to 1997 he was Assistant Priest in St Joseph’s parish, Wilton and carried out his duties with diligence and commendable good grace in spite of a significant hearing disability. For the past seventeen year Bill lived in contented retirement in SMA House, Wilton, enjoying reasonably good health for most of that time.

Bill’s health deteriorated and led him, early this year, to take up residence in St Theresa’s Nursing Unit, African Missions, Blackrock Road. For the few months he was there he settled easily into the community and appreciated the excellent care of the nursing staff and carers. In his final moments on this earth, Bill was surrounded by his confreres and members of his family. Two days ago the Lord called him home. He had lived a full and fruitful life. Bill never let his mind grow stale. He was an avid reader, alive to the wonder of the world around him and open to new ideas in Philosophy, Science and Theology. I remember a fascinating conversation I had with him in 1974, when I was a young priest at SMA House, Maynooth, and Bill was engaged in a Sabbatical programme, about the views of the famous French Jesuit Philosopher and Paleontologist, Teilhard de Chardin. He would have concurred with the famous saying of the Greek Philosopher, Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living”.

As he goes to meet his Maker, he can surely echo these sentiments of the poet, Mary Oliver, taken from her poem, “When Death Comes”:

When it’s over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was a bridegroom, taking the world in my arms.
When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
If I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened
Or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited the world.

Bill certainly made something particular of his life. By the grace of God, he was privileged to have been part of what Pope John Paul II has referred to as “the historical drama of charity, heroism and sacrifice that has made the African Church the vibrant, fast growing plant it is today”.

May the Lord grant him the reward of a true and faithful servant.

Obituary of Fr Kennedy                              Fr Kennedy goes to his eternal reward                            Funeral rites for Fr Kennedy

Known within the SMA as Fr Bill he was born on 17 June 1926 in High Street, Sligo, son of William and Patricia [née Downes] Kennedy. Both parents were from Dublin but work necessitated their living in Sligo for some years. He was the second born of six children. A younger brother, Frank, died in childhood. Fr Bill is survived by his sisters Angela and Patricia [Spillane] and two brothers Des and John. An uncle, Fr John Kennedy, was an SMA priest who ministered in Liberia and died, aged 48 years, in 1950. When Bill told his uncle he was thinking of being a missionary his uncle took him to lunch with Bishop Collins of Liberia at the famous Barry’s Hotel in Dublin!

He was baptised and confirmed in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo. Bill attended the Mercy Sisters Line School [1930-1933] and the Marist Brothers [1933-1938] for his primary education. In 1938 the family moved from Sligo to live on Skreen Road, Dublin, where he completed secondary education [1939-1945] at St Vincent’s CBS, Glasnevin. Spaking of his years in CBS he said that a Mr McBrearty “gave me a love for good literature.”

The year after completing his Leaving Certificate exams, Bill began his Novitiate and Philosophy studies with the SMA in Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway. He took his First oath of membership in the Society in on 29 June 1948 and then transferred to the African Missions Major seminary at Dromantine, Newry, Co Down where he completed his theological studies in 1952.

1952 Ordination class with Fr Bill seated, second from the left.

After taking his oath of SMA Permanent membership [11 June 1951] he was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Colman, Newry by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty on 18 June 1952, one of a class of  ten ordained that day. He celebrated his First Mass on 19 June 1952 in the Church of Our Lady, Help of Christians, Navan Road, Dublin.

Along with a classmate, Fr Eugene Casey [RIP], he was appointed to the then diocese of Benin City, Nigeria. He served there for 21 years. His first two years were spent on the staff of St Paul’s Major seminary in Benin City before moving to fulltime parish work in Sapele. In 1959 he was transferred to Asaba and, among other things, built a primary school in Oko-Anala, an almost inaccessible station on the banks of the Niger River. During his years in Nigeria he built three schools in different places where he ministered.

During part of the Nigerian Civil War [1967 – 1970] Fr Bill was Parish Priest in Ubiaja and acted with considerable courage during those difficult years. In his book, Kindling the Fire [2003], Fr James Higgins SMA recalls different incidents which demonstrated this. One such event happened right at the end of this terrible chapter in Nigeria’s history. Fr Higgins was living with Fr Bill at the time. A totally innocent man had been discovered by the Federal soldiers hiding in the Church compound. They decided he should be executed as an enemy combatant. Fr Bill intervened asking mercy for him. Unable to get the soldiers to release this totally innocent man, Fr Bill insisted on giving him conditional absolution. This annoyed the soldiers so much that they put both Fr Bill and Fr Higgins under ‘compound arrest’ for some days and only released them from it when they evacuated the area.

Photo of the Marian Year Committee meeting, held in Benin City in 1954.
Front row: Fr Eugene Casey SMA, Bishops Owen McCoy, MAfr. [Oyo diocese], John Reddington SMA [Jos], Patrick J Kelly SMA [Benin City], Msgr Richard Finn SMA [Ibadan] and Fr Edward Coleman.
Back row: Fathers Bill Kennedy SMA, Robert O’Regan SMA, Michael Foley SMA, Nadeau OP, Msgr Joseph Erameh, Matthew Welsh, William Field [later Bishop of Ondo], John Lynott, Cornelius O’Driscoll, William Power, James Healy, William Breslin and Patrick Ekpu [later to succeed Bishop Kelly as Bishop, and later Archbishop, of Benin City].

In December 1961 he was asked to help train the newly-ordained SMA priests who had arrived from Ireland. He also served as Parish Priest of Uromi [August 1963 – December 1964] and in Ewatto as the first resident priest there.

After twenty years in Benin City Fr Bill transferred to help with the development of the recently-created diocese of Issele-Uku under the leadership of Bishop Anthony Gbuji. He served in the Cathedral parish in Issele-Uku, in Ibusa [1976-1982] and then in Agbor-Obi before ill health made it increasingly clear his health was failing. However, before leaving for the last time Fr Bill spent some months in 1984 ministering in St Theresa’s parish, Ifako, Lagos before leaving Nigeria definitively.

Speaking of his years in Nigeria he said that the greatest joy he had was, during the Civil War period, “I was able to bring both material [food] and spiritual help to people. A frightening time but fruitful in being needed and able to really help.”

Seven of the original ten celebrated their Silver Jubilee in Blackrock Road in 1977. Two remain of the 1952 class – Fathers Leo Silke and Jim O’Hea, 1st and 3rd from left in our photo. Fr Bill is in the centre.

On his return to Ireland in 1985 Fr Bill served as Curate in the Parish of the Annunciation, Finglas West in the Archdiocese of Dublin. In 1993, increasing deafness caused him to leave fulltime parish ministry and he took on the role of Assistant priest in St Joseph’s SMA Parish, Wilton, Cork for four years. As it proved more and more difficult for Fr Bill to work in fulltime ministry he retired to the SMA community in Wilton where he lived in active retirement until this February when increasing frailty caused him to move across the city to the SMA House on Blackrock Road where he died peacefully this morning.

Fr Bill is deeply regretted by his sisters and brothers, his sister-in-law Rosemary, nephews and nieces, other relatives, friends and his confreres in the Society of African Missions. May he rest in peace.

Homily at the funeral Mass                         Funeral rites for Fr Kennedy                         Fr Kennedy goes to his eternal rest

Fr John Casey passed to his eternal reward at 8.45pm on Monday, 2 March 2015, at St Theresa’s Nursing Unit, African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. He was 84 years of age. Fr Seán Lynch SMA and his niece, Mary, were with him when he died.

John [known to most as Jack] Casey was born on 11 February 1931 in Cork City, second son of Andrew and Julia [née Carroll] Casey. His brother, Bill, and sister Bina [Coughlan] survive him. The family’s original home was on the Commons Road though they later moved to Ballyhooley Road, Dillons Cross.

He was baptised two days after his birth and was confirmed in 1942. Fr Jack received his primary education at the Model School, Cork (1936-1941) and the North Monastery (1941-1943) and continued on there for his secondary education (1943-1949). He then studied at UCC and graduated in 1952 with B.Sc (Hons).

The 1958 Ordination class, with Fr Jack sitting 2nd from the left.

During his secondary schooling and at UCC he was a renowned chess player and was runner-up in the Irish Senior Chess Championships on four occasions as well as winning numerous rewards at local and national level in lower grades.

In September 1952 Jack began a two-year Philosophy programme with the Society of African Missions in Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway. With the decision to introduce a Spiritual Year programme for SMA seminarians, he did his second year of Philosophy at the African Missions Major seminary in Dromantine, followed by theology studies [1954 – 1958].

Jack became an SMA permanent member on 12 June 1957 and he was ordained a Deacon on 15 September 1957. Along with eleven classmates he was ordained to the priesthood on 18 June 1958 by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty in the Cathedral of St Colman and St Patrick, Newry, Co Down.

The newly-ordained Fr Casey celebrated his First Mass at Blackpool Church on 19 June 1958 when he was assisted by the late Fr Murphy O’Connor PP.

He was appointed to the diocese of Benin City, Nigeria which was led by Bishop Patrick J Kelly SMA. He served there from October 1958 – August 1962 during which he taught at Ishan Grammar School, Uromi and St Peter’s Claver’s College, Aghalokpe. He then went to teach at Notre Dame College, Ozoro until 1964. He then returned to Benin City diocese where he served until May 1969, during which he served on the teaching staff of the Immaculate Conception College [ICC], Benin City and Annunciation College, Irrua. For some of these years, Fr Jack was the Chaplain to the then Military Governor of the Mid-West, David Ejoor.

Three longtime missionaries in Benin City: Fathers Richard Wall, Mattie O’Connell and Jack Casey.

He was recalled to Ireland to teach at the SMA College, Ballinafad, Co Mayo [1969 – 1970] whose students remember him as a gentle and kind priest, and an excellent teacher. He did his H Dip in Education in UCG, teaching and living at St Mary’s College, Galway.

Unable to get a Visa in June 1971 [partly due to difficulties with the Nigerian government because of the involvement of some missionaries in the Biafran Civil War], he studied French [in Dublin and Lyons, France] before returning to Benin City in January 1973 where he joined the teaching staff at St Patrick’s College, Asaba. When the diocese of Issele-Uku was created Fr Jack continued to teach in St Patrick’s as well as taking the added responsibility of Parish Priest of St Patrick’s [1983 – 1986].

In 1983, Fr Jack was elected by his confreres to be Society Superior in Issele-Uku.

He took a Sabbatical year [1978 – 1979], earning a Diploma in Religious Studies from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. In 1986, Fr Jack transferred from the MidWest of Nigeria to western Nigeria, to the diocese of Ibadan, where he worked in three city parishes: Loyola, Christ the King and St Leo’s, Challenge.

He is pictured at the SMA Regional House in Ibadan with Fr Tim Cullinane SMA.

In September 1993 Fr Jack returned to Issele-Uku diocese, to St Patrick’s SMA parish, Cable Point, Asaba. The following year he ‘returned’ to his original diocese, Benin City. He took over as Guestmaster of the SMA House in Uromi where he is remembered as an excellent host.

During his years in Africa, Fr Jack was part of the great development of schools, clinics, churches etc throughout the original diocese of Benin City. Several dioceses have been carved out of that original jurisdiction and he served in two of them: Warri and Issele-Uku. Bomadi Vicariate was created from Warri in 1996. After his departure the dioceses of Auchi and Uromi were created in the area where Fr Jack ministered.

One of the earliest photos of Fr Jack – at the Episcopal Ordination of Rt Rev Lucas Nwaezeapu as first bishop of Warri, 1964.

He officially retired in August 2000 to the SMA House on Blackrock Road. He moved into St Theresa’s Nursing Unit in October 2009.

May he rest in peace.

At the conclusion of the 2014 Service of Light, Fr Dan O’Brien read a prayer used at the Marymount Hospice, Cork, entitled We Remember Them.

The service concluded with the hymn, The Lord’s my shepherd.

Ten priests, an Honorary member and ten relatives of our priests and lay staff were remembered during the annual Service of Light in Blackrock Road on Wednesday, 10 December. The Community Leader, Fr Eddie O’Connor, led the Service. After an Opening Prayer and reading from the Gospel of St Matthew [11:28-30 – Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened.. ], a candle was lit in memory of each one and a community member spoke about each of the deceased SMA priests and Honorary member.

Fr Dan Murphy, died 19 October, aged 82, was remembered by Fr Michael McCabe.

Fr Tony Butler, died 16 October, aged 73, was remembered by Fr Gerry Murray.

“On the morning of Tony’s funeral the family arranged a number of photographs around his coffin, each depicting an event in his life. But there was no need.
For the congregation in the church that morning spoke volumes about his life and how he interacted with people – rich and poor, learned and struggling, young and old.
The ‘Echo’ newspaper spoke of the laughter he brought to the city of Cork. I am sure Tony that the heavenly city has enjoyed your arrival.”

Fr Thomas Furlong, died 6 October, aged 90, was remembered by Fr Denis Collins.

Fr Sexton Doran, died 9 September, aged 81, was remembered by Fr Michael Igoe.

Speaking of Fr Bill Foley who died 30 July, aged 78, Fr Martin Kavanagh spoke of his great intelligence and ability, and the many posts of responsibilities he discharged with remarkable efficiency and kindness. His stroke limited his capacity to engage in the many different activities he liked to but he was a compassionate listener and many found him a wise and gentle counsellor. “My abiding memory of him will be of his welcome and hospitality to all. I have no doubt he recieved a great Céad Míle Fáilte in heaven last 30 July.”

Fr Michael McEgan, died 18 June, aged 80, was remembered by Fr Tommy Wade.

Fr Martin J Walsh, died 29 July, aged 86, was remembered by Fr Hugh Harkin.

Fr Seán Hayes, died 15 July, aged 78, was remembered by FrJohn Flynn.

Fr Liam O’Callaghan, died 5 April, aged 95, was remembered by Bishop Tim Carroll.

Fr Seán Ryan, died 22 February, aged , was remembered by Fr Malachy Flanagan.

During the Service, Fr O’Connor read out the ten names of relatives who died during 2014. A candle in their memory was lit by Nurse Siobhán Humphreys.

Fr Michael Brady, remembering Miss Beta Feeley who died on 10 October, aged 92, said that Beta was “a determined woman, well able to express herself and liked to have her way when she felt she was right. Everything she did was for the Missions, the poor in Africa. A woman who loved the better things of life giving everything to the poor. Beta was unique, enquiring, questioning and loyal.”

Fr Dan O’Brien brought the Service to a conclusion reading a Prayer prepared by the Marymount Hospice team: We Remember Them. It reads in part:

At the rising of the sun and at its setting, we remember them. …
At the beginning of the year and at its end, we remember them. …
When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them.

Read full Prayer here.

Miss Bridget [Beta] Feeley, an SMA Honorary member, died peacefully on Friday afternoon, 10 October 2014, at the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit at the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork where she was living in retirement since November 2011.

Bridget Feeley was the third in a family of three, born on 7 February 1922 in Cork. Her two brothers, Michael and John, both became priests: Michael was an SMA in the American Province [ordained in 1941] and John a member of the clergy of Southwark diocese, England. 

The family also had four cousins in religious life: Sr Clare Feeley (Sisters of St John of God, Kilkenny), Mother Mary Feeley (Poor Clares, England), Fr Joseph Feeley (RIP, Manchester) and Fr Dennis Kehilly (RIP, Cork).

Beta attended St Louis Convent, Monaghan and did third-level studies at Sion Hill in Dublin. Her entire working life was as a Home Economics teacher in what was then the Vocational School in Midleton, not far from her home in Glounthaune, Co Cork. Beta “had wonderful hands” according to several of her close friends, some of whom were with her when she died.

Beta was gifted as a teacher, cook and seamstress. Her attention to detail was part of her right to the end. As a teacher she travelled several times to England to attend courses in ‘icing’ – not the mere icing of cakes but learning how to make delicate iced pieces, e.g. butterflies, to decorate a particular cake she was planning for some event or other. Her Patchwork Quilts were intricately-made and treasured by those who received them.

If cooking was one of her talents, there is absolutely no doubt that her beloved dogs were her pride and joy, the centre of her life. When asked why she never had a cold her reply was that if you have dogs in your house you’ll never catch a cold! An interesting theory.

Beta retired from teaching in the late 1980’s and lived happily in Glounthaune where her neighbours were treasured friends, though at times Beta could test them with her strong opinions. Coming from a strong Catholic family the ‘missions‘ were very dear to her and, at Christmas time, she would gather money to support different missionary causes, including the purchase of animals for African families. With a brother in the SMA she was also very supportive of our missionaries in different African countries. As a result, in July 1992, she was admitted to Honorary membership in the Society of African Missions. This was a source of great joy to her as her brother, Fr John, was also admitted.

She is seen here with Fr Joe Maguire SMA, also living in active retirement in Blackrock Road. 

In her latter years her health concerns increased and, in November 2011, she came to live in the SMA community at Blackrock Road, Cork where she got involved in the different community exercises. Up to the day before her death she was present at the daily community Mass and going to the community dining room for her meals. Each evening she would keep up to date with the TV news and chat with the priests about the events of the day.

Beta will be laid to rest in the SMA community cemetery in Wilton, Cork, alongside her two brothers. May they all rest in peace.

Fr Thomas Sexton Doran SMA died peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, 9 September 2014 at the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit of the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. Members of his family, SMA confreres and nursing staff were at his bedside when he died. He was 81 years of age.

Sexton was the sixth child born to John and Susan (née Cahill) Doran on 8 June 1933 of Tanaghmore Road, Ballynahinch, Co Down in the parish of Loughinisland [Down & Connor diocese]. He was baptised two days later in St Macartan’s Church where he also made his Confirmation on 28 May 1942.

After completing his Primary education at the local National School he did his secondary schooling at St Patrick’s high School, Downpatrick. Coming from a farming background Secky, as he was better known by most, wanted to study to be a Vet. But due to an exam results delay etc Secky began studying Pharmacy. However, not finding Pharmacy to his liking he returned, after two years, to work at home with his father on the farm. It was during these years that he considered the idea of missionary priesthood as his vocation in life.

Two of his uncles were priests – Canon Dennis Cahill of Down & Connor diocese and Fr Sexton Cahill SMA, after whom he was named. It was a happy coincidence that last Thursday, six days before his death, Fr Secky concelebrated Mass in the SMA community chapel in Blackrock Road for the 72nd anniversary of his uncle’s death in Warri, Nigeria at the age of 35 years. Secky consulted a greatly-respected local priest, Dr Duff, who encouraged the young man to chat to Fr Dennis Cahill about it, not knowing that Sexton was a nephew of the same priest. No doubt he was also influenced by the fact that his three sisters had ‘taken the veil’: his sister Mary entered the Sisters of Charity of St Vincent dePaul and is presently stationed in Dublin; his two other sisters, Marie and Margaret, joined the Missionary Sisters of the Assumption, who had a convent in nearby Ballynahinch. Both are missionaries in South Africa.

And so in September 1957 the 24 year-old Sexton Doran entered the SMA Novitiate at Kilcolgan, Co Galway, becoming a temporary member of the Society on 25 June 1958, the ninety-ninth anniversary of the death of the SMA Founder, Bishop deBrésillac, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

From September 1958 to June 1964 he completed his Philosophy and Theology studies at the Arican Missions Major seminary at Dromantine, Newry, Co Down. He became a Permanent SMA member on 12 June 1963 and was ordained to the priesthood in the Catheral of Saints Partrick and Colman by Bishop Eusebius Crawford OP on 18 December 1963, one of 10 ordained on that day. Bishop Crawford was a bishop in the Solomon Islands and was home on a break from the Second Vatican Council at the time. A cousin, Fr Sexton Cahill was also ordained for the SMA and followed Secky to Nigeria in 1966.

He was appointed to Benin City diocese, Nigeria [1964-1968], with two classmates – Frs Gerry Sweeney and Jim Tobin. During his Tyro [a period of learning about the local culture and its language] the three of them received a message from Bishop Patrick J Kelly instructing them to go to a particular place in Agbor and baptise a sick old lady the bishop had seen. The three young men set off and reached the place indicated by the bishop. However, they met not one, but six old and sick women. Wanting to have a positive report for the bishop they instructed and baptised all six!

After the Tyro Secky was appointed to assist Fr Hugh Conlon in Uzairue, a very large parish in the Afenmi area of the diocese, which had dozens of outstations. In his book, Kindling the fire, Fr James Higgins wrote: “Sexton got plenty of opportunities to exercise his obvious evangelising passion and received every encouragement from Hugh.” [page 111]. In 1966 he was curate to Fr Bill Kennedy in Ubiaja where he was involved in the confirmation of 1,200 teenagers and adults from the parish, which had many outstations. He later transferred to Ekpoma where he endured some harrowing experiences during the Nigerian Civil War [1966-1970], especially when the Mission House came under direct fire from the Federal troops who were chasing the retreating rebel [Biafran] forces through the area. Thankfully all survived the event. He delayed his home leave as his sister, Sr Marie, was in the eastern part of Nigeria and he was unable to make contact with her due to the ongoing war.

In 1968 he received a letter from the Irish Provincial Superior, Fr Laurence Carr, recalling him to Ireland in 1968 “for a long overdue leave” and then “to take charge of Promotion work in Northern Ireland“, based in Dromantine. Fr Secky took over as Vocations Director and recruited many for the Society. But Fr Secky’s heart was always in Africa and, in 1972, he asked to return there. However, due to difficulties in getting Visas for missionaries following the Nigerian Civil War, he was instead appointed Superior in Dromantine. He served in that position for one year until he was asked to lead a group of seven priests in a new departure for the Irish SMA – to establish a missionary presence in Ndola diocese, Zambia.

With Fr Michael Igoe SMA, also a veteran of the Nigerian mission, they arrived in Zambia on 16 January 1973. The remaining five were to follow, once Work permits and Visas had been sorted out for them. The ‘founding fathers’ of the SMA presence in Zambia travelled to Francisdale Mission, on the outskirts of Ndola, to begin this new chapter in the life of the Irish Province. Fr Sexton was to remain for 37 years in Ndola diocese until his return to Ireland in 2010.

From 1973-1979 Fr Secky served in Francisdale [1973-1979] and then in Kansuswa parish, Mufulira [1979-1982]. In 1982, Bishop deJong asked him to live in the Cathedral House, from where he looked after Twapia and Dola Hill parish [1982-1990]. The following twelve years were spent in Luanshya [1990-2002]. In January 2003 he took up his last appointment at St Mary’s, Kamuchanga in Mufulira.

Secky had many additional responsibilities during his years in Zambia – Team Leader for the first five years; established various chaplaincies to different schools and Colleges; one of a three-man team set up to help the establishment of a Zambian branch of the SMA; Vocations Director in Zambia;  elected a Delegate to the 1978 SMA Provincial Assembly in Ireland.

On a diocesan level he was Chairman of the Priests Council and Vicar General to Bishop deJong [1980-1990]. He was noted for his care and attention of the diocesan clergy, particularly those who were ill or had other difficulties, often caring for some of them in his mission at Luanshya. Also during his years in Luanshya, convinced of the need for proper education, he was Chaplain to several Third-level Colleges, seeing it as a means to ensure that the students received a proper grounding in their faith.

In December 2009, Fr Sexton and Fr Gustave Mukosha were the victims of an armed robbery during which both were injured. After some time recovering in Zambia Fr Sexton was forced to return to Ireland, his long illustrious missionary in Africa at an end. But his heart remained there and during his four years in Blackrock Road he kept in touch with happenings in Zambia and the different SMA’s – Irish and Zambian – who still toiled there.

The people and clergy of Ndola diocese will gather on Saturday, 13 September, at the Cathedral in Ndola to celebrate a Mass for a beloved priest, missionary and friend. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

The SMA Provincial Leader, Fr Michael McCabe, led one of the largest gathering of SMA priests for many years as they, along with diocesan and other clergy, concelebrated the funeral Mass for the late Fr Bill Foley SMA who died last Wednesday morning, 30 July 2014.

The principal concelebrants were, from right, the SMA Superior General, Fr Fachtna O’Driscoll, school and classmate, Fr John Quinlan SMA, Fr McCabe, Fr Eamonn Finnegan SMA [who was encouraged to study for the priesthood by Fr Bill and is presently the Leader of the Claregalway community] and Fr Finbarr Crowley [PP of Innisshannon and a close friend of Fr Bill for many years].

Fr Michael preached the following homily.

“We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus; God will bring them with him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

These words from the second reading today assure us that all those who have died in Jesus will also share in his resurrection. Fr Bill had no fear of death because he knew he was returning to the One to whom he had already given his entire life. As we acknowledge the loss of our dear brother and friend, we thank God for the many ways in which his life has blessed and enriched us, and affirm our faith that he is now sharing in that fullness of eternal life and joy, promised by Christ to all who believe in him.

Bill Foley was born in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, on 13 October 1935, the third of four sons born to William Foley and Bridget Stack. He received both his primary and secondary education at the CBS Tralee, where he and Fr John Quinlan SMA were classmates.

Fr Fergus Tuohy leads the entry procession with Frs Brendan Dunning, James Clesham, Jim O’Kane and Bishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA of Killaloe diocese following.

He spent a short time in the Civil Service in Dublin and Dundalk before deciding to become a missionary priest. In September 1954, along with 48 others, he entered the Novitiate of the African Missions, in Cloughballymore, taking his first temporary oath of membership of the SMA on the 26^th June 1955. He continued his preparation for priesthood at the Major seminary of the African Missions, Dromantine, Newry, Co Down and became a permanent member of the Society on the 14^th of June 1960. Along with 22 of his classmates, he was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Colman, Newry, by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty. Another classmate who is here with us today, Oscar Welsh, was ordained the six months later.

Following Ordination, the then Provincial Superior, Fr Creaven, sent Fr Bill to study Canon Law at the Gregorian University in Rome where he graduated with a Licentiate Degree in 1963. His first mission appointment was to the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria, where he worked with Fr Michael McLoughlin in Ijebu-Igbo. The Archbishop of Lagos at the time, Leo Taylor, recognising Fr Bill as a young priest of exceptional ability, soon appointed him Manager of Schools for the Archdiocese. Remember, he was then barely 30 years old! When Archbishop Taylor died it was Fr Bill Foley who was called upon to be part of the Organising Committee and act as MC for the funeral ceremonies.

Fr Bill was one of the leading figures of the SMA in the Post-Vatican II era. A big hearted generous extrovert with a keen practical intelligence and exceptional organisational skills, he was a natural leader. Little wonder, then, that very early on in his missionary life he was given key leadership roles in the Province – roles he would assume throughout his life. At the age of 32 he was appointed Superior of the Major seminary at Dromantine. In the heady atmosphere of the years following Vatican II this was not an easy time to be Superior of a Seminary and Fr Bill strove to steer a middle course between the students’ clamour for greater freedom and the need for order and responsibility.

When the students were transferred to Maynooth in 1972, he was appointed the first Rector of the new SMA Formation House there. Just one year later, Fr Bill was elected to the Provincial Council where he was responsible mainly for Promotion and Property. He was re-elected in 1978 and served as Vice Provincial Superior to Fr Con Murphy until 1983. From 1983 to 1990 he was again appointed Superior of Dromantine, where he devoted his talents to strengthening the promotion of SMA mission and to carrying out necessary repairs on the House. While there, he also served as a Judge on the Marriage Tribunal of Armagh Archdiocese. On hearing of his death, the Bishop of Dromore, John McAreavey, paid tribute to Fr Bill’s contribution to that tribunal, stating that “he was an excellent judge who brought good judgement, common sense and a sense of fun to everything”.

Though Fr Bill’s ministry was, for the most part, a ministry of leadership on the home front, Africa and its people were never far from his thoughts and always in his heart. His often expressed wish to return to Africa was granted in 1990 and he returned to Lagos, Nigeria, where he served for four years, first in St Agnes’ Church, Maryland, and then in St Sabina’s, Idi-Mangoro. Then, in 1994, the SMA Superior General at the time, Fr Patrick J Harrington, asked him to help out on the Staff of SMA house in Nairobi. He was there for only one year but made a lasting impression on everyone he met. In 1995 he returned to be Superior of the SMA House in Wilton and, seven years later, in 2002, following a debilitating stroke which left him partly incapacitated, he had no choice but to retire.

For over three decades following the Second Vatican Council, Fr Bill took part in several General and Provincial Assemblies and served on numerous Commissions, dealing with a wider range of issues: property, Church law, Formation, Mission research, retirement. His clarity of thought and ability to present his views logically and coherently, made him an invaluable resource person not only for the Irish Province but for entire Society. While strong and forceful in debate, it was not in his nature to bear grudges or be resentful of those who disagreed with him.

He was a member of the 1983 International Commission for the SMA Constitutions and Laws, and he played a key role, not only in drafting the new SMA Constitutions and Laws but in also facilitating its approval at the 1989 General Assembly — the first General Assembly which I had the privilege to attend. On hearing of his death, the former SMA Superior General, Fr Joseph Hardy, who worked together with Fr Bill on that Commission and during many General Assemblies paid tribute to his contribution to the International SMA in these words: “The last time I met him in 2009 he was still full of humour and happy to remind me of our collaboration during the post Vatican II SMA General Assemblies and the writing of our new Constitutions. Bill was a true SMA man, a devoted missionary to Africa, a clever administrator, fair to the job and to his friends. God knows his faithful servants and welcomes Bill to His table. He will now be singing for ever in the joy of his Lord.”

Indeed, Fr Bill was a loyal and faithful SMA to the core of his being. The promotion of SMA and its mission to Africans was his all consuming passion. He truly embodied and lived that special missionary vocation, which, to quote the words of Saint John Paul II, is manifested in “a total commitment to evangelization, a commitment which involves the missionary’s whole person and life, and demands a self-giving without limits of energy or time.” These words might give the impression the Fr Bill was so committed to the mission of the Society that he had no time for fun and laughter, but this was not the case. He was, as I’ve said already, an outgoing, hospitable and sociable person who enjoyed good company he could always be relied on to sing a song or two or more… whenever there was a party – and there were many occasions for parties in his life. One young man said on hearing of his death: “my abiding memory of him, aside, obviously, from the pipe, will be of laughter and joy.”

Following his debilitating stroke in 2001 and retirement at SMA House, Wilton, Fr Bill bore his disability with great fortitude and resignation. And he remained active in many ways even if he could not move about as easily as before. He remained a valued member of the Board of Management of Tabor Lodge and maintained a huge correspondence with friends and SMA supporters, by post and phone. Big hearted and generous as always, he continued to support many of his SMA confreres in Africa, the projects of several congregations of sisters, as well as many other people who sought or needed his help.

His family was the other great interest of his life. He was involved as much as possible in the different family events down the years. He never lost touch with his roots in Kerry. There’s a telling photo of him from his time in Kenya sharing some news item of the Kerryman with his new Maasai friends. Fr Bill inspired all who worked with him. If you met him once you could never forget him.

He would have said of himself that he was a man of simple faith – though indeed such faith is never something we can take for granted. Yes, it is a gift, but a gift that has to be expressed in action, and it was faith-in-action, the action of constant loving outreach and service of others that marked the life of Fr Bill to an extraordinary degree. We shall not see his likes again.

As we mourn the loss of a great SMA missionary priest, whose life and example has touched and inspired the hearts of so many people, we pray that the Lord he served so well will grant him the fullness of eternal life and joy in Heaven.

Eternal rest grant unto Fr Bill, O Lord. Amen.

Obituary of Fr Bill Foley         Report of the funeral ceremonies

The SMA Provincial Leader, Fr Michael McCabe, was the Principal Celebrant at the Funeral Mass for Fr Michael McEgan who died on Wednesday, 18 June 2014. The Principal Concelebrants were four of Fr Michael’s classmates: Bill Foley, Hugh Harkin, John Quinlan and Andy O’Sullivan.

The Readings for the Mass were Isaiah 25:6-9; Philippians 3:2-21 and John 14:1-7. After the Gospel Fr McCabe preached the following homily.

“I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too.”

Just three days ago, on June 18, the One who made that promise, returned for Fr Michael to bring him to his Father’s house: the house with many rooms, as the Gospel we have just heard reminds us. Michael was a kind and gentle pastor with the heart of gold. Pope Francis has frequently called on priests to be “true pastors constantly reaching out in love to the people they are called to serve”. What the Church needs, he insists, is “not ambitious ladder-climbers but humble and faithful sowers of the truth”; pastors capable, by their presence and the witness of their lives, of “enchanting the world with the beauty of love and seducing it with the free gift of the Gospel.”

Michael was a missionary priest who enchanted many people by his gentle presence and the witness of a life totally dedicated to living and proclaiming the free gift of the Gospel. Let us recall briefly some of the key moments of his life.

Born in Ballyheigue, Co Kerry, on 1 April 1934, Michael was the fourth in a family of seven children of Michael and Mary Ann (née O’Connor) McEgan. The McEgan family were staunch Catholics and Michael received a firm grounding in the Catholic faith from his earliest years. With three aunts and a sister in Religious Life, and also a grandaunt in the OLA sisters, it was not surprising that, following his primary and secondary education, at the age of 19 years, he decided to become a missionary priest. In 1953, he entered the SMA Spiritual Year programme at Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway, and took his First Oath of membership in the Society on 26 June 1954.

From Cloughballymore, Michael was sent for studies to Cork University College and, in 1957, was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin and Philosophy. From Cork he moved on to the seminary of the African Missions in Dromantine, Newry, where he undertook his theological studies and further training for Priesthood. He became a permanent member of the Society on 14 June 1960 and was ordained a priest by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Colman on 21 December 1960.

Our picture shows three of his classmates, from left, Frs Bill Foley, John Quinlan and Hugh Harkin. On right is Fr Andy O’Sullivan who worked with Fr Michael in Ondo diocese.

Following Ordination, Fr Michael was appointed to Ondo diocese where he served from 1961 until ill health forced him to return to Ireland in 1988. His first appointment was to the teaching staff of Annunciation College, Ikere-Ekiti, where Fr Sean MacCarthy SMA was the founding Principal. However, most of his active life was devoted to parish ministry, in Ondo and Cork & Ross dioceses.

During his 27 years in Ondo diocese Fr Michael worked in two parishes in Ondo Town. He also served in parishes in Oka, Owo, Ikare-Akoko and Sobe. While in Sacred Heart Church, Sobe (1984 – 1988) Fr Michael was noted for his care and concern for everyone, especially Ghanian immigrants who were, at that time, threatened with repatriation.

The first African member of the SMA General Council, Fr Paul Ennin, was an Altar server in Sobe when Fr Michael was ministering there and he explicitly acknowledges the influence of Fr Michael on his decision to become an SMA priest in 1989. It is surely a remarkable testament to the impact of this quiet and unassuming missionary that four of Fr Michael’s Altar servers are now priests. On hearing of Fr Michael’s death, Fr Ennin paid the following tribute to him: “Fr Michael was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin and the Rosary; he loved to visit families and parishioners, especially the sick! We will continue to pray for him.”

In 1988, ill health forced Fr Michael to leave Nigeria and return to Ireland. After a period for recuperation, he was appointed to Ballyroe parish, Courtmacsherry, in the diocese of Cork and Ross. During the three years he ministered in that parish, Fr Michael endeared himself to the people, young and old, by the exemplary quality of his life and loving service of the people. Following his transfer from Ballyroe parish to Blackrock Road – again due to failing health – one of the parishioners paid the following tribute to Fr Michael in a letter to the then Provincial Superior: “His coming to Courtmacsherry was an answer to prayer, and the hand of God was in his appointment. His sincerity and prayerfulness touched us all… He constantly visited people in their homes, and knew everybody from the youngest child to the oldest in the house… He was very familiar, too, with our non-Catholic friends and visited them in their homes also – something which I know they very much appreciated… He constantly encouraged us to ‘Put God first in our lives’ – as he did himself”.

Fr Michael took a particular interest also in the youth of the parish and, with his guidance and encouragement, a Foroige youth club was formed and went from strength to strength, winning a national award the week before he left the parish.

From 1991 until 2007, Fr Michael served in St Joseph’s SMA parish, Blackrock Road, first as Curate and later, as increasingly poor health limited his physical abilities, as Parish Assistant. While serving there he continued to visit the people of the parish in their homes as well as visiting the sick in hospital and nursing homes.

In early 2007, Fr Michael retired to Blackrock Road where he was well cared for by the staff in St Theresa’s and also by a great friend of his and the SMA, Miss Margaret O’Regan. He died peacefully in St Theresa’s Nursing unit on Thursday evening, 18 June.

Fr Michael suffered frequent bouts of ill health throughout his life and his later years in retirement were marked by a debilitating condition which rendered him dependent on his carers. He bore his suffering with great patience and fortitude, never complaining or wanting to be a burden on those caring for him. We will soon accompany his mortal remains to the cemetery in Wilton, where his grave will be marked with a little stone cross giving his name and date of death.  His true monument is the countless souls whom he helped on their way to God.

May we draw inspiration from the example of his life of dedicated priestly and missionary service.

Read Obituary here.

Fr Bill Foley died early on Wednesday morning, 30 July 2014, at the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork. He was 78 years of age.

Fr Bill’s remains were brought back to the African Missions House at Wilton, Cork, his home for the last nineteen years. Parishioners, friends and SMA confreres called over the following two days to pay their respects.

Friday, 1 August 2014

At 6.30pm a large crowd gathered for the brief Prayer ceremony led by Fr Dan Cashman SMA before the removal to the adjacent St Joseph’s SMA Church at Wilton.

Fr Eamonn Finnegan, a close friend, looks on as Bill’s nephews, Michael, Paul, Kieran and Billy accompany his remains into the Church.

The Readings used by Fr Cashman were taken from 2 Corinthians 5:1ff and St Luke 7:18ff. Fr Dan then shared the following reflection:

“From the Gospel we have just heard we see that the only living proof Jesus himself could come up with when challenged to give an account of his life and ministry was precisely and simply to recount his actions. Blind seeing, cripples walking; lepers cleansed; deaf hearing; dead raised to life and preaching the Good News to the poor. When we think of Fr Bill’s career we can point to the countless Masses celebrated, the Word preached, the ignorant instructed’ the poor tended to, babies baptised, reconciliation effected, marriages consecrated, the sick anointed, the eyes closed, the dead buried and the work of the SMA proclaimed at every opportunity. Fr Bill’s career, his priesthood, his ministrations were what counted. They were the proof that he was worth something and that his life was justified. This is what Bill had in common with Christ.

There was something else he had in common with Christ and that was his gift of seeing the spark of the divine in each human being and stoking it into a flame. That is a legacy to bequeath to the world and that tells us that Fr Bill has reaped the rewards of his ministry.

We are here to honour this man of fallible faults and priestly service who is now the recipient of these words, ‘come, good and faithful servant. Enter the joy of your Lord.’ We echo these words for we believe that our human journey in God-touched and that Christ’s priesthood is powerful and that a life given in service has every reason to expect resurrection. Bill’s epitaph could have been written by a Rev Sister when he left Nigeria. In her letter to him she wrote, ‘the poor will miss you.’ It is not only the poor who will miss Fr Bill Foley SMA.

After concluding with Prayers of Intercession some time was given to Fr Bill’s immediate family to say their final goodbyes. We then transferred Fr Bill to the Church where his remains were received by Fr Con Murphy SMA, whom Bill had assisted as Vice Provincial in 1983-1989.

After placing Christian symbols on the coffin – the Book of the Gospels, a Crucifix and a Stole [symbol of priesthood], Fr Murphy led a brief Prayer Service for the 100 or so people who gathered in the Church while rain beat down outside.

Fr John Horgan SMA, who worked with Fr Bill in Lagos, read from 1 John 3:1-2 and Psalm 102. Fr Murphy read from St John 12:24ff   and then shared some thoughts on a man he knew from the time he entered the Society. ‘Fr Bill was a man for others – listening to them, comforting them, teaching them. Many people benefitted from his generosity.’

After a decade of the Rosary – the Ascension – was led by the SMA Wilton community Leader, Fr John O’Keeffe, all were invited to the community Dining room for refreshments.

Saturday, 2 August 2014

The SMA Provincial Leader, Fr Michael McCabe, led one of the largest gathering of SMA priests for many years as they, along with diocesan and other clergy, concelebrated the funeral Mass for the late Fr Bill Foley SMA who died last Wednesday morning, 30 July 2014. The Mass was celebrated at 12 noon on Saturday, 2 August, at St Joseph’s SMA Church, Wilton, Cork.

The principal concelebrants were the SMA Superior General, Fr Fachtna O’Driscoll, Tralee schoolmate, Fr John Quinlan SMA, Fr Eamonn Finnegan SMA [who was encouraged to study for the priesthood by Fr Bill and is presently the Leader of the Claregalway community] and close friend Fr Finbarr Crowley [PP of Inishannon].

The Readings for the Mass were read by Fr Bill’s niece, Ann Loughnane, and nephew, Michael Foley.

Marion Maher, Billy, Tracy, Sheila and Kieran Foley led the Prayers of the Faithful and grand-nephews, Darren and Ian Maher brought the Bread and Wine to the Altar for the Offertory of the Mass.

The most telling comment of the entire funeral ceremonies were those quoted by Fr Cashman, from a letter of a Sister in Nigeria: “the poor will miss you.” Many many others will also miss Fr Bill Foley.

May he continue to pray for us from his place of rest. Amen.

Obituary of Fr Bill Foley           Funeral homily of Fr Michael McCabe SMA

Fr Martin J Walsh died on Tuesday, 22 July 2014. His funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, 1 August, at St Joseph’s SMA Church, Blackrock Road, Cork after which his remains were buried in the SMA community cemetery at Wilton, Cork.

The SMA Provincial Leader, Fr Michael McCabe, was Principal Celebrant, assisted by Fr Donal Fennessy [representing the British Province], Fr John Brown [Parish Priest of Our Lady & St Patrick’s, Walthamstow] and Fr Tom Harlow [SMA Parish, Wilton]. Forty-two other priests concelebrated the Mass.

Fr McCabe delivered the following homily.

“Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world (Mt 25: 34)

These words from today’s Gospel express our faith that all who believe in Christ and manifest his love in action, receive eternal life and will be raised up on the last day. We know that Fr Martin not only believed in Christ but spent his life in the service of Christ’s mission. He wanted others to share his faith in Christ and experience the transforming power of his love just as he had experienced it. As we acknowledge the loss of a brother and friend, we thank God for his life and example, and affirm our faith that Fr. Martin is now sharing is that fullness of eternal life and happiness promised by Christ to all who believe in him. It is in this context that it appropriate to remember some of the key moments in Martin’s long and fruitful life.

Martin Walsh was born in Liverpool on 7 September 1927 to Delia Ward and Patrick Walsh. He was the eldest boy in a family of six, three boys and three girls. His father hailed from Mayo and his mother from Galway and in early childhood some of the family returned to Galway where Martin completed his primary education.

Inspired by the example of his cousin, Fr Joe Stephens, who was an SMA priest, in 1941 Martin decided that he, too, would become an SMA missionary priest. He entered the minor seminary of the SMA Irish Province at Ballinafad, Co Mayo where he began his secondary schooling which he completed at African Missions College, Wilton, Cork.

In 1945 Martin entered the SMA Novitiate at Cloughballymore where he spent two years. Recognising his intellectual acumen, his Superiors sent Martin to study at UCG where he graduated in 1947 with a First Class Honours degree in Scholastic Philosophy and Education. That same year he took his first oath of membership of the Society. From Cloughballymore, Martin went to the African Missions Major seminary in Dromantine, Newry, where he followed the usual course of theological studies required for priesthood. He became a permanent member of the Society on 12 June 1950. Martin was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty on 13 June 1951 in the Dominican Church of St Catherine’s in Newry, Co. Down.

Described by his Superiors as an “earnest, hardworking, zealous and generous person, with a highly developed sense of responsibility”, Martin was a brilliant and eager student. Following his ordination, he was sent to Cambridge for Further Studies and graduated in 1954. His first missionary appointment was to Ondo Diocese and he worked there for four years, mainly in the education apostolate. At the time there was a temporary school in a building adjacent to St Matthew’s Catholic Church in Ondo Town. By 1956 Fr Martin acquired a piece of land and the following year began building what became St Joseph’s College, which eventually was handed over to the De La Salle Brothers who still run it today. An SMA priest who worked with Fr Martin at the time recalls how, each afternoon, Fr Martin was accustomed to join the students in preparing the land for the building project by cutting down the bush. Fr Martin did not hesitate to take his part in this physically demanding task, with cutlass in hand and a big wide hat to protect his head from the burning sun!

Returning to Ireland in 1958, Martin was appointed Professor of Philosophy at the Major Seminary of the Irish Province in Dromantine and taught there for four years. Many members of the SMA still alive today were privileged to have had him as a teacher. Martin was held in high esteem by the students not only for the quality of his lectures but especially for his sensitivity and kindness. An SMA priest whom who was a student during those years remembers Fr Martin especially for having reached out to him with understanding and compassion at a time when he was grieving the death of his father.

In 1963 the SMA was invited by the Archbishop of Perth to staff a new College – St Brendan’s – and run a new parish at Beaconsfield. The Irish Province accepted this invitation and Fr Martin was appointed as Dean of Students at St Brendan’s College and taught there for almost five years. Leaving Australia in 1959, Fr Martin was appointed once more to Ondo diocese but when he reached Nigeria the Regional Superior appointed him to teach Philosophy at Ss Peter & Paul Major seminary, Ibadan. He would continue in that post until 1981. Once again, thoughtfulness and consideration were hallmarks of his relationship with students and also with the young priests arriving in Nigeria for the first time. One of the 1976 Ordination class recalls that when they were doing their Preparation programme [Tyro] in Ibadan in late ’76, Fr Martin arrived from the seminary with a map for each of them showing how to find their way around the huge city of Ibadan.

Following a one year sabbatical at Boston College where he completed a Masters’ Degree in Divinity, Fr Martin was appointed in 1982 to teach Philosophy at St Paul’s College Seminary, in Gbarnga, Liberia. This was an international seminary for training priests from the dioceses of Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Gambia. I happened to be the Dean of Studies during the time Martin was teaching there and I have fond memories of him as a wise, soft-spoken, elder brother, whose advice I appreciated, even if I didn’t always follow it. He would often knock on the door of my room and ask if he could have a word with me. I would say ‘Sure, Martin’. He would then offer me his advice and say ‘I don’t want you to act on it now but put it on the back burner’. And, indeed, more often than not I kept his advice on the back burner. Martin was loved by the students not only because he was a superb teacher but because of the personal interest he took in those he taught, most of them now priests and a few bishops. During his time in Liberia, Martin completed work on his major academic project, a 500 page History of Philosophy which would serve as a vade mecum of seminarians. Martin’s text book was published in 1985 and is still widely uses in seminaries throughout Africa.

Martin returned to Ireland in 1985 and was editor of the SMA Irish Province Bulletin for the next four years. In 1989 he was appointed to teach Philosophy at the Missionary Institute in London and continued in that post up to his retirement in 2006. Upon retiring he remained living in London until increasing frailty forced him to accept that he needed constant nursing care. He came to St Theresa’s Nursing Unit in January this year, and gradually settled into the routine of community living. He accepted the twilight years of his life with enviable equanimity as befits a wise and faithful servant. He would have concurred with the sentiment of Edgar in King Lear: “Men must endure their going hence even as their coming hither. Ripeness is all” (Act 5. Sc. 2). When Fr Martin was ripe with years and wisdom, God called him to dwell in that domain of the blessed where all tears are wiped away and death is forever conquered.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Fr Martin J Walsh died peacefully at 7.30am on Tuesday, 29 July 2014 in the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit at the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. He was 86 years of age.

Fr Martin’s remains were brought to the Community Chapel at 5.30pm that day where the SMA comunity Leader, Fr Colum O’Shea, blessed his remains and led the Evening Prayer for the Dead. At 7pm the Rosary was recited by the community, the staff of St Theresa’s, some OLA Sisters and local people who came to express their sympathy on Fr Martin’s death. Fr Michael Igoe, who worked with Fr Martin in Ondo in the 1950’s, led the Rosary and other prayers.

Fr Martin’s remains rested in the Chapel until Thursday when, at 7pm, Fr O’Shea recited the Prayers for the transfer of the Body to the Church. Due to an already scheduled wedding in Wilton it was decided that Fr Martin’s funeral Mass would take place in the adjacent St Joseph’s SMA Church, Blackrock Road. Fr Angelo Lafferty SMA, Assistant Parish Priest, received the remains at the Church door and led the cortege into the Church where prayers and a decade of the Rosary were recited.

Two of Fr Martin’s nieces placed the Book of the Gospels and the Crucifix on his coffin at the start of the ceremony. Fr Colum O’Shea read from the Gospel and, in some brief remarks, reminded us that though Fr Martin had only been in St Theresa’s for a few months he had settled in and was content. Towards the end it must have been difficult for Fr Martin as he was unable to communicate. 

The chief mourners were Fr Martin’s two sisters, Moura and Cathy, his brother-in-law Micheál, nieces and nephews. His brother, Barry, was travelling from the USA and was expected for the funeral Mass.

On Friday, 1 August, the SMA Provincial Leader, Fr Michael McCabe, led 46 priests in concelebrating the Funeral Mass. The principal concelebrants were, from left,  Fr Tom Harlow [a student of Fr Martin in Dromantine and highlighting Fr Martin’s ‘Galway’ connection], Fr John Brown [Parish Priest of the SMA parish of Our Lady & St Patrick’s, Walthamstow, London], Fr McCabe and Fr Donal Fennessy [representing the British Province].

Fr Angelo Lafferty SMA was the Cantor and Fr Tommie Wade SMA was MC. The Church Sacristan, Miss Margaret O’Regan, had earlier prepared the Altar and chapel for the celebration of the Eucharist.

Among the concelebrants were Fr Michael Igoe and Fr Andy O’Sullivan, who worked with Fr Martin in Ondo in the 1950’s, as well as many former students of Fr Martin during his years in Dromantine. As Fr McCabe reminded everyone in his homily, they rememebred Martin as a gentle and supportive teacher, even beyond the classroom.

After Communion Fr McCabe invited Fr Martin’s brother, Barry, to address the  congregation. In a very moving eulogy Barry paid tribute to the man who “was the kindest man I’ve ever met” and “the glue that bound us together“. There were seven children in the Walsh household. Barry told us that, due to the Second World War and at just 12 years of age, Martin was given the task of bringing his brother Michael and sister Margaret home to Ireland from Liverpool. Their parents stayed on in England and the three children were taken in by relatives back in Galway, in three different houses. Every Sunday, Martin would travel across the fields to collect Michael and then go to where Margaret was living. It was to keep all of them together, despite their living circumstances. Barry spoke of Martin’s mission to Africa but “his greatest mission was to us.” For Barry, Cathy and Moura and all his family, Fr Martin Walsh was their strength.

Barry’s sharing showed a side of Fr Martin that was unknown to his SMA confreres. Fr Martin was not one to ever draw attention to himself.

Our photo shows Barry and other relatives shouldering Fr Martin’s remains ot his final resting place in Wilton.

One SMA remarked of Fr Martin that though he was a big man in stature but when he spoke it was always with a quiet voice, as if he didn’t want to dominate the gathering by either his size or voice. Yet, intellectually, he was a gentle giant. He always sought to persuade you by his reasoning and argument [and he would hold to his opinions once he had settled on them] but never seek to ‘shout you down’.

After the Prayers of Commendation we accompanied Fr Martin across the city to St Joseph’s SMA Church at Wilton where we laid him to rest. At the end of the burial, Fr John O’Keeffe, the Wilton community Leader, led a decade of the Rosary and then invited all to lunch in the community dining room.

Bill Foley was born in Ballybunion, Co Kerry on 13 October 1935, the third of four sons born to Bridget [née Stack] and William Foley. He was baptised in St John’s Church, Ballybunion parish three days later. He was confirmed in the same Church on 28 September 1947.

His primary and secondary education was at the CBS Tralee, where he was a classmate of Fr John Quinlan SMA. He began studies for the Leaving Certificate but then decided to follow his brothers John and Desmond into the Civil Service. After passing the Clerical Officers Exam he was assigned to the Income Tax section, based first in Dublin and then in Dundalk. The idea of joining the SMA had been in his mind when in school but he’d put it aside. He now decided to act on it and he set off for the African Missions, Cloughballymore in Co Galway for his Novitiate, along with 48 others, in September 1954 [22 of that group were eventually ordained]. A year later he took his first oath of membership in the Society. After Cloughballymore he transferred to Wilton for a year and then, from 1955 – 1961 he studied Philosophy and Theology at the African Missions Major seminary, Dromantine, Newry, Co Down.

On 14 June 1960 Bill became a permanent member of the Society and, along with 21 classmates, was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Colman, Newry by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty. A 23rd member of the class, Oscar Welsh, was ordained later due to the age requirements. Fr Bill is pictured on extreme right front row in our picture above. 

Fr Bill is pictured at Holy Cross Cathedral with Fr Paddy Culligan (Administrator) and Fr Martin Costello and Fr John McGuinness with a parish committee.

Recognizing his intellectual ability Fr John Creaven sent him to study Canon Law at the Gregorian University in Rome where he achieved a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1963. He often travelled to the University on the back of Fr Henri Blin’s Vespa scooter. Following his holidays at home in Kerry Fr Bill was appointed to the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria. His first mission was with Fr Michael McLoughlin in Ijebu-Igbo (now part of Ijebu-Ode diocese). His organizational skills were tapped into by Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor who later appointed him as Manager of Schools for the Holy Cross parish which had some very large Primary schools in the Archdiocese. This was one of the most important posts in any diocese and Bill had no problem doing the task entrusted to him, living in the house attached to the Holy Cross Cathedral. His two SMA companions there were Frs Pat Culligan, Martin Costello and John McGuinness. When Archbishop Taylor died it was Bill Foley who was called on to be part of the Organising Committee and act as MC for the obsequies.

In 1967 he was recalled to be Master of Aspirants at the Novitiate in Cloughballymore, Co Galway. After one year he was transferred to take charge of the Major seminary at Dromantine. It was a time of great change in the Church. The Second Vatican Council had ‘opened the windows’ to a new reality. It was not an easy time to be helping to train seminarians. Like most seminaries there was plenty of turmoil with students seeking to embrace the change which Vatican II heralded and staff wanting to maintain a certain control of the ‘evolving situation’. Bill Foley was caught in the middle! No matter what decision he made it couldn’t please all sides and, even to this day, there are some who will take his side or continue to disagree with his decisions. But, no matter what he said or did, he did it for the best of reasons and to further the spread of the Gospel. He also oversaw the transfer of the seminary to Maynooth after the Society Superiors decided, in the spirit of Vatican II, to have the SMA seminarians trained with diocesan and other seminarians. It was also becomingly more difficult to provide adequate staff for Dromantine.

After one year as Rector of the SMA House, Maynooth, Fr Bill was elected to the Provincial Council where he was responsible for, inter alia, Promotion and Property. He was re-elected in 1978 and served as Vice Provincial Superior to Fr Con Murphy. In accordance with the SMA Constitutions it was not possible for Bill to serve a third term as Councillor and so, in 1983, he returned to Dromantine as Superior where he devoted his energies to promoting the Mission Association Cards as a new means of funding for the Missions. Our photo shows Fr Bill and Fr Brendan Dunning SMA who has been part of the SMA Promotion team for many years.

His welcome to visitors was legendary and he could always be relied on to sing a song or two at the different Holiday Camps, FVC Retreats which he helped to promote throughout the north of Ireland. One young man said on hearing of his death: “my abiding memory of him, aside, obviously, from the pipe, will be laughter and joy. RIP Bill“.

During his time in Dromantine he assisted the local church with his Canon Law expertise. On hearing of his death Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore diocese wrote of this work: “Bill was a judge on the Armagh Regional Marriage Tribunal and an excellent one. He brought good judgement and common sense to everything.”

Checking out the sporting results with the Maasai in northern Kenya via the Kerryman

In 1990 his oft-repeated request to return to Africa was granted and he served for 4 years in Lagos. His first appointment was with Fr Kevin McGarry in St Agnes’, Maryland and then St Sabina’s Catholic Church, Idi-Mangoro with Fathers Tomás Walsh and Cathal McKenna. When Fr Walsh returned to Ireland in 1992, Fr Bill became Parish Priest. In 1994, as he prepared to return to Lagos following his holidays at home, he was asked by the SMA Superior General, Fr Patrick J Harrington, to take temporary charge of the SMA House of Studies in Nairobi to which he agreed.After one year in Kenya he returned to be Superior of the SMA House in Wilton. He was a man of foresight and during his seven years in Wilton he oversaw the extension of the community cemetery for he realised that with more and more men living longer, and so ‘retiring’ from the missions there would be need for additional space in the cemetery, adjacent to the parish church. In August 2001 he had a serious stroke which forced him to retire and he remained on in Wilton for the remaining years of his life.

Bill Foley was also well known and appreciated in the wider Society, attending several General and Provincial Assemblies, serving on numerous Commissions where a clear head, which could look at all sides of an argument, and come to a clear rational decision was needed. Two former Superiors General, Fathers Joe Hardy and Daniel Cardot, spoke of his kindness and attention to detail during the different Commisisons and Assemblies they participated in. Fr Hardy wrote: “The last time I met him in 2009 he was still full of humour and happy to remind me of our collaboration during the post Vatican II SMA General Assemblies  and the writing of our new Constitutions… Bill was a true SMA man, a devoted missionary to Africa, a clever administrator, fair to the job and to his friends. God knows his faithful servants and welcomes Bill to His table. He will now be singing for ever in the joy of his Lord.” He is pictured (on right) with Frs Jackie Power, Joe Hardy, Kevin Scanlan and Lambert Meurders.

But ‘retirement’ did not mean sitting down and doing nothing! Fr Bill remained active in many ways even if he could not move about as easily as before. He maintained a huge correspondance with friends and SMA supporters, by post and phone. His inability to drive was a huge blow for him but many kind family and friends brought him to places he wanted to go.

He learnt how to use the computer and produced beautiful booklets for the many baptisms and weddings he was asked to officiate at. These were not just family occasions but also for others who held him in such high regard that they wanted him to be part of their special days. Surely a sign of the esteem in which he was held beyond the SMA. Our photo shows him at the Remembrance Sunday Mass in Wilton some years ago during which he preached a much-appreciated sermon.

The Sisters of Mercy were very dear to him and he often celebrated Mass for the St Columba’s community in Wilton as well as leading their Christmas and Easter ceremonies for several years. At the time of his death he was preparing a homily to preach at the OLA Golden Jubilee celebration for two of their Sisters.

He was always deeply committed to the missions and did a lot of quiet untrumpeted work to support particular SMAs and OLA Sisters in Africa. His Christmas ‘letter’ was a means of fundraising for different needs – there are several churches in the north of Kenya which benefitted from the financial support he got from friends and relatives. His care also extended to different OLA projects in Tanzania and elsewhere. He served on the Board of Tabor Lodge Treatment Centre in Cork for six years.

Even though no one is indispensable the words of Fr Tomás Walsh echoes the thoughts of many SMA’s: “it will be hard to think of the Irish Province without Bill Foley.”

Bill Foley was an SMA to his backbone. The SMA was everything to him. He was always ready to offer an opinion on all matters SMA. Sometimes this wasn’t appreciated but Bill did it for the good of the Society as he saw it. His family was the other great interest of his life. He was involved as much as possible in the different family events down the years. Now that he has gone to the house of the Father we trust that he will continue to pray for his family and the SMA calling God’s blessings on us all.

Our final photo is one the earliest of him from the 1960’s during his time in Holy Cross Cathedral. His usually well-coiffed hair is suffering from the heat and humidity! Fr Bill is fourth from the right, next to the Bishop Aggey who was soon to succeed Archbishop Taylor as the first indigenous Archbishop of Lagos. Also in the picture are Fr Denis Slattery and Fr Jerry Coakley.

Fr Bill is deservedly mourned by his brothers, John and Desmond, sisters-in-law Rosie, Nora and Dolores, nieces, nephews, other relatives, a wide circle of friends all over Ireland and beyond as well as his confreres in the Society of African Missions. His younger brother, Tony, predeceased him.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

Homily of Fr Michael McCabe SMA         Report on funeral ceremonies

Bill Foley was born in Ballybunion, Co Kerry on 13 October 1935, the third of four sons born to Bridget [née Stack] and William Foley. He was baptised in St John’s Church, Ballybunion parish three days later. He was confirmed in the same Church on 28 September 1947.

His primary and secondary education was at the CBS Tralee, where he was a classmate of Fr John Quinlan SMA. He began studies for the Leaving Certificate but then decided to follow his brothers John and Desmond into the Civil Service. After passing the Clerical Officers Exam he was assigned to the Income Tax section, based first in Dublin and then in Dundalk. The idea of joining the SMA had been in his mind when in school but he’d put it aside. He now decided to act on it and he set off for the African Missions, Cloughballymore in Co Galway for his Novitiate, along with 48 others, in September 1954 [22 of that group were eventually ordained]. A year later he took his first oath of membership in the Society. After Cloughballymore he spent a year in to Wilton and then, from 1955 – 1961 he studied Philosophy and Theology at the African Missions Major seminary, Dromantine, Newry, Co Down.

On 14 June 1960 Bill became a permanent member of the Society and, along with 21 classmates, was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Colman, Newry by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty. A 23rd member of the class, Oscar Welsh, was ordained later due to the age requirements. Fr Bill is pictured on extreme right front row in our picture above. 

Fr Bill is pictured at Holy Cross Cathedral with Fr Paddy Culligan (Administrator) and Fr Martin Costello and Fr John McGuinness with a parish committee.

Recognizing his intellectual ability Fr John Creaven sent him to study Canon Law at the Gregorian University in Rome where he achieved a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1963. He often travelled to the University on the back of Fr Henri Blin’s Vespa scooter. Following his holidays at home in Kerry Fr Bill was appointed to the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria. His first mission was with Fr Michael McLoughlin in Ijebu-Igbo (now part of Ijebu-Ode diocese). His organizational skills were tapped into by Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor who later appointed him as Manager of Schools for the Holy Cross parish which had some very large Primary schools in the Archdiocese. This was one of the most important posts in any diocese and Bill had no problem doing the task entrusted to him, living in the house attached to the Holy Cross Cathedral. His SMA companions there were Frs Pat Culligan, Martin Costello and John McGuinness. When Archbishop Taylor died it was Bill Foley who was called on to be part of the Organising Committee and act as MC for the obsequies.

In 1967 he was recalled to be Master of Aspirants at the Novitiate in Cloughballymore, Co Galway. After one year he was transferred to take charge of the Major seminary at Dromantine. It was a time of great change in the Church. The Second Vatican Council had ‘opened the windows’ to a new reality. It was not an easy time to be helping to train seminarians. Like most seminaries there was plenty of turmoil with students seeking to embrace the change which Vatican II heralded and staff wanting to maintain a certain control of the ‘evolving situation’. Bill Foley was caught in the middle! No matter what decision he made it couldn’t please all sides and, even to this day, there are some who will take his side or continue to disagree with his decisions. But, no matter what he said or did, he did it for the best of reasons and to further the spread of the Gospel. He also oversaw the transfer of the seminary to Maynooth after the Society Superiors decided, in the spirit of Vatican II, to have the SMA seminarians trained with diocesan and other seminarians. It was also becomingly more difficult to provide adequate staff for Dromantine.

After one year as Rector of the SMA House, Maynooth, Fr Bill was elected to the Provincial Council where he was responsible for, inter alia, Promotion and Property. He was re-elected in 1978 and served as Vice Provincial Superior to Fr Con Murphy. In accordance with the SMA Constitutions it was not possible for Bill to serve a third term as Councillor and so, in 1983, he returned to Dromantine as Superior where he devoted his energies to promoting the Mission Association Cards as a new means of funding for the Missions. Our photo shows Fr Bill and Fr Brendan Dunning SMA who has been part of the SMA Promotion team for many years.

His welcome to visitors was legendary and he could always be relied on to sing a song or two at the different Holiday Camps, FVC Retreats which he helped to promote throughout the north of Ireland. One young man said on hearing of his death: “my abiding memory of him, aside, obviously, from the pipe, will be laughter and joy. RIP Bill“.

During his time in Dromantine he assisted the local church with his Canon Law expertise. On hearing of his death Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore diocese wrote of this work: “Bill was a judge on the Armagh Regional Marriage Tribunal and an excellent one. He brought good judgement and common sense to everything.”

Checking out the sporting results with the Maasai in northern Kenya via the Kerryman

In 1990 his oft-repeated request to return to Africa was granted and he served for 4 years in Lagos. His first appointment was with Fr Kevin McGarry in St Agnes’, Maryland and then St Sabina’s Catholic Church, Idi-Mangoro with Fathers Tomás Walsh and Cathal McKenna. When Fr Walsh returned to Ireland in 1992, Fr Bill became Parish Priest. In 1994, as he prepared to return to Lagos following his holidays at home, he was asked by the SMA Superior General, Fr Patrick J Harrington, to take temporary charge of the SMA House of Studies in Nairobi to which he agreed. After one year in Kenya he returned to be Superior of the SMA House in Wilton. He was a man of foresight and during his seven years in Wilton he oversaw the extension of the community cemetery for he realised that with more and more men living longer, and so ‘retiring’ from the missions there would be need for additional space in the cemetery, adjacent to the parish church. In August 2001 he had a serious stroke which forced him to retire and he remained on in Wilton for the remaining years of his life.

Bill Foley was also well known and appreciated in the wider Society, attending several General and Provincial Assemblies, serving on numerous Commissions where a clear head, which could look at all sides of an argument, and come to a clear rational decision was needed. Two former Superiors General, Fathers Joe Hardy and Daniel Cardot, spoke of his kindness and attention to detail during the different Commissions and Assemblies they participated in. Fr Hardy wrote: “The last time I met him in 2009 he was still full of humour and happy to remind me of our collaboration during the post Vatican II SMA General Assemblies  and the writing of our new Constitutions… Bill was a true SMA man, a devoted missionary to Africa, a clever administrator, fair to the job and to his friends. God knows his faithful servants and welcomes Bill to His table. He will now be singing for ever in the joy of his Lord.” He is pictured (on right) with Frs Jackie Power, Joe Hardy, Kevin Scanlan and Lambert Meurders.

But Fr Bill’s was an ‘active retirement’. No way was he going to sit and do nothing! Fr Bill remained active in many ways even if he could not move about as easily as before. He maintained a huge correspondance with friends and SMA supporters, by post and phone. His inability to drive was a huge blow for him but many kind family and friends brought him to places he wanted to go.

He learnt how to use the computer and produced beautiful booklets for the many baptisms and weddings he was asked to officiate at. These were not just family occasions but also for others who held him in such high regard that they wanted him to be part of their special days. Surely a sign of the esteem in which he was held beyond the SMA. Our photo shows him at the Remembrance Sunday Mass in Wilton some years ago during which he preached a much-appreciated sermon. The Sisters of Mercy were very dear to him and he often celebrated Mass for the St Columba’s community in Wilton as well as leading their Christmas and Easter ceremonies for several years. At the time of his death he was preparing a homily to preach at the OLA Golden Jubilee celebration for two of their Sisters.

He was always committed to the missions and did a lot of quiet untrumpeted work to support particular SMAs and OLA Sisters in Africa. His Christmas ‘letter’ was a means of fundraising for different needs – there are several churches in the north of Kenya which benefitted from the financial support he got from friends and relatives. His care also extended to different OLA projects in Tanzania and elsewhere. He served on the Board of Tabor Lodge Treatment Centre in Cork for six years.

Even though no one is indispensable the words of Fr Tomás Walsh echoes the thoughts of many SMA’s: “it will be hard to think of the Irish Province without Bill Foley.”

Bill Foley was an SMA to his backbone. The SMA was everything to him. He was always ready to offer an opinion on all matters SMA. Sometimes this wasn’t appreciated but Bill did it for the good of the Society as he saw it. His family was the other great interest of his life. He was involved as much as possible in the different family events down the years. Now that he has gone to the house of the Father we trust that he will continue to pray for his family and the SMA calling God’s blessings on us all.

Our final photo is one the earliest of him from the 1960’s during his time in Holy Cross Cathedral. His usually well-coiffed hair is suffering from the heat and humidity! Fr Bill is fourth from the right, next to the Bishop Aggey who was soon to succeed Archbishop Taylor as the first indigenous Archbishop of Lagos. Also in the picture are Fr Denis Slattery and Fr Jerry Coakley.

Fr Bill is deservedly mourned by his brothers, John and Desmond, sisters-in-law Rosie, Nora and Dolores, nieces, nephews, other relatives, a wide circle of friends all over Ireland and beyond as well as his confreres in the Society of African Missions. His younger brother, Tony, predeceased him.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

Fr Martin J Walsh died peacefully at 7.30am on Tuesday, 29 July 2014 in the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit at the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. He was 86 years of age.

Martin Walsh was born in Liverpool on 8 September 1927 to Delia [née Ward] and Patrick Walsh. He was baptised in St Mary’s Church, Highfield Street, Liverpool two days later. His father was originally from Kilmaine, Co Mayo and his mother from Ardskea, Co Galway.

In early childhood the family returned to Co Galway where Martin completed his Primary education [Annaghill – 1939-1941]. He was confirmed in Lackagh parish Church, Athenry, on 18 April 1940. Fr Martin had a cousin – Fr Joe Stevens – in the SMA and in 1941 Martin entered the Sacred Heart College at Ballinafad, Co Mayo where the SMA provided education for those wanting to join the Society.

He completed his secondary education at the African Missions, Wilton in 1945. Formally entering the SMA programme for priesthood, Martin returned to Co Galway, to the SMA Novitiate at Cloughballymore where he spent two years. During this time he also studied Philosophy, a subject in which he would later excel.

The 1951 Ordination class, with Fr Martin in back row on right.

Recognized for his academic ability he was sent to study at UCC where he gained a First Class Honours degree in Scholastic Philosphy and Education, living in Wilton. He undertook his theological studies at the African Missions Major seminary in Dromantine, Newry, becoming a permanent member of the Society on 12 June 1950.

Our picture shows Fr Martin at the Episcopal ordination of Bishop William Field SMA as Bishop of Ondo, assisted by Bishop Patrick J Kelly of Benin City.

Along with 11 classmates, Fr Martin was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty on 13 June 1951 in St Catherine’s (Dominican) Church, Newry as the Cathedral was undergoing renovations at the time. Following his ordination Fr Martin was sent, not to Africa as his classmates were, but to Cambridge University where he gained an MA in 1954.

The next four years Fr Martin spent in Ondo diocese in the education apostolate. At the time there was a temporary school in a building adjacent to St Matthew’s Catholic Church in Ondo Town. By 1956 Fr Martin had acquired a piece of land and the following year he began building what became St Joseph’s College, which in time was handed over to the De La Salle Brothers who still run it today. One SMA who worked with Fr Martin at this time recalls that each afternoon Fr Martin, along with the students, would go out into the compound and reclaim the land by cutting down the bush. Fr Martin took his part, with cutlass in hand and a big wide hat to cover his head!

In 1958 he was recalled to join the teaching staff in Dromantine for a four-year period [1958-1962]. He is remembered by former pupils as a very good teacher and always considerate and kind to his students.

The Society was invited by the Archbishop of Perth to staff a new College and run a parish in Beaconsfield. After initial reservations etc it was agreed to take on this new venture. Fr Martin, along with Fr John Creaven [Irish Provincial Superior] and Fr Con Murphy went to Perth in 1963 to examine the project. To get a flavour of the education system in the country, Fr Martin taught for some months at the Christian Brothers Trinity College in Perth. Fr Murphy was recalled for an African appointment and Fr Martin was appointed as Dean of Students at St Brendan’s College and taught there until 1969.

Br Francis Murphy, Fr Elisha O’Shea and Fr Martin.

Though the Society handed the school over to lay management in 1973 we still care for the Parish of Christ the King, Beaconsfield where Fr Liam Keating is the sole SMA representative in Australia.

After Australia Fr Martin was appointed again to Ondo diocese  but when he reached Nigeria the Regional Superior appointed him to the staff of the Ss Peter & Paul Major seminary. He taught there for a year before returning to Ondo diocese but, after a year there, he returned to teaching Philosophy in Ibadan. Kindness and thoughtfulness were two of his characteristics. One of the 1976 Ordination class recalls that when they were doing their Preparation programme [Tyro] in Ibadan in late ’76, Fr Martin arrived from the seminary with a map for each of them showing how to find their way around the huge city of Ibadan. He is pictured below with some Ibadan seminarians in the 1960’s.

When St Paul’s College Major seminary in Gbarnga, Liberia had need for a Philosophy teacher Fr Martin was sent. Gbarnga was then in the Archdiocese of Monrovia. It is now a diocese in its own right. During his three years in Liberia he wrote A History of Philosophy – a book which summarised the eleven-volume work of Frederick Coppleston. This book became the standard text book in many seminaries, lauded for its simplicity yet completeness. A five-year appointment as Editor of the Irish Provincial Bulletin – a theological and pastoral review of sorts – was his next appointment and he lived in Blackrock Road during this period.

However, teaching was in his blood and from 1989 – 2006 he was on the staff of the Missionary Institute in London. He retired from teaching in 2006 and remained living in London until increasing frailty forced him to recognize the reality that he needed nursing care. He came to St Theresa’s Nursing Unit earlier this year and settled into community life once again, attending daily Mass in the Chapel and joining the community for meals and other events.

Fr Martin is deservedly mourned by his sisters, Cathy Sellers (USA) and Moura Smyth (Sligo), his brother Barry (USA), brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and his confreres in the Society of African Missions.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Fr Seán Hayes requested that one of his classmates, Fr John Horgan, should preach at his funeral Mass. Drawing on Isaiah 25:6-9, Romans 5:5-11 and John 17:24-26, Fr Horgan (pictured) preached the following homily.

Fr. Sean Hayes entered the SMA Novitiate in September 1952 imbued by the vision of today’s Gospel. He was one of a group of 30 who began the SMA Novitiate that year, studying philosophy and after completion moved on for theological studies to Dromantine, Newry. He was one of twelve of that group ordained priest on the 18^th June 1958.

His ordination was followed by his departure to take up mission in the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Nigeria. That was the realisation of his dream. At the time the very word missionary instilled notions of adventure, heroism and sacrifice and these ideas were all the stronger because the missionary realised he was not engaged in ordinary work but in a personal call or vocation from God.

Armed with these high ideals Fr Sean was like a racehorse ‘chomping at the bit’ waiting for the race to begin after his initial period of learning the language and culture of the people. Like all missionaries at the beginning of their career I am sure Sean gave little thought to possible misunderstandings, failure, discouragement, sickness or misfortune. All of these become part of the missionaries lived experience later.

When such experiences are internalised they give the missionary a true picture of what it means to be on mission, to do mission and to be a missionary.

One of the fruits of the second Vatican council 50 years ago was that the mass and the liturgy of the sacraments could be celebrated in the local language all over the world. Fr Sean saw this as opening up great possibilities for mission among the local people because they could pray and be formed in Christian living through the medium of their local culture and language.

It also offered the opportunity for his missionary apostolate for the promotion, education and empowerment of local women and girls.

For part of his missionary career he worked in Niger Province in the Archdiocese of Kaduna. This Province was handed over to the Kiltegan Fathers who came to work there in March 1963 where Sean was the last SMA who handed over to them on 6^th September of that year.

Where there was one diocese in the area to which he was appointed in 1958, there are now six dioceses. The Lord certainly gave a plentiful harvest to the seed sown!

He became increasingly aware that the church in Kaduna was paying too little attention to the evangelisation of the local peoples because it depended for its support on the non-native Christian population who lived and worked there.

He developed a friendship and close working relationship with the late Fr. Malachy Gately who was deeply interested in the evangelisation of the Magazawa people of Kano State, Nigeria. Though many considered this to be a Muslim area Fr Gately knew that these people had resisted conversion to Islam and that there was great opportunities for the evangelisation of these people. Fr. Gately worked through catechists while Fr Sean had a different approach to the work and became the first Catholic priest to live among the Magazawa people and was directly responsible for opening the first two parishes there. He also had a healthy pride that priests from that area were ordained to ministry in Northern Nigeria.

I would regard himself and Fr Malachy Gately as the founders of the indigenous church in that area.

Fr Sean left Nigeria in 1987 with a great sense of fulfilment at what God had done through him and I suppose a certain frustration that he was not able to go further. But ….. he felt the time had come when he should try new mission territory.

He visited all the countries where the SMA was involved in East and Southern Africa. But in each country Sean saw that fluency in the local language was essential. So he decided as he could not become fluent in a new language now being in his early 50’s he opted to go to Liberia.

Because of the civil war in Liberia, the main work of missionaries at the time was the distribution of AID to a needy population. Sean felt uncomfortable in this role. So after some years he returned to Ireland and accepted the position of Director of the Family Vocations Crusade (FVC) in Leinster and afterwards in Dublin.

He did not confine himself to the traditional way of FVC groups but constantly sought new ways of soliciting support for the formation of SMA seminarians in the new units of Poland, India, the Philippines and particularly in Africa which was always dearest to his heart.

As well as his work with the FVC he gave sterling service to all who needed contact with the Nigerian Embassy in Dublin.

Through his love of art and the game of bridge, not only did he find an outlet socially, but he used these areas of interests as a means of living out his missionary zeal and promoting the Gospel.

People speak to me of Sean as a man who was very obliging and very hospitable to people. He would never see you stuck. He was generous to the core but didn’t want others to acknowledge this about him as he possibly saw this as a sign of weakness.

He was strong physically and mentally and was able to live among the people in their local villages and feel very much at home among them. Wherever he lived out his missionary calling he was singled-minded – 100% committed to the people…….!

For medical reasons, Sean officially retired to the SMA House in Blackrock Road here in Cork after 54 active years in the service of the SMA – 33 years in Africa and 21 years as FVC Director.

He was a man who persevered to the end.

Sean’s work of evangelisation, his administration of the sacraments and praying with his favourite passages of scripture gave him strength and a framework for his life. In his latter years he also developed a strong devotion to the Holy Spirit. This is reflected in one of his last paintings which sat on his bedside locker in Marymount Hospice which he dedicated to the Holy Spirit.

He was also a man of pilgrimage. He was the essential pilgrim always searching and finding God in work and in the sacred place of his own self. His final year was a year of pilgrimage, letting go, renewing, and communicating with a more authentic Sean.

We hope Fr Sean is now enjoying the celebratory feast foretold by Isaiah in the first reading of today’s mass and having died with Christ we hope he has already shared his resurrection with Christ as promised in the second reading.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

 Read OBITUARY here.

The SMA is mourning the death of Fr Seán Hayes which occurred at Marymount Hospice, Cork on Tuesday evening, 15 July 2014, aged 78 years.

Seán was born in Kilfinnan, Co Limerick on 23 July 1935, to Patrick J and Josephine Hayes (née Bradfield). He was the eldest of four sons. He completed his Secondary education in the CBS Limerick [1947 – 1952]. His desire to be a missionary priest saw him enter the formation programme at the African Missions House in Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway where he undertook his Spiritual Year studies and Philosophy. He took his first oath of membership in the Society of African Missions on 14 June 1954.

He then transferred to the African Missions Major Seminary at Dromantine, near Newry, Co Down where he completed his Philosophy and Theology studies, becoming a permanent member of the Society on 12 June 1957. A little over a year later, on 18 June 1958, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty at the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Colman, Newry, one of twelve ordained on that day.

Fr Seán is pictured second left, back row, with the rest of the 1958 Ordination Class outside the Main House in Dromantine.

He was appointed to Kaduna diocese in Northern Nigeria where Bishop John McCarthy SMA led a committed band of missionaries pushing out into the rural areas proclaiming the Gospel, particularly through the medium of education. The newly-ordained Fr Seán served in many parishes [including Zuru, Mabushi and Kubacha and in later years in Idon, Rahama, Danladi, Samaru (Zaria), Christ the King Parish, Zaria and Our Lady of Fatima, Kano].

For many years Church authorities in Rome wanted to see part of the original Kaduna diocese given to another missionary group in order to advance the work. And so in 1962 the decision was made to give care of the Niger Province to the Kiltegan Missionaries [St Patrick’s Society]. “James Noonan was the first SPS priest to take over a mission [Zuru] from the SMA on 1^st March 1963 and Seán Hayes was the last SMA to work in Niger Province, leaving in September 1963.”[ From the Niger to the Sahara, the story of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Edward O’Connor SMA, SMA Fathers Abuja, 2009, page 119]

He worked closely with the late Fr Malachy Gately who was deeply interested in the evangelisation of the Maguzawa people of Kano State. Though many considered this to be a Muslim area Fr. Gately saw the opportunities in working with these people who refused to accept Islam. Fr Gately worked from Zaria province through catechists. Today much of this area is Christian, and most of them are Catholics.

Fr Hayes had a different approach to this work and became the first Catholic priest to live among the Maguzawa [indigenous Hausa people of the Kano / Zaria area] and was directly responsible for opening the first two parishes – Nassarawa Kuki and Refawa. In the book already quoted Fr O’Connor writes of this work: “Seán Hayes worked closely from Dunladi with their catechists who now lived in Maguzawa villages… I believe the evangelization of the Maguzawa people in different parts of the North was one of the most important steps taken since the coming of the first missionaries to Shendam in 1907.” [page 140]

After ten years he spent a year in Wilton, involved in promotion work [Mission boxes] and assisting in the SMA Church at Wilton which served the local community, though not at that time a parish in its own right. He then returned to Kaduna and was assigned to Idon.

Where there was just one diocese – Kaduna – when Fr Seán landed in Nigeria today there are six! Surely a sign of God’s blessing on the work of so many committed priests, sisters, brothers, catechists and Nigerian faithful. The Lord certainly gave a plentiful harvest to the seed sown! Shortly after his arrival in Nigeria, Kaduna was raised to the status of an Archdiocese

Fr. Seán left Nigeria in 1987 and, after holidays, headed for the Irish Province’s oldest mission country: Liberia. It was a time of civil war in that country but, having already endured the terrible violence of the Nigerian Civil War [1966-1970] the situation held no fear for Fr Seán.

He is pictured right with Archbishop Michael Francis of Monrovia at the River Cess parish.

The period 1990 – 1991 saw him involved in several tasks: assisting in the SMA Parish at Neilstown, Dublin; promoting the SMA Magazine in primary schools and helping the Editor, Fr Peter McCawille, in his work; assisting at Knock Shrine and parish work in Roscommon. Speaking of their time together, Fr Peter remembers: “… he used write loads of letters for insertion in Link [the Irish Province magazine for SMA members]. He felt happy communicating with a pen”.

In late 1991 he was appointed as Director of the Family Vocations Crusade [FVC] in Leinster and afterwards in Dublin. He spent 21 years in this work and travelled the length and breadth of Leinster / Dublin and beyond to seek support for the training of our seminarians. However, he did not confine himself to the FVC but constantly sought new ways of soliciting support for the Missions. If Fr Seán was asked to attend a gathering of any kind he’d often reply: “what’s in it for me?” [i.e. for the SMA]. And if his presence was required he’d take up a collection for the work of the SMA. He was never ‘behind the door’ at asking for support, from all and sundry, be it at a Bridge Convention [a game at which he excelled] or Trabolgan Holiday Centre where he spent a week every year or any other event to which he was invited.

Seán Hayes was a mighty worker, single-minded and 100% committed to all aspects of mission. Whatever work he was assigned to he was unstinting in his efforts to do it as best as possible. At times that made him challenging to live with. Seán expected the same commitment etc. of everyone else as he did of himself. He was extremely caring of the Head Sponsors and groups he worked with. It was far more than collecting money to pay for the education of students for the priesthood. More importantly his work was a pastoral ministry – Fr Seán was noted for his hospital visitation and to the sick in their homes, no matter where they were. Right up to recent weeks, despite his own increasing suffering, he was ‘out and about’ visiting people who asked his prayers or wanted to see him.

Eight years ago Fr Seán was diagnosed with cancer but he continued to do his work as well as undergoing regular treatment for his illness. In 2012 the decision was made that he would step aside from his work in Dublin and ‘retire’ to the African Missions House on Blackrock Road, Cork. It was the end of 54 active years in the service of the Society – 33 years in Africa [Nigeria and Liberia] and 21 years as FVC Director in the Leinster and Dublin areas. In his message to our supporters at that time he wrote: “You all have been wonderful, loyal and generous with me and the work. I will continue to remember you in my Masses. May God bless you and keep you well.” No doubt Seán will continue to pray for them from his place with God.

In latter years he took up painting and many people were gifted with them, be it an Icon, a miniature painting or a large pastoral scene, beautifully framed. Arriving in Cork in early 2013 Fr Seán lived with his illness, resigned to his inevitable death but not lying down before it. One of Fr Seán’s greatest pastimes was playing Bridge and he was an accomplished player, well-known throughout the country. One of his Bridge partners remarked “Fr Seán was very competitive.” Up to recently he was still playing regularly as well as continuing his own pastoral activities.

Three weeks before his death Fr Seán went to Marymount Hospice for some assistance with pain management, intending to be there for just a week or so. However, the Lord had other plans and at 9.15 pm on Tuesday, 15 July, he gave up his soul to God, returning to the House of the Father. He will be buried, after Requiem Mass at the St Joseph’s SMA Church, Wilton on 18^th July 2014.

Sean’s three brothers, Michael, Patrick and Eugene survive him as well as his sisters-in-law, Collette and Anne. They mourn his passing as do his nephews, nieces, other relatives, friends and confreres in the Society of African Missions.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílís.

Read homily of Fr John Horgan at the Funeral Mass

The Society of African Missions in Ireland is mourning the death of Fr Michael McEgan, at the age of 80 years. Fr Michael died peacefully on Wednesday, 18 June 2014, in St Theresa’s Nursing Centre at the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork with the Community Leader, Fr Colum O’Shea and Fr Frank Meehan, his sister Bea. Also present was Fr Michael’s devoted carer, Margaret O’Regan and two members of the Nursing staff, Siobhan Humphreys and Alice Good.

Michael McEgan was fourth in a family of seven children born to Michael and Mary Ann (née O’Connor) in Ballyheigue, diocese of Kerry on 1 April 1934. He was baptised in St Mary’s, Ballyheigue on 4 April 1934 and confirmed in the same church on 6 June 1946. His primary and secondary schooling took place at Bouleenshee National School and St Patrick’s College, Causeway.

The McEgans were a solid Catholic family, with Michael having three aunts and a sister in Religious Life. It was no surprise then that, following his Leaving Certificate, he entered the SMA formation programme at Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway where he took his First Oath in the Society on 26 June 1954.

The class which started in Cloughballymore in 1953, of which Michael was later merged with part of the 1954 class. As a result Fr Michael’s 1960 Ordination class was one of the biggest ever as it composed members of the 1953 and some of the 1954 class.

Having the necessary qualifications he was sent to study in UCC, gaining a BA in Latin and Philosophy in 1957.

Along with his classmates he studied Theology at the African Missions, Dromantine, Newry from 1957 – 1961. He became a permanent member of the Society on 14 June 1960 and, along with 23 classmates, was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Colman on 21 December 1960 by Bishop Eugene O’Doherty.

After completing his theological studies Fr Michael was appointed to Ondo diocese where he served from 1961 until ill health forced his final return to Ireland in 1988. His first appointment was to the teaching staff of Annunciation College, Ikere-Ekiti where Fr Sean MacCarthy was the founding Principal. Despite his academic qualifications Fr Michael was soon to leave teaching behind (1965) and spend the rest of his active life in parish ministry, in Ondo and Cork & Ross dioceses.

He served in St Matthew’s Parish and St Patrick’s parish, both in Ondo Town. He also served in St Patrick’s Oka, St Francis, Owo and St Gregory’s, Ikare-Akoko as well the Sacred Heart Church, Sobe. He spent a brief period caring for St Stephen’s, Owo when it was vacant).

During his period in Sobe (1984 – 1988) he was noted for his care and concern for all but it was said of him that he was “very helpful and truly our solace during the ‘Ghana must go’ mass repatriation of immigrants from Nigeria.”

Fr Paul Ennin SMA was an Altar server in Sobe and he acknowledges the influence of Fr Michael in his decision to be a missionary priest in 1989. Fr Ennin was the first African elected to serve on the SMA General Council in Rome. Four of Fr Michael’s Altar servers are now priests. Surely a testament to the quiet gentle witness of a dedicated priest. 

On hearing of Fr Michael’s death, Fr Ennin wrote of him, “he was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin and the Rosary; he loved to visit families and parishioners, especially the sick! We will continue to pray for him.”

Increasing ill health forced Fr Michael to say a final ‘adieu’ to Sobe and Nigeria in 1988. He returned to Ireland and, after a period for recuperation Fr Michael was appointed to Ballyroe parish, in the diocese of Cork & Ross, living in Courtmacsherry. During his time there (October ’88 – June ’91) he endeared himself to the people, young and old, by his gentle and holy manner. Following his transfer to St Joseph’s SMA parish in Blackrock Road, a parishioner in Ballyroe wrote to the Irish Provincial Superior, Fr John Quinlan, stating that Fr Michael McEgan was “dedicated to his priestly duties, humble and sincere and his parishioners always came first.” Fr Michael was a great believer in ‘visitation’ – constantly visiting parishioners in their homes and those who were hospitalised or in Nursing Homes.

From 1991 until 2007 Fr Michael served in St Joseph’s SMA parish, Blackrock Road, first as Curate and, with ill health beginning to limit more and more his physical abilities, as Parish Assistant. He officially ‘left’ the parish in early 2007 and retired in Blackrock Road where he died peacefully. During his years of retirement Fr Michael was cared for by the staff in St Theresa’s and a great friend of his and the SMA, Miss Margaret O’Regan.

Fr Michael is deeply mourned by his sisters Anna O’Connor (USA), Kathleen Coyle (Canada), Mary Dineen (Ballyheigue), Bridie Davern (Midleton) and Sr Esther McEgan (RSM, USA), his brother Patrick (Ballyheigue), brother-in-law Tom Davern, nephews and nieces and Margaret O’Regan.

A gentle soul and a gentleman has gone home to God. May he rest in peace.

Fr Liam O’Callaghan died on 5 April 2014 at the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork in his 96th year and the 73rd of his priesthood. He was the oldest member of the Province.

His remains rested in Blackrock Road from Saturday afternoon, during which the Evening Prayer for the Dead were celebrated (5.30pm) and the Rosary recited (7pm).

Fr Eddie O’Connor, who worked for many years with Fr Liam in Kaduna Archdiocese, Nigeria, led the Prayers for the Dead at 5pm on Sunday before removal to St Joseph’s SMA Church in Wilton where Fr John O’Keeffe officiated at the Prayers for Fr Liam.

Fr Michael McCabe, SMA Provincial Leader, was the Principal Celebrant at the Concelebrated Mass at 12 noon on Monday, 7 April. Fr Michael gave a brief introduction at the start of the Mass:

“We gather here today as God’s family to bid farewell to our brother, Fr Liam, and accompany him with our prayers on his final journey home to his Father. Fr Liam died, as Scripture says of King David, “at a ripe old age having lived a long life richly blessed by the Lord.”

We thank God for Fr Liam’s generous offering of himself in the service of the Lord and of others all through his life. We also ask the Lord to console the members of his family and all those who were close to him and will miss him.

We welcome here today Fr Liam’s nieces, Gerrie and Mary, his grand nieces, Aislinn and Grace, his great grand nieces, Maeve and Carolynn. We also welcome Donald and David, his many friends, especially those from the parish of Knockaderry, visiting priests, including Fr Gerard Garrett, representing the Bishop of Limerick and Fr Edwin Irvin, PP of Knockaderry, and Sisters, especially the members of the OLA.

David, Donald and Aislinn during the Prayers of the Faithful.

We remember in this Eucharist the all the deceased members of Fr Liam’s family, his parents William and Catherine, his brothers, Denis and Jim, his sister Breda, and sister-in-law, Patsy.

Celebrating with me at the Altar are Archbishop Felix Alaba Job, recently-retired Archbishop of Ibadan, Nigeria, who is visiting his friends in Ireland at this time; Fr Eddie O’Connor SMA (who worked alongside Fr Liam in his latter years in Kaduna Archdiocese), Fr Muiris O’Connor (Limerick Diocese and who spent 8 years on mission in Kaduna with the SMA) and Fr Don Burke (Wilton Community).

From left: Frs Muiris O’Connor, Eddie O’Connor SMA, Archbishop Job, Frs Michael McCabe SMA and Don Burke SMA.

To prepare ourselves to celebrate worthily these sacred mysteries, we call to mind our sins and ask the Lord to forgive and heal us.”

The Readings for the Mass – from the Book of Wisdom, St Paul to the Romans – were read by Fr Liam’s nieces, Mary O’Leary and Ger O’Callaghan. Fr McCabe read from the Gospel of St Matthew. His nieces also brought the bread and wine for the Mass to the Altar at the Offertory time.

After his homily the Prayers of the Faithful were read by Fr Liam’s grand-niece, Aislinn, her father Donald O’Leary and her husband David.

Fr Liam’s niece, Ger O’Callaghan, paid a moving and heartfelt trbute to her late uncle on behalf of herself, her sister and all the family. She thanked in particular Fathers John O’Keeffe and Colum O’Shea for their care of her uncle during his years in Wilton and, since December 2013, in Blackrock Road.

After the Prayers of Commendation the concelebrating priests led the procession to the adjoining SMA community cemetery where Fr Liam was laid to rest. His senior brother is also buried there, having drowned in 1929 while saving a fellow seminarian at a popular swimming place on the Lee Fields, not far from Wilton.

Fr Muris O’Connor led the mourners in a decade of the Rosary as the rain began to fall. One could imagine Fr Liam, who had a gentle sense of humor, smiling at everyone gathered round his grave. After the final prayers all were invited back to the community dining room for lunch.

The Society of African Missions in Ireland is mourning the death of its most senior member and priest, Fr Liam O’Callaghan, at the age of 95 years of age. Fr Liam died peacefully on Saturday, 5 April 2014, in St Theresa’s Nursing Centre at the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork with Fr Colum O’Shea, Fr Eddie O’Connor and some of the Nusing staff gathered around him.

Liam O’Callaghan was the youngest of four children born to William and Catherine O’Callaghan (née Mahoney) in Upton, Co Cork. He was baptised in Innishannon Parish and confirmed in St Finbarr’s West, Cork City. His brother Denis, an SMA seminarian, was drowned in an accident trying to save a fellow seminarian in 1929. He is buried in the same cemetery as Fr Liam will be next Monday, 7 April. His other brother, Jim, and only sister Breeda also predeceased him. In childhood the family moved from Upton to Bishopstown and shortly thereafter came to live in the Lodge of the African Missions College at Wilton.

Liam did his primary schooling at Glasheen National School and then went on to the Christian Brothers (Sullivan’s Quay) and the Presentation Brothers (Western Road). Like his older brother Liam also wanted to be a missionary. Living in the shadow of the African Missions College he often met with different priests and heard of their lives in Africa. In particular he got to know Fr Maurice Slattery, a Kerryman, who became Provincial and later SMA Superior General. Liam also served Mass for Fr Stephen Kyne, who had served as the first Prefect Apostolic of Liberia (1906) and later appointed as the first Provincial Superior of the Irish Province (1912). With such influences on him Liam decided to enter the SMA Novitiate in Cloughballymore, Co Galway in 1936. He became a member of the Society on 29 June 1938 and then travelled north to the African Missions Major seminary at Dromantine near Newry, Co Down where he completed his studies. He became a permanent SMA member on 14 June 1941 and was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Saints Patrick & Colman, Newry by Bishop Edward Mulhern on 14 December 1941, six days short of his 23rd birthday.

1941 Ordination class – Fr Liam is second on left in the back row

Due to the disruption caused by the Second World War Fr Liam and his classmates were unable to travel (by boat from Liverpool) to Nigeria until 1943. They were sent home to their families until a berth became available.

They embarked on Ash Wednesday 1943 and arrived at Apapa (Lagos) on 6 May, after spending six weeks in Sierra Leone, where Bishop de Brésillac, SMA Founder, had died after just six weeks in Africa (25 June 1856). When he eventually arrived in Nigeria he proceeded by train overland to Kaduna where he was to serve for thirty-seven years. The Prefecture of Kaduna covered 200,000 sq kms, more than twice the size of Ireland.

On left a bearded Fr Liam with a Nigerian diocesan priest and, below, Fr Liam baptising a baby in Kano [1945].

His first appointment was to Fr Michael Moorehead SMA and when Fr Liam retired to Wilton (1993) he found Fr Moorehead there before him! No doubt they had many happy memories to discuss.

The main mission stations of Kano, Zaria, Kaduna and Minna catered almost entirely for a population of Southern Catholics while Argungu in Sokoto Province, Gawu and Masuga in Niger Province, were opened with hopes of evangelising the rural people. In Liam’s first tour he worked in 5 parishes, including Masuga and Argungu, and spent most of his second tour in Masuga.

In Minna Fr Liam had a Mission Boy named Christopher Abba. He sent him to school and eventually he was to see a young Father Abba becoming the first bishop of Minna diocese when it was created in 1973. Bishop Abba was later transferred to serve as Bishop of Yola. He died in 2010. May he welcome his former ‘Fada’ into the joy of eternal life.

Six of the parishes where Fr Liam served in this vast Prefecture are now dioceses in their own right: Kaduna [Archdiocese], Kano, Kontagora [Vicariate], Minna, Sokoto, Zaria. Surely God has blest the efforts of Fr Liam and many other missionaries as well as local catechists and priests in this part of His Vineyard.

The homily of Fr Eddie O’Connor SMA when the Society celebrated Liam’s Platinum Jubilee (70 years as a priest) gives an excellent description of Fr Liam’s missionary life in Africa. It is an excellent account of his years in Nigeria and the faith which underpinned it. Read Fr Liam’s life in Nigeria. Fr Liam was only the second Irish SMA to reach 70 years as a priest; the other was the late Bishop Patrick J Kelly (from Co Galway).

In 1943, shortly after arriving in Kaduna, Fr Liam attended the annual Priest’s Retreat.
He is on the extreme right, back row.

On 8 February 1959 a classmate of Fr Liam’s, Fr Richard Finn, was ordained Bishop of Ibadan and he travelled south for the ceremony. He is pictured on the extreme left in the front row.

Ill health in the late 70’s eventually led Liam to return home finally from Africa. In 1989, after a time spent recovering his health, he went to work in Knockaderry parish in the diocese of Limerick where he spent 13 very happy years. He was greatly appreciated by the people of Cloncogh and Knockaderry for his diligent and faithful service.

From 1993 – 2013 Fr Liam lived in active retirement in the African Missions, Wilton where his ‘green fingers’ (even remarked upon in reports from his student days) helped to beautify the grounds.

Fr Liam loved a smoke and could often be found having a few puffs in the conservatory in Blackrock Road, right up to his final weeks. On one occasion when asked for a light he produced four lighters from his pockets! (pictured)

In 2013 he crossed the city to live in our Nursing Centre in Blackrock Road and right up to this week was attending the 10.30am Mass each day and going to the Dining room for his meals. So, after a long life, well-lived and enjoyed, Fr Liam has gone to his eternal reward.

May he rest in peace.