There is always sadness when a family member or a member of a community dies, particularly at Christmas time, writes Fr Pat Raleigh. This Christmas the Columbans in Ireland are mourning the loss of four priests.
On Friday 30th December 2022, when we were coming to terms with the unexpected death of Austin McGuinness and Michael Irwin, the news broke that two more Columbans had died within a short time of each other: Michael Doohan and Gerry Cotter.
RIP Fr Michael Irwin – 22nd December 2022
RIP Fr Austin McGuinness – 29th December 2022
RIP Fr Michael Doohan – 30th December 2022
RIP Fr Jerry Cotter – 30th December 2022
On Christmas Eve we bid our farewells to Michael Irwin in awful weather conditions – bleak and plenty of rain, but thankfully no snow like they have in Canada and the USA.
Alo Connaughton was the chief celebrant of the Funeral Mass. He was joined at the altar by Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick and Ray Husband, Regional Director of the Columbans in Ireland.
A former diocesan priest in the Diocese of Limerick, it was very fitting that Bishop Brendan was present for Michael’s funeral and we were very grateful for his presence. It was a tribute to Michael that many of his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and extended family were present. It was a long journey for them particularly in very poor weather conditions.
Alo Connaughton had worked with Michael in Chile. Alo emphasised that Michael lived a radical live of simplicity not only in Chile and Peru but also in the various parishes in the Limerick Diocese when he returned to Ireland from Chile.
He was a gentle and quiet man, who was insightful and deeply loved by people.
While in Chile he lived through the very oppressive years of the Pinochet regime. The people of the various parishes where he served had a great respect for him for his faithfulness. He was an excellent listener and a very good communicator, especially with children. He would feel very much at home with the Desert Fathers. His quiet and unobtrusive presence will be missed by so many.
Austin McGuinness died on Thursday 29th December in Dalgan Park. While he wasn’t in the best of health for some time, his death came as a shock to us and to his family and friends.
Austin was ordained on 21 December 1965. He was a native Clonard, Co Meath. He spent a number of years in Korea and was involved in hospital ministry and pastoral work in Ireland.
Austin was charming and was greatly appreciated by patients in hospital and residents in nursing homes he visited. He was also extremely generous in supporting various projects. He will be greatly missed in Dalgan and by his family. He will be laid to rest in the Community Cemetery in Dalgan this coming Tuesday, 3rd January 2023 after 11am Mass.
Michael Doohan, (class of 1952), who recently celebrated 70 years of ordination, died at St Columban’s Nursing Home in Dalgan. Michael had been ill for some time.
A native of The Hand in Co Clare, he spent his entire missionary life in Negros Occidental in the Philippines. He was a great entrepreneur and was involved in so many different projects that benefited the poor especially.
He was a great believer in appreciating the gifts of people. He was the brother of the late John, also a Columban and Sr Philomena, a Columban Sister. His late sister Mary Doohan of the Little Way Association will be fondly remembered by many Columbans and others who greatly benefited from the generosity of the Little Way.
Gerry Cotter, (class of 1954), died at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan. Gerry, until very recently, spent all his missionary life in Korea. A native of Cork, he had hoped to return to Korea, but this was not to be. A keen sailor, he was extremely active and was a very regular walker in Dalgan until very recently. Rosary beads were his constant companion on those walks. He had a lovely unassuming presence here in Dalgan.
Michael Irwin, Austin McGuinness, Michael Doohan and Gerry Cotter will be sadly missed not only by Columbans but by their families and friends and especially by the people in the Philippines, Chile and Korea.
We thank all four for their wonderful and faithful service to God’s mission. Deepest sympathies to their families.
May they rest in peace.