BISHOPS

Bishops Moyvane- Knockanure.

Archbishop Edward Carmody, Born 1934, son of Michael Carmody and Mary Stack., ordained in Carlow in 1957. Appointed Bishop of Tyler in 1992, appointed Archbishop of Corpus Christi Texas 2000.

Archbishop E. J. Fitzmaurice, born in Leitrim, Moyvane in 1881 son of Willian Fitzmaurice and Johanna Costelloe, ordained in 1904, appointed Bishop of Wilmington Del. Appointed titular archbishop in 1960, died in 1962.

Bishop John E. Fitzmaurice uncle of above born in 1840, ordained in 1862,appointed Bishop of Erie in 1899 he died in 1920.

Bishop James Moore born in 1832 at Keylod Moyvane son of Patrick Moore and Alice Dunne appointed Bishop of Ballarat, Australia in 1884 he died in 1904

Bishop Collins CSSR born Moyvane in 1921 son of Michael Collins and Catherine O'Connor, Bishop of Mircena Brazil.

 

 

Fr Mathew



The great temperance campaign of Fr Mathew from 1839 to 1856 was a great success. It was said of him he achieved a great social Revolution where no blood was shed no desolation no widow or orphan tears. Temperance societies were Est. in every parish. Temperance Bands and Festivals were organised and Profits were used to Temperance Halls. The words of the pledge. I Promise by divine assistance to abstain from all Alcoholic Liquor and to prevent as much as possible Drunkenness in others.Fr Mathew was proud to have in the ranks of his Society people of every class and rank in life from the highest to the lowest of all political opinion and Religious Creeds. He said in his speech little do even pious people imagine after dining on tables groaning with the weight of costly viands and drinking their wine. That they are swallowing down the food of the hungry the clothes and the house of the homeless. In 1840 about 50,000 in Kerry took the pledge. The annual consumption of spirits C 1837 was 11.5 million gals the Temperance movement by 1842 had reduced consumption to less than 5.5 million gals.

Fr Mathew went to England and Scotland in 1843 he arrived in USA in July 2nd 1849 were he spent 2.5 years. He gave the pledge in over 300 town in the USA.Fr Mathew came to Newtownsandes on Sunday 10 of Oct 1841. The Kerry Examiner gave a list of people who donated Money to Moyvane(Newtownsandes) New Church on the day of Fr Mathew visit:

Rev T Mathew gave £25.25. P Cheevers Listowel £4. Knight of Glin £1. R.Q Sleemon Glin £1. Rev TL McDonnell Listowel £2. A Murry Listowel £1. James O Halloran Colnaleen Listowel 50p. Rev Lyddy PP Abbyfeale £1. Rev D Leahy Glin 50p. Rev. B. M. Maher P.P. Glin £1. William o Leary Glin £1. Miss Sergent.

Priests Moyvane- Knockanure.

Moyvane Village.

Fr Tom McElligott DD, died in 1967

Fr Edward McElligott, ordained in Carlow in 1939,was in Kenya from 1951 to 1954, died in 1982 (a Kiltegan father)

Fr Patrick Collins, Salesian died on the 27-3-1969.
Fr John Shine PP ordained in 1947 for the Kerry diocese
Fr Myles Kearney, ordained in 1938 for New Orleans, died July 1979.
Fr Myles Kearney (nephew of above) ordained in 1971.
Fr Thade Enright, born in 1857,buried in Murhur cemetery in 1892.
Fr Denis Buckley, Millhill father, ordainin in 1849, worked in Kenya and New York Died 24-1-1992
Fr Michael Buckley brother of above .
Fr Patrick Cunningham son of Maurice Cunningham and Mary Ann Foran . Ordained 1929 , was in New Orleans died in 1984 aged 81yrs .
Fr James Cunningham brother of above 1913 - 1966 . Ord. 1939 .
Fr John Shanahan SJ was in New Orleans in 1902 . When Br Austin Shanahan died at Presentation Monastery Cork , Ireland .
INCHAMORE
Fr Shanahan . Died in United States c 1970 .
AUGHRIM
Fr Con Hanrahan worked all his Ministry in Melbourne Diocese d 1945
LEITRIM
Fr Joseph Walsh, Mill- Hill, born in 1924,son of Maurice Walsh and Mary Hanrahan, ordained in 1949.
Fr Walsh (uncle of above)
Fr Maurice Kissane, his mother Walsh.
Fr Edmond J. Kissane, ordained in 1919, died in 1973, Syracuse U.S.A.
Fr Patrick Ahern, born in 1932, son of John Ahern and Mgt Walsh.
Fr Dan Ahern (brother of above) born in 1936, ordained in 1961.
Columban Fathers, Fiji.
Fr Michael Scanlon,entered AH in 1845, believed to be ordained by St John Neuman of Philadelphia.
Fr Maurice Kennelly, born in 1854, son of Daniel Kennelly and Catherine Mahony ordained in AH, died in U.S.A. in 1934
MURHUR
Fr James Kissane, born in 1928. Kerry diocese
Fr John Corridan, ordained in 1951 for Kerry, died in 1982.
Fr John Flaherty, (a great Moyvane footballer) works in Florida.
GLENNALAPPA
Fr Robert Nolan, son of Daniel Nolan and Mary Cox, ordained in 1887 died in 1901 in Iowa U.S.A.
Fr Michael F Nolan brother of (above) and Attended his Funeral in 1901.
Fr Michael Galvin born 1907 son of William Galvin and Mary Windle ordained 1933 in Carlow, died 1967 buried Moyvane Murhur Churchyard

 

PRIEST

 

Jan 10th Notes

 

Monsignor John Keeffe died Sunday December 30th, he came to Moyvane in November 1950 and was our Curate for two Years.

Monsignor John O Keeffe entered Maynooth in 1941 and has given a lifetime of service to the Diocese and its people.

 

April 4th 02 Notes

History: Fr Burke PP Newtownsandes wrote a letter on 25th March 1880 to The Kerry Evening Post in support of statements made by Fr O Sullivan PP Ballylongford in a previous issue of the paper. Fr Burke praised Mr Blacker Douglas a local landlord for his kindness ,liberality and excellence

 

Notes April 18th 02

 

Death has occurred of Fr James Galvin born 1918 in Dingle, he played midfield for Kerry Minors in 1936, was Ordained 1943 ten years later came as a Curate to the Parish where he put in Trojan work collecting for the Parish Church in Moyvane and attending to his Priestly Duties. Fr Galvin's uncle Fr Casey spent some time at Rockaway Beach with local man Fr John Stack of Gortdromasillihy . Fr James Galvin was laid to rest at Fossa Church on Tuesday last.

Death of Fr Tom Moore on April 12th 02, aged 95 years was a Priest in Adelaide from 1935 to 1986 retiring to Gurtenard Listowel after a long and busy ministry in South Australia . Fr Moore was born Kilmeaney son of William Moore and Margaret Flaherty he was predeceased by his brothers James, Michael , Bill and John, sisters Mary and Sr. Kathleen of the Presentation Tralee. Fr Tom Moore was laid to rest at Ahavoher following Requiem Mass in Listowel Church.

Prayers at the graveside were said by Fr Linnane assisted by Fr O Leary, Fr Nolan, Fr Shine and Fr Leahy .

 

 

July 4th 02 notes

Wednesday is feast of St Thomas who is said to have travelled to India. The Kerryman of June 18th 1932 reports on one of our own that went to India. Archbishop Kenealy of Simla India has arrived in Ireland for the Congress, he was born Monmountshire his father a Kerryman and his mother a Corkwoman.

 

 

 

Oct 17th 02 notes

Death has taken place of Bishop James Collins CSSR Bishop of Mircena Brazil, born 22nd of February 1921 son of Michael Collins and Catherine O Connor of Moyvane. He lost his mother who died leaving eight children when James was fourteen months. Testimony to their aunt who reared the family four members joined the religious life Bishop James, Fr Pat who died 1969, Brother Canice died 1957 and Sister Theophane. Requiem Mass for Bishop James was celebrated at the Redemptorists Church Limerick on Monday 6th of October in the presence of sixty priests and a large congregation of family and friends. Bishop James Collins was laid to rest in the Church Grounds after Mass.

Bishop James Collins was Ordained Priest 3rd of September 1944 made Bishop 14th September 1967 retired 14th of February 1996. The Diocese of Mircena has about 10,000 Catholics for each Priest. The late James F Nolan our local correspondent for the Kerryman always kept us up to date trough the notes of the important happenings in the life of Bishop James.

 

 

Oct 31st notes 02

Death has taken place on the 26th of October 02 of Fr Michael Stack retired Parish Priest of Ballydonoghue, born 12th of July 1915 son of Bob Stack and Mary Ann Lynch of Moyessa. Fr Stack was one of the last surviving Irish students who attended the Irish College in Salamanca he was ordained in 1940 and served in the Diocese till 1994. Fr Michael Stack was laid to rest in the Church Grounds Ballydonoghue following Requiem Mass attended by a great number of Priests, Sisters, relations and friends. His brother Bob and sister Joan predeceased Fr Stack. Mrs Bill Terence Mc Mahon of Gortaglanna was his aunt.

 

Dec 26th 02 Notes

 

Death: of Fr William Broderick born Coilagurteen son of Paddy Broderick and Ellen Hudson. His brother Sean, Patrick, Desmond and sister Maria survive Fr William, Tom, Edward and Brendan predeceased him. Fr William Broderick was Ordained for the Sacramento Diocese on the 5th of June 1947.

June 17th 04 Notes

Death: of Brother Hermes John O Connor of the De La Salle Order at Miguel House, Castletown, Co Laois. Br. Hermes born 80 years ago was son of Sony O Connor of Lisaniska and Ellen Riordan of Moyvane. Br. Hermes siblings were Peg , Mary and Davie who was a well known Accordion player. Michael O Connor of Lislaughtin and Athea is a cousin. Brother Hermes O Connor was laid to rest in the Community Cemetery Castletown on Saturday 5th of June 04 following Requiem Mass attended by a huge crowd of his friends and past pupils

 

 

FEB 17th 05 Notes

Death of Fr Daniel Griffin PP Brosna on February 12th 2005, Fr Dan is survived by his sister in law Esther Nephew John, house keeper Theresa Foley, he was laid to rest in the Church grounds Brosna. Fr Daniel Griffin is well remembered in the Parish as an outdoor man and a genial friend.

 

April 7th Notes 05

 

DEATH of Pope John Paul 11 on Saturday evening April 2nd on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday brought back many memories of the Popes life and work. When he solemnly consecrated the World to the Divine Mercy Pope John Paul said "Apart from the mercy of God there is no other hope for mankind". For most of us his visit to Ireland was the highlight of our lives, the Irish showed their affection for the first Pope to visit our country by flocking to meet him and decorate streets and houses with appropriate flags. It would be nice if the Churches and local libraries had a display of memorabilia on the life of our much loved Pope John Paul 11. The Pope was human like ourselves and will need our prayers and he in turn will intercede for us in our journey through life.

Oct 6 Notes 2005

DEATH of Mai Mc Mahon nee Hayes of Shrone, West Listowel on 18th September 05 she was predeceased by her husband Jerome, brothers Br. Bernard Hayes O.C.S.O Rosclea and Br. D.E. Hayes C.B., Baldoyle and is survived by sons Fr. Aidan C.S.sR. Rome, Bernard, Conleth, Thomas and Sean and Sister Kathleen Baker, her granduncles Fr John Leahy died in Sacramento in 1902 and Fr Jeremiah Leahy died in Petaluma California in 1915. Following requiem Mass in St Mary's Listowel Mai McMahon was laid to rest at St John's cemetery Ballybunion on 20th September 05. Mai was daughter of Denis Hayes and Katie McElligott of Carrigkerry and her maternal great grandparents Timothy Leahy and Ellen Goulding came from Knockanure.

 

 

DEATH of Fr Gerard Heffernan Holy Ghost Father took place on September 26th 05, he was born December 27th 1918 to Maurice Heffernan of Kilmorna and Elizabeth O Connor of Knocknagoshel. Fr Gerard is survived by his sister Mary Theresa Cantillon of Slough, and was predeceased by his brothers Kerry, Mossie, Dan, Nelie, Joe and Thomas. Fr Gerard went to CBS Synge Street, first entered Holy Ghost order 1938, was in Kimmage 1940 to'41, later went to Blackrock and was ordained on July 16th 1944, went to Kenya in 1945 where he spent 26 years, transferring to Long Island New York in 1971 and returned home in 1991 after a lifetime on the missions he retired to the old homestead in Kilmorna and finally went back to Kimmage where he died. About 40 priests attended his requiem Mass; Fr Gerard was laid to rest at Dardistown Cemetery, his mother Elizabeth who died in March 1946 first met her husband Maurice Heffernan in a hospital in Cork.

 

Jan 19 -06 notes

DEATH has taken place on January 9th 06 of Bishop Michael McAuliffe retired Bishop of Jefferson City, son of Jack McAuliffe of Lower Athea and Bridget Broderick of Knocknagorna, he is survived by brothers Joe and Bill, Jack and Larry predeceased him. Bishop McAuliffe's grandparents were Lawrence McAuliffe of Meenoline North and Catherine Wright of Gortnagloss

DEATH of Fr Kieran O Shea retired Parish Priest of Knocknagoshel came as a surprise and shock to all who knew him, Fr O Shea was a much loved pastor wherever he worked, as a historian he was like a beaver working away quietly producing works which will bring credit to his name for generations to come. Fr Kieran O Shea was Ordained in Maynooth in 1961 and was laid to rest beside the Bible Garden, a project he inspired in Knocknagoshel on Monday August 7th 06.

Notes April 12th 01
Kilmorna born Priest Monsignor Tom Moloney died 16th April 1986.
He went to San Diego in 1946. In 1955 his Bishop asked him to start a new Parish in Riverside where Fr Moloney Est. Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Church, supervised the construction of a new School, Convent Church and Rectory. His Grandmother was Hudson of Kilbaha.

2001 : Fr William Moloney born 160 yrs ago son of Tadhg Moloney and Kate Enright of Coilagurteen. Fr Moloney spent his life ministering on the Gold Dust Trails. He died at Sutter Creek 1903.

 

DILLON PATRICK

Born 17 March 1850
Ordained 25 June 1876
Died

Born - Janemount, Kerry, Ireland.
Seminary Education - Maynooth
Ordained - Maynooth.

1876 Seminary of Pastoral Theology
1877-1878 Mount Carmel, Salford.
1879 St Mary's Bolton.

PV1-159 states he was not affiliated. Not in 1880 Almanac, presumably recalled to his own Diocese.

DALY PATRICK

Born September 1857
Ordained 15 August 1881
Died 25 June 1910

Born at Duagh in Co Kerry, Ireland, Fr Daly was educated St Brendan's College, Killarney and the Irish College at Salamanca, Spain. With the permission of the Bishop of Kerry, he came to the Salford diocese in 1880 for five years, but was considered too young for ordination. He was ordained in 1881, and appointed assistant at St Anne, Blackburn, 1881-1888. He was then appointed founder rector of the new mission of St Joseph, Longsight, Manchester, which replaced the mass centre operating in the Industrial School founded by Fr Quick. In late 1909 his health gave way, and he died of a painful disease in June 1910. Fr Daly had a nephew and great nephew as priests in the Diocese.
23 Nov 2000

June 21st 01
Death of Fr Edward Godfrey born Farranfore son of James Godfrey and Elizabeth O Connor of The Hill Knockanure.Fr Edward is survived by Brothers Jim and Tom Sister Mary Shine, he was predeceased by brothers Fr Jerome CSSp and Dr Lawrence and sister Nancy Quinlan. Fr E Godfrey was Parish Priest of St Gregory's Liverpool. He was laid to rest at Rath Cemetery after a long life serving the Church.

 

FATHER WILLIAM CASEY
(1840- 1907)
Taken from Abbeyfeale Church Newsletter of December 06.

William Casey was born at Castlequarter in the parish of Kilbehenny Co. Limerick in December1840. The old parish records give his date of baptism as the 10th December 1840. Though situated in County Limerick, the parish belongs to the Diocese of Cashel and Emly. He was one of five children -Patrick, Owen William, Nora and Mary born to John Casey and Johanna Kiely who farmed on a roadside farm not far from the village of Kilbehenny. It is believed that his early education was at a local hedge school. He spent a short time at Mount Melleray School and went from there to St. Colman's College in Fermoy. It was through his education in the Diocesan College of St. Colman's that he was later ordained for the Diocese of Cloyne at Carlow College on the 2nd of July 1868.
William Casey's family background was that of a comfortable farming family. William Casey was a fine athlete, fond of weight throwing, running, jumping and all outdoor sports. He had achieved champion status in his own locality and in Carlow. Many events would have combined to influence his early years. Most likely he had heard of the cruelty inflicted on the Irish people by the anti-Catholic Penal Laws. The priests of that time were subjected to intense intimidation. On one such occasion the Parish Priest of the neighboring parish of Ballyporeen, Clogheen and Burncourt was hanged outside Clonmel jail on the 15th March 1766. He was Rev. Nicholas Sheehy. The Famine of 1847 and the misery endured by the less well off tenant farmers must also have left a lasting impression on the young William Casey. Another likely influence was the Young Ireland and Fenian movement and the Risings of 1848 and 1867.
At the time of William Casey's ordination there was a shortage of priests in the Diocese of Limerick. Bishop Butler of Limerick appealed to his friend Bishop William Keane, the Bishop of Cloyne for the loan of a priest to do temporary duty in a Limerick parish. Father William Casey was the priest who was loaned to the Diocese of Limerick. He came on temporary duty to Banogue in County Limerick soon after his ordination in 1868. Father Casey came on temporary duty to Abbeyfeale on the 6th January 1869, but returned to Banogue and Manister for a further term of temporary duty in 1870.
Father William Casey was appointed permanently to Abbeyfeale on the 18th November 1871, and there he remained until his death on the 29th December 1907. At the time of Father Casey's coming to Abbeyfeale the Parish Priest - Rev. Michael Coghlan was in poor health so a great lot of responsibility rested on the shoulders of Father Casey. He became very aware of the great injustices being perpetrated on the tenant farmers by grasping landlords who demanded exorbitant rents at a time when farm incomes were pitifully low. Another great champion of the under -privileged at that time was Michael Davitt, son of a Mayo emigrant. He had founded the Land League in Straide , Co. Mayo on the 17th April 1879. The Land League motto was the achievement of the 3 F's for landholders - Fair Rent, Free Sale and Fixity of Tenure. It was exactly what Father Casey of Abbeyfeale was fighting for. One of the earliest branches of the Land League was founded in Abbeyfeale on the 29th September 1879.
On the death of Rev. Michael Coghlan P.P. on the 14th June 1883, Father Casey was appointed P.P. of Abbeyfeale. The population of Abbeyfeale at that time was 4,700. This was soon reduced by a fever plague, which swept many people to an early death. Father Casey arranged for patients to be cared for in four Temporary Fever Hospitals. Both Father Casey and his curate Father Byrne contracted the disease but narrowly escaped death.
At that time evictions were a common occurrence. At one time over 50 tenants were evicted from the O'Grady estate in Ballaugh. Father Casey arranged for the provision of Land League huts where needed. These huts came from Dublin, ready to be assembled. One house in Abbeyfeale, which was used to accommodate those evicted, was known as "the eviction house". Evictions at Meenahela were also memorable, as the women there fought the bailiff and R.I.C. police with stone- filled stockings and succeeded in postponing the intended eviction.
Because of his early athletic experience, Father Casey soon turned his attention to the formation of an athletic club in Abbeyfeale. This was before the G.A.A. was founded. The founding of the G.A.A. was a great bonus to a man who valued so highly training in all forms of sport for the youth of Abbeyfeale. Soon his team of footballers was traveling to outside venues and competing successfully. A very useful ally at these matches was a newly- formed Brass Band. The Band accompanied the football team to all matches and acted as a sort of intimidating presence. The Brass Band was also called out on occasion when tempers were frayed at eviction time or when the local R.I.C. Barrack was under threat of attack. The Band's rousing marches were intended to instil fear in the hearts of their opponents. Father Casey was Chairman of the County Limerick Board of the G.A.A. He was also Chairman of the County Limerick Committee of Agriculture and Technical Education.
Because of the misery he saw among his parishioners, caused by the abuse of alcohol, Father Casey established a branch of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in Abbeyfeale. Using local labor, he organized the building of a Temperance Hall. Members of the Temperance group had their regular meetings here. The Hall was also used regularly for Band practice. Unfortunately, the Hall was burned to the ground by the Black and Tans on the 21st September 1920. Stored in the Hall were the Band instruments. Only the very few instruments, stored underground at the base of the Father Casey monument in the Square survived into the succeeding years. The fire marked the end of Father Casey's Band.
His great love for, and natural facility in speaking the Irish language soon found expression when he established a branch of the Gaelic League in Abbeyfeale Town.
Father Casey's life was characterized by great charity to the less well- off. It is related that he received a substantial legacy during his lifetime. This was soon dispersed among the deserving poor. It is also said that in his final illness, he prayed to be spared until the Christmas dues were paid as there was no money to defray his funeral expenses. His wish was granted. He died on the 29th December 1907 and was buried in St. Mary's Parish Church. On the 16th December 1968, prior to the demolition of this Church, the remains of Father Casey and three former Parish Priests were re-interred in St. Mary's Cemetery at the rear of the present St. Mary's Boys School. On the 29th December 1910, a monument to the memory of Father Casey was unveiled in Abbeyfeale Square by Bishop Murphy, Bishop of Mauritius and a native of Knocknagoshel. The memory of Father Casey and his outstanding contribution to the spiritual, physical and temporal well being of his parishioners is still strong in Abbeyfeale. Commemorating the centenary of his death is just one expression of their appreciation.

 

Died 31st Dec. 2003 Sr. Declan Buckley of Knockane, Listowel and Presentation Convent Killarney entered 1931, her sister Sr. Ambrose Buckley died Oct. 2003 she entered Presentation at Oakpark, Tralee 1938,

Cousins John was a Franciscan Brother in Killarney he died in 1901;
Fr Pat Buckley ord. 1891; Sr. Ambrose Buckley in Chicago; Fr Pat Buckley ord 1891; Fr Jeremiah and Fr Tom Buckley ord. Maynooth; Fr James Buckley ord. at Allhallows 1934.
Priests from Tarbert

Mothers name in brackets.

Fr De Coursey of Doonard House.
Fr Liam Murphy, CSSp ( Sheehan). Glencullare.
Fr Michael Murphy, OFM. (Sheehan) Glencullare.
Fr Mossie Flynn, Carmelite?. (Dowling) Glencullare.
Fr ? Foley Salesian of Pullen.
Fr Dan Finucane ord 1902 of Farranwana, died Killorglin Feb. 1964.
Fr Paddy and Fr Con Holly, both CSSp, (Colbert) of Tarbert.
Fr Liam Mulahy Tarbert and USA (O Connor).
Fr Tim Enright Doonard CSSp, (O Hanlon)
Fr Tim Buckley CSSP of Tarmons, ord. 1951.
Fr Martin Buckley CSSp, Tarmons ord. 1957.
Fr Timothy Buckley USA and Tarmons died 1977 ( O Connor).
Fr Jack Buckley USA.
Fr William Ahern of Kerry Diocese buried Tarbert, ord. 1900.
Fr John O Connor ord c 1950s Tarbert and England, O Connor).
Fr Philip O Connell, (O Connor) Kerry Diocese, ord. c 1950s, Nephew of Sr. Nancy O Connor, Loretto of India.
Fr Tom O Hanlon, Dooncaha, (Moran), ord. 1969. Columban.
Fr James O Hanlon, Dooncaha, ( Moran), ord.1965.
Fr willie Walsh Doonard, ( Collins) went to Australia.
Fr John Walsh, Doonard, ( Collins) went to Australia.
They had a Brother in India.
Fr James O Sullivan, Tarbert and USA
Fr J.E O Connor Tarbert died 1934.
Fr John Enright, Golden Jubilee June 2003.
Fr Richard Fitzmaurice of Tarbert, PP Kenmare 1819 to `38.
Fr William Burns O.M.I died Nov. 8th 1956.
Fr Michael Fallon of NSW his grandmother of Tarbert.
Fr John Naughton PP Boherbue d 1882.
Fr Andrew Stack ( O Connor) buried Tarbert.
Said that there were four priests of Mangan descent.

Tarbert Clergy
1770 Fr Maurice Hely Lislaughtin; 1770 Fr Tom Fitzmaurice, Ballylongford; Fr O Shea PP Ballylongford 1730;
1823 Fr Tom Mc Donogh1835 Fr Dan McCarthy; Fr John Enright, Tarbert/ Ballylongford; 1832 Fr O Connor, Tarbert/ Ballylongford; 1934 Fr Dan O Sullivan PP Ballylongford; 1834 Fr John Barry C.C. Tarbert/ Ballylongford; 1873 Fr Dan Harrington ord 1852; Check, Fr Pat Foley died 1869 , buried at Brewery Road Cemetery in Tralee . Fr Dan Foley P.P. Tarbert 1859- 1906; Fr Sean Martin 1906-`17; Fr Jeremiah O Connor 1917 died July 4th 1934; Fr Tom Courtaine 1934-`48; Fr Tom Supple 1949- 63, died aged 78 years, Born at Ballyheigue; Fr Michael Leahy; Fr John Maher.

Others
Fr James Charles O Connor son of James O Connor of the Spa who died 1819, his mother Betsy O Connell was sister in law of Daniel O Connell. The O Connors came from Tarbert.

Fr Paud O Brien, Roscrea, cousin of Cregans of Piermount.

Ancestors of Archbishop Walsh of Dublin are said to have come from Tarbert then to Clare and Dublin.

 

9:25pm - May 7th, 2008

Bishops and Priests
From Moyvane Parish

Bishops
Archbishop Edward Carmody, Born 1934, son of Michael Carmody and Mary Stack, Ordained in Carlow in 1957, Appointed Bishop of Tyler in 1992, and appointed Archbishop of Corpus Christi Texas 2000.
Archbishop E. J. Fitzmaurice, born in Leitrim, Moyvane, in 1881 son of William Fitzmaurice and Hannah Costelloe, Ordained in 1904, appointed Bishop of Wilrnington Del. Appointed titular Archbishop in 1960, died in 1962.

Bishop John J. Fitzmaurice uncle of the above born in 1840, Ordained in 1862, appointed Bishop of Erie in 1899, died in 1920.

Bishop James Moore, born in 1832 at Keylod, Moyvane, son of Patrick Moore and Alice Dunne. Appointed Bishop of Ballarat, Australia in 1884, died in 1904.

Bishop Collins CSSR, born in Moyvane 1921, son of Michael Collins and Catherine O'Connor, Bishop of Mircena, Brazil.

Moyvane Priests
MOYVANE VILLAGE:
Fr. Tom McElligott DD, died in 1967.
Fr. Edward McElligott. Ordained in Carlow in 1939, was in Kenya from 1951 to 1954, died in 1982 (a Kiltegan Father).
Fr. Patrick Collins, Salesian died on the 27th March 1969.
Fr. John Shine, P.P. Ordained in 1947 for the Kerry Diocese.
Fr. Myles Keamey. Ordained in 1938 for New Orleans, died July 1979.
Fr. Myles Keamey. Ordained in 1971 (nephew of above).
Fr. Thade Enright. Born in 1857, buried in Murhur Cemetery in 1892.
Fr. Denis Buckley. Ordained in 1849, worked in Kenya and New York, died 24th January 1992.
Fr. Michael Buckley. Brother of above.
Fr. Patrick. Cunningham. Ordained in 1929, son of Maurice Cunningham and Mary Ann Foran, was in the Diocese of New Orleans, died in 1984 aged 81 years.
Fr. James Cunningham. Ordained in 1939, (brother of the above). 1913-1966.
Fr. John Shanahan S.J. was in the Diocese of New Orleans in 1902. When Br. Austin Shanahan died at Presentation Monastery Cork, Ireland.

INCHAMORE:
Fr. Shanahan. Died in United States 1970.

AUGHRIM:
Fr. Con Hanrahan, worked in his Ministry in Melbourne Diocese 1949.

LEITRIM:
Fr. Joseph Walsh. Mill-Hill Fathers. Born in 1924, son of Maurice Walsh and Mary Hanrahan, Ordained in 1949.
Fr. Walsh (uncle of above).
Fr. Maurice Kissane, his mother was Walsh.
Fr. Edmond J. Kissane. Ordained in 1919, died in 1973. Syracuse U.S.A.
Fr. Patrick Ahern. Born in 1932. Son of John Ahern and Margaret Walsh.
Fr. Dan Ahern. (brother of above) Born in 1936. Ordained in 1961. Columban Fathers, Fiji.
Fr. Michael Scanlon. Entered AH.in 1845. Believed to be Ordained by St. John Newman of Philadelphia.
Fr. Maurice Kennelly. Born in 1854. Son of Daniel Kennelly and Catherine Mahony. Ordained in AH. Died in U.S.A. in 1934.

MURHUR:
Fr. James Kissane. Born in 1928. Kerry Diocese.
Fr. John Corridan. Ordained in 1951, Kerry Diocese. Died in 1982.
Fr. John Flaherty. (A great Moyvane Footballer), works in Florida.

GLENALAPPA:
Fr. Robert Nolan. Ordained in 1887. Died in 1901 in Iowa, U.S.A.. Son of Daniel Nolan and Mary Cox.
Fr. Michael F. Nolan. (brother of above) and attended his funeral in 1901.
Fr. Michael Galvin. Ordained 1933 in Carlow. Died 1967, buried in Murhur Churchyard, Moyvane. Son of William Galvin and Mary Windle.

GORTDROMASILIHY:
Fr. John Stack. Ordained for Kerry 1907. Went to USA. Ministered at Rockaway Beach. Celebrated his Golden Jubilee there.
Fr. William O'Connor. Ordained for Kerry in 1883. He had brothers Con and John. Died Parish Priest of Annascaul 1914.

KILBAHA:
Fr. Michael Kennelly. Son of Timothy Kennelly and Mary Jane Hanrahan. Built a fine school at Tampa, Florida.
Fr. William Kennelly, like his brother above was a member of the Jesuit Order. They had several granduncles Jesuits.
Fr. Timothy Hanrahan. Born c1890. Ordained for Harrisburg in 1919. Died the 16th October 1935.
Fr. Michael Hanrahan. Born 1933. Son of Patrick Hanrahan and Julia Shanahan. Ordained Kilkenny 1959. Ministered in Florida. Died 1999. Buried Ahavoher Cemetery, Moyvane.

MOHER:
Fr. John Scanlon. Ordained for Kerry. Died 1985. Buried Moyvane.

AHALAHANA:
Fr. Maurice Kennelly. Born in 1854. Son of Daniel Kennelly and Catherine Mahony. Ordained in 1879. Ministered in San Francisco USA. Died in 1934.
Fr. Richard Carr. Born in 1853. Died 23rd. May 1895 in Chiltern Australia.
Fr. John Collins. Born in 1869. Died in Melbourne, Australia in 1936. Son of William Collins and Mary Shanahan.

DROMURHUR:
Fr. Robert Stack. Born in 1849. Died in 1895 in Watertown USA. Son of Patrick Stack and Margaret Sullivan.
Fr. Edmond Stack (brother of above Robert). Ordained in 1890. Died in 1921.

SHRONEGRAGRA:
Fr. Gerard Stack. Ordained in 1873. Born in 1846. Died in 1906. Son of Maurice Stack and Catherine Larkin.

AUGHRIM:
Fr. Con. Hanrahan. Born 1892. Died in 1945 in Melbourne, Australia. Uncle of Denis Hanrahan.
Fr. Michael Mulvihill. Born 1847. Son of Patrick Mulvihill and Hanora Walsh.

Knockanure Priests
KILMORNA:
Fr. Francis Moore. Born 1813. Died in 1892 and is buried in Killarney. Date on his Headstone is 1882. Son of Patrick Moore and Mary O'Henry.
Fr. Thomas Moore. Ordained 1932 for Adelaide Diocese, Australia. Born 1907. Retired in 1986 and is living in Listowel.

TRIEN:
Fr. Thomas O'Sullivan. Ordained in 1920 in Carlow for Diocese of California. Died 1962.

LISANISKEA:
Fr. James Leahy. Ordained in 1937. Born 1919. Died in 1999 and is buried in Old Knockanure. Son of Thomas Leahy and Elizabeth Keane.
Fr. Michael Leahy. (brother of above James) Ordained in 1944. Is now retired Monsignor of Listowel.
Fr. Tom McMahon, one of the last Knockanure students in All Hallows, ministering in England.

KNOCKANURE VILLAGE:
Fr.Michael Carroll. Ordained Thurles 1934 for Cardiff. Son of Jeremiah Carroll and Mary O'Gorman.
Fr. Austin O'Callaghan. Ordained 8th June 1958. Died Curate of Irromore 1986. Son of Padraig O'Callaghon and Elizabeth Cronin.
Fr. Brendan O'Callaghan. Ordained 1960 (brother of above).

CARRUERAGH:
Fr. Patrick Larkin. Ordained 1916 for Wichita. Born 1892. Retired in 1954. Died 1980.
Fr. Patrick Larkin. Jnr. (nephew of above) Ordained 1955 at St. Kieran's for Kansas.
Fr. Con Nolan. Ordained at Wexford 1940 for Perth, Australia. Chaplain to St. John of God Hospital, Salvado Road, Subioco, Western Australia.

GORTDROMAGOWNA:
Fr. Luke O'Carroll. Born 1856. Died 1938 in Los Angeles in retirement.
Fr. Michael hunt. 1851. Son of Michael Hunt and Nora Mahony. Ordained for Hartford. Died there in 1912.
Fr. James Hunt. (brother of above Michael) Ordained 1871. Born 1848. Died 1912 in Sacramento.
Fr. Con O'Connor. 1847. Son of Con O'Connor and Margaret Leahy. Died 1898.
Fr. Michael O'Connor. Born 1855. Ordained for San Francisco.(brother of above Con.)
Fr. John o'Connor. Uncle of Jack Maggie O'Connor. Ordained c.1907.

COILAGURTEEN:
Fr. William Moloney. Ordained 1864. Ministered on the Gold Dust Trails. Born 1841. Died in 1903 in Sutter Creek. Son of Tadhg Moloney and Catherine Enright.
Fr. William Broderick. Ordained 5th June 1947.

KEYLOD:
Fr. Con Connor. Ordained 1945. Died 1989. Son of Patrick Connor and Nora Pierce. Born 1910.
Fr. John Connor. Ordained 1935. Died 1993. Ministered in Sacramento {brother of above)
Fr. Michael Connor. Ordained 1933. Born 1908. Ministered in Los Angeles. {brother of above)
Fr. Patrick Moore. Ordained 1863. Born 1834. Died 1880. Ministered in Melbourne Diocese. Son of Patrick Moore and Alice Dunne. Brother of Bishop James Moore.
Fr. Patrick Moore. Ordained in Killamey 1874. Born 1852. Died 3rd May 1879 at his mothers home. Son of Tom Moore and Bridget Madigan of Shanagolden area.
Fr. Thomas Austin Moore. Born 1842. Son of Michael Moore and Mary Naughton. Gave his position to Fr. Moore in Summer of 1877 and left Ballarat.
Fr. Patrick Michael Moore. Born 1840. {brother of above Thomas. Registered in Melbourne 1863. Died Ballarat c.1880.

OTHERS:
Fr. Foran. P.P. Prior died Ilth February 1906. Buried Murhur aged 56 years.
Fr. Michael Nolan. Born in Ardagh. Ordained 1896. Gives his Parish as Newtowndillon.
Fr. John O'Connoll. Died aged 36 years on 9th April 1822. Buried in Murhur.
Fr. John B. Cunningham. Died 17th July 1885. Ordained Louvin 26th June 1885. Buried in Murhur.

Bishop Edmond Carmody, the second of a family of thirteen children of Michael Carmody and Mary Stack, was born in Moyvane, County Kerry, Ireland, on January 12, 1934. In September of 1951, he entered the Major Seminary of St. Patrick in Carlow, where he was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of San Antonio on June 8, 1957. In 1983, Bishop Carmody went with the St. James Society as a Missionary to Latin America, where he worked for five years as a Missionary in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Only a few days before completing his five-year Missionary assignment there, he was called home by Archbishop Patrick Flores because Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio. He was ordained as a Bishop on December 15, 1988. Bishop Carmody served as Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio from 1988 until 1992. On May 25, 1992, he was installed Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. On February 3, 2000, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Carmody Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas. He was installed the seventh Bishop on March 17, 2000.

Dear Padraig, My compliments to you on your website - it's so well laid-out, professional-looking, and informative. I'm particularly interested in the information because I have Hanrahans (Kilbaha), Cunninghams (Kilbaha) and Finucanes (near Gale Bridge and in Ballybunion) in my family tree who may or may not be connected with your family. If you think there might be a connection I'd be very grateful if you would let me know. Starting with Hanrahans, my great-aunt, Brigid Shanahan (b. 1895) from Kilbaha married a Michael Hanrahan from Kilbaha. They had four children, Peggy (Holy Ghost sister in Nigeria), Mary (Holy Ghost sister in England and Dublin), Kathleen, and John (Jackie). Now on to Cunninghams, my great grandmother was a Johanna Cunningham from Kilbaha. Apparently her family owned a lot of land in Kilbaha. She married William O'Connor (probably from Kilbaha) and had four children: Mary, John (my grandfather, born 1875), Eddie, Patrick and Michael. Finally the Finucane connection: Mary O'Connor, above, the daughter of Johanna and William, married a William (Bill) Finucane. Mary (also known as Mainanne) and Bill lived near Gale Bridge near Moyvane. They had one daughter and seven sons, including a Paddy Finucane who may or may not be your Paddy Finucane. My Paddy Finucane was born perhaps between 1904 and 1910 and lived in Ballybunion. I know he remarried after his first wife died and that he and his second wife ran a guesthouse in Ballybunion, possibly called "Cliff House". He had four or five children from his first marriage. If anything above is familiar to you, could you respond to me here or at helen.oconnor@ireland.com. Thank you.

 

 

OBITUARY: Irish Times 2 Apr 1932
THE REV. GARRETT PIERSE, D.D.
The death of the Rev. Garrett Pierse, D.D.,
Professor of Dogmatic and Moral Theology
in St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, and
Prefect of the Dunboyne Establishment, took
place at Maynooth on Thursday morning.
Born at Ballybunion, County Kerry, in 1882,
Dr. Pierse was educated at St. Michael's
College, Listowel, and St. Brendan's Seminary,
Killarney, before he entered Maynooth, where
he took the Doctorate in Theology in 1909.
His studies there were followed by a post-
graduate course in the Universities of Munich
and Strassburg. He passed thence to St.
Paul, Minnesota, as Professor of Theology, a
post which he resigned in 1914, on his
appointment as Professor of Dogmatic and
Moral Theology at Maynooth. He had been
Prefect of the Dunboyne Establishment since
1923. The funeral takes place this morning
after Mass in the College Chapel.

 

KERRYMAN of April 5th 1919 reports death of local priest Fr Eugene Heffernan S.T.D. VF who was born at Kilmorna he was son of the late Mr T Heffernan shopkeeper. Fr Heffernan died at Tucson, Arizona, he was educated at St Michael's, Listowel and St Patrick's College in Carlow and later went to the Catholic University of America at Washington, Fr Eugene was only 38 years and is survived by his brother at Kilmorna.

 

Monday, March 9, 2009
The Bishop who started the National Shrine

Today in 1932 marks the death of Bishop Thomas J. Shahan (1857-1932), fourth Rector of The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Born to immigrant parents in New Hampshire, he studied for the priesthood in Montreal and in Rome, where he was ordained in 1882. While he was in Rome he earned a doctorate in theology. After a short time in parish work, Father Shahan was named Chancellor of the Diocese of Hartford. In 1888, he was invited to join the faculty of America's new pontifical university in the nation's capitol. Before going there he studied in Berlin and Paris. In 1891 he started teaching early Church History at Catholic University. Shahan was a major force behind the publication of the 1911 Catholic Encyclopedia (still an in valuable resource) and wrote over two hundred articles on it. In 1909 he was named university rector, and in 1914 he was named a bishop. (Until the 1960's, the CUA rectorship carried a bishop's rank with it. Presumably it still could.) As rector he oversaw the expansion of the faculty, the student body, and the campus buildings. He also started contruction on the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Among other things he was active in the creation of the American Catholic Historical Association, and served as President of the Catholic Educational Association for nineteen years. In 1928, Bishop Shahan retired after nineteen years at the helm of the university and died in 1932.

 

 

Friar Jim's Inbox

 

A modern-day version of the Franciscan coat of arms.
If you go into any of our Franciscan friaries, churches or convents, you will almost always find somewhere painted, hanging on a wall or over a doorway the Franciscan coat of arms. This holds true around the world as well as through the centuries. With the worldwide Franciscan family about to mark the 800th anniversary of its founding (see end of this E-spiration), it may be a good time to reflect on this important Franciscan image.

The Franciscan coat of arms often consists of a cross with two arms crossing each other and nailed to the cross-or at least with a cross in the background. One arm is that of Jesus Christ; the other is of St. Francis of Assisi. This image is a key identity badge for those who call themselves Franciscans. Even though I grew up with this familiar emblem, I didn't always consciously reflect about it a lot. Very likely, my thoughts went something like this: "Oh, yes, Francis received the stigmata (the five wounds of Christ) near the end of his life, revealing Francis' amazing identity with Christ and his suffering." Or perhaps my thoughts went in this direction: "Yes, Lord, suffering is a part of life, and like you and Francis, I must be ready to suffer." These are both meaningful responses to the centuries-old image.

Enter St. Bonaventure

In recent years, however, thanks especially to the writings of St. Bonaventure, I have come to a perspective that has an even richer meaning for me. A brief sketch of this great Franciscan friar might be helpful here. St. Bonaventure was born in Italy in 1218. He was about eight years old when St. Francis died in 1226. Bonaventure studied at the University of Paris and joined the Franciscans there. He went on to become a distinguished teacher at that famous university. His university career was cut short, however, when he was elected minister general of the Franciscan Order in 1257. Many consider him the second founder of the order because he helped save it from division and disintegration at a difficult period of its history.

Bonaventure was also a great spiritual writer who helped shape Franciscan spirituality down the centuries. Of course, the basis for his spirituality was St. Francis' own way of imitating Christ. One of the great books written by Bonaventure was his Life of St. Francis. In that book, Bonaventure highlights a mystical experience or vision Francis had in the early years of his conversion. The incident happened after he had found God by embracing a leper he met along the road.

Bonaventure tells us that, shortly after his encounter with the leper, Francis "began to seek out solitary places [where] he prayed incessantly with unutterable groanings.... One day while Francis was praying in a secluded spot and became totally absorbed in God through his extreme fervor, Jesus Christ appeared to him fastened to a cross. Francis' soul melted at the sight," writes Bonaventure, "and the memory of Christ's passion was so impressed on the innermost recesses of his heart that from that hour, whenever Christ's crucifixion came to his mind, he could scarcely contain his tears and sighs...."

This vision of God's all-out love for him-even to the point of dying on the cross-made a vivid impression on Francis. Other writers tell us that Francis was so overwhelmed by Christ's great love for him that the saint, overcome with emotion, ran about the countryside weeping and proclaiming: "Love is not loved! Love is not loved!" With these words, Francis was trying to tell everyone he met that God is madly in love with us, but we fail to respond with the same kind of burning love!

Francis Has a Repeat Experience of the Vision

Interestingly, Bonaventure notes that Francis, near the end of his life, had another experience of his earlier vision. This took place as he was praying intensely at Mount La Verna and about to receive the stigmata. Although earlier biographers had already recorded this Mount La Verna experience, Bonaventure, when he wrote about it, took care to set the dramatic scene in the context of Francis' intense and fervent style of prayer. Bonaventure writes that Francis, at this time, "burned with a stronger flame of heavenly desires" than usual. Bonaventure adds that "[Francis'] unquenchable fire of love for the good Jesus had been fanned into such a blaze of flames that many waters could not quench so powerful a love."

Here is Bonaventure's description of what then happened: "While Francis was praying on the mountainside, he saw a seraph with six fiery and shining wings descend from the height of heaven. And when in swift flight the Seraph had reached a spot in the air near the man of God, there appeared between the wings the figure of a man crucified, with his hands and feet extended in the form of a cross and fastened to a cross.... When Francis saw this, he was overwhelmed and his heart was flooded with a mixture of joy and sorrow. He rejoiced because of the gracious way Christ looked upon him under the appearance of the seraph, but the fact that he was fastened to a cross pierced his soul with a sword of compassionate sorrow." Bonaventure writes that when the vision ended it left in Francis' heart "a marvelous ardor and imprinted on his body markings that were no less marvelous." These markings, of course, were the stigmata.

Surely, the "fiery wings of the seraph" symbolize the flaming intensity of God's love communicated to Francis by the crucified Christ, and which, in turn, set Francis' heart on fire. As some of you may already know, the Franciscan Order is sometimes referred to as the seraphic order, because of the fiery style of love shared by both the seraph and St. Francis himself. To follow Francis is to imitate his seraphic way of relating to God.

And this brings us back to the image of the Franciscan coat of arms. The image is a true expression of both Jesus' and Francis' ardent style of love. We see in Jesus' crucified hand, first of all, God's incredible overflowing love for us. In Francis' wounded hand, in turn, we see the incredibly loving response of St. Francis to the burning love of God, who first loved us. All in all, the Franciscan coat of arms is a wonderful expression of the Franciscan ideal of love. Though we seldom live up to this ideal, it calls us to something most rare and splendid!

Franciscans Celebrate 800 Years of Their Founding

Next month, April 2009, the worldwide Franciscan Order is marking its 800th birthday in a special way. In the year 1209, St. Francis and his small group of followers-12 in all-journeyed from Assisi to Rome to seek approval for their way of life from Pope Innocent III. In response, the Holy Father gave them oral approval for their form of life. He also granted them permission to go about preaching popular sermons of an inspiring nature.

During Easter Week, April 15-18, Franciscan representatives from all over the world have been invited to Assisi and Castelgandolfo, the pope's villa outside Rome, to celebrate
the 8th centenary of their beginning (1209-2009). A culmination of these events will take place on April 18 during an audience with Pope Benedict XVI at Castelgandolfo. During this special audience, Franciscan leaders will renew their profession in the hands of the Holy Father. Various branches of the worldwide Franciscan family have been invited to participate in this celebration with the Holy Father.

The Franciscan coat of arms is, indeed, a very inspiring image for us to ponder as we observe the 800th anniversary of our founding!

 

Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Bishop Who Defied Hitler

Today marks the death of a German Bishop who spoke out against the Nazi regime, Cardinal Clemens August von Galen (1878-1946). Born to an aristocratic family in Oldenburg, he studied for the Diocese of Münster and was ordained in 1904. As a young parish priest he was noted for his care of the poor and outcasts. In 1933, Father von Galen was named Bishop of Münster. His episcopal motto was Nec laudibus, nec timore ("Neither praise nor threats will distance me from God"), and he meant it. One of his first pastoral letters attacked the "neopaganism of the National Socialist ideology." In 1937, Pope Pius XI consulted with him before publishing the encyclical Mit brennender Sorge. It was widely circulated by Bishop von Galen, notwithstanding Nazi opposition. In the summer of 1941, in answer to unwarranted attacks by the National Socialists, the "Lion of Münster" delivered three admonitory sermons against the situation in Germany under the Nazis. Von Galen believed that as a bishop, it was his duty to speak clearly and plainly about what was happening: this was not "merely a Catholic concern about which I speak to you publicly today, but a Christian, yes a human and national, a religious matter." He spoke out against the State confiscation of Church property and programmatic euthanasia. The strength of these speeches and the unshakable fidelity of Münster's Catholics embarrassed the Nazi regime, but von Galen's popularity may have saved him. They allowed him free speech without any censorship. The sermons were reproduced and sent all over Germany to families, and to German soldiers on the front. After the war Pope Pius XII named him a Cardinal. He was beatified in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI.
Posted by Pat McNamara at 6:19 AM
Labels: Cardinals, Church and Fascism, World War II

 

FATHER DANIEL O'SULLIVAN

1846-1928

 

 

 

The Founding Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was born in Listowel, Co Kerry, Ireland on March 19,1846, the fourth child of Eugene (Owen) O'Sullivan and Margaret Nolan. He was one of nine children, two girls and seven boys.

 

He received his first education at Mr Leahy's School in Listowel and studied theology at All Hallows Major Seminary in Dublin. Fr O'Sullivan was ordained on June 24, 1871, in All Hallows Chapel by Bishop William Whelan, O.C.D., retired Vicar Apostolic of Bombay, India. Being ordained for the Diocese of Grass Valley, he left for California in August of 1871.

 

1871-1872 Pastor of St Joseph, Crescent City.

1872-1878 Founding Pastor of Immaculate Conception, Smartsville, California.

1878-1881 Assistant at St Mary's in the Mountains, Virginia City, Navada.

1881-1883 Second Pastor of St Mary's in the Mountains and Vicar General for Northern Nevada after the first pastor of St. Mary's, Father Patrick Manogue, was named Bishop of Grass Valley.

1883-1887 Pastor of St. Anthony, Mendocino, California.

 

 

The month of May, 1886, was to have a great influence in his life. On May 7 he became a United States citizen in ceremonies in Ukiah Superior Court, Mendocino County. On May 28 the Diocese of Grass Valley was transferred to Sacramento, and all the parishes along the coast as far north as Fort Bragg became part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Father O'Sullivan thus found himself a priestof this archdiocese.

 

1887-1896 Founding Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Redwood City.

 

 

Father O'Sullivan was appointed Pastor of the Mission San Jose on June 15, 1896. However, he never served as pastor and there is a gap in our knowledge of his life until the beginning of 1898.

 

1898-1928 Pastor of All Hallows Parish in San Francisco.

 

Father Daniel O'Sullivan died on February 3, 1928 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, where a large monument stands in his memory.

Saturday, March 14, 2009
"Spiritually we are all Semites."

Today in 1937 marks the day that Pope Pius XI issued his encyclical condemning Nazi national and racial theories, Mit brennender sorge ("with burning anxiety"). In 1933 the Holy See had signed a Concordat with Nazi Germany, but the Church's relationship with the Nazis was never a pleasant or an easy one. Historian Eamon Duffy writes: "Pius XI viewed with horror the claims of the dictatorship to the absolute submission of their subjects, and he detested the racial doctrine which underlay Nazism." By 1937, the Vatican had evidence of Nazi attacks on the Church's freedom of movement in Germany. Pius XI's encyclical had to be smuggled into Germany. It denounced specific government actions against the Church in violation of the 1933 Concordat, and it went on to condemn the "idolatrous cult" with its "national religion" and its "myth of race and blood." While affirming the validity of the Hebrew Scriptures, he stressed that the Church was a home "for all peoples and all nations." The encyclical certainly dispelled the myth of a Fascist pope, and in 1938 Pius declared, "Spiritually we are all Semites." Before his death he was planning to issue and encyclical condemning anti-Semitism. When Benito Mussolini heard of the pontiff's passing, he said, "At last, that stubborn old man is dead."
Posted by Pat McNamara at 12:13 AM
Labels: Church and Fascism, Popes

Pius XII. A Book and an Essay Shed Light on the Black Legend
The image of Pacelli as "Hitler's pope" is contested by a growing number of scholars. There were many responsible for creating this image, including Catholics. But Soviet propaganda was decisive. A Jesuit historian reveals the strategy

by Sandro Magister

 

 

 

ROME, April 3, 2009 - Recently the Vatican has produced two new texts in defense of Pius XII, the most controversial pope of the 20th century. Both of them are aimed at dismantling the "black legend" about him.

The first is a book that went on sale in Italy yesterday, printed by a non-Catholic publishing house, Marsilio, and written by authors who are also of various cultural and religious backgrounds, including two Jews - but all of whom agree in exonerating pope Eugenio Pacelli.

The second contribution is the essay that opens the latest issue of "La Civiltà Cattolica," the journal that is examined by the secretariat of state before publication. Its author is Jesuit Fr. Giovanni Sale, an historian who specializes in the 20th century Church. Here as well, the title goes to the heart of the question: "The birth of the black legend of Pius XII."

***

The book, entitled "In difesa di Pio XII. Le ragioni della storia [In defense of Pius XII. Historical arguments]," presents in a more elaborate and extensive form writings that were published in recent months in the newspaper of the Holy See, "L'Osservatore Romano."

The authors are, in order: Paolo Mieli, a history scholar and director of "Corriere della Sera," the leading secular Italian newspaper; Saul Israel, a biologist and writer who was sheltered in a convent in Rome during the German occupation; Andrea Riccardi, a professor of contemporary history and the author of the 2008 book "L'inverno più lungo, 1943-1944. Pio XII, gli ebrei e i nazisti a Roma [The longest winter, 1953-1944. Pius XII, the Jews, and the Nazis in Rome]"; Archbishop Rino Fisichella, rector of the Pontifical Lateran University; Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the pontifical council for culture; Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. The volume concludes with Benedict XVI's speech on November 8, 2008, to a conference on "The legacy of Pius XII's magisterium."

In the introduction, Giovanni Maria Vian, the editor of the book and the director of "L'Osservatore Romano," points out that the bad image of Pius XII took hold on a worldwide level during the 1960's, a few years after Pius XII had died amid almost universal respect.

At first, the Church of Rome reacted in two ways. First of all, in June of 1963, with a letter in defense of Pius XII written to the English Catholic weekly "The Tablet" by then-cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini, who would soon be elected pope. Vian quotes extensive passages from this letter. And then there was the publication of twelve large volumes of documents from the wartime period, taken from the Vatican archives of the time, which are still not open to complete public consultation.

But the "black legend" of Pacelli as Hitler's friend was born long before the 1960's. Vian recalls that "questions and accusations over the silence and apparent indifference of Pius XII in the face of the impending tragedies and the horrors of the war had come from Catholics like Emmanuel Mounier already in 1939, during the first weeks of the pontificate."

Vian provided a more detailed reconstruction of this Catholic prehistory of the "black legend" in an essay in "Archivum Historiae Pontificiae" in 2004, subsequently published by www.chiesa.

Giovanni Sale, in the essay published in the latest issue of "La Civiltà Cattolica," also makes reference to those "Catholic-social" circles which, already during the 1940's, were accusing Pius XII of silent complicity with the Nazi atrocities. And he quotes the Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain, who at the time was France's ambassador to the Holy See.

But in addition to its presence in part of the Catholic intelligentsia, and more significantly, the "black legend" of Pius XII had its precursor in Soviet propaganda during and after the war.

And it is to this propaganda that Fr. Sale dedicates his latest essay on this topic. In it, he adds new information beyond what he has highlighted in previous essays, and in particular in an article in "La Civiltà Cattolica" in 2005.

The following is an extensive extract from Fr. Sale's article, published in "La Civiltà Cattolica" on March 21, 2009, about how the communist world molded the image of Pacelli as Hitler's friend.

It was an image destined to meet with great success during the 1960's and afterward, but is now on the decline, contested by a growing number of scholars.

The birth of the "black legend" of Pius XII

by Giovanni Sale

The "black legend" of a pope who was a friend of Hitler and a supporter of totalitarian regimes was not born, as is often maintained, in Jewish circles, in response to the presumed silence of Pius XII on the Holocaust, but in the communist world, in the period during which, shortly before the end of the second world war, the division of the world into two opposing blocs was approaching, one under Soviet influence and the other under that of the United States. [...]

From the sources, it emerges that the "accusation" of Pius XII as a friend of Hitler, Mussolini, and other fascist dictators predates the scorching and even more controversial accusation of the pope's silence over the extermination of Jews in Europe. [...] In reality, the perception of this extermination and its theoretical elaboration, which were lightly developed in the years just after the war, made headway only beginning in the 1960's. The events surrounding the Eichmann trial [in 1961, held in Jerusalem], and his execution in 1962 made a noteworthy contribution to making the genocide of the European Jews the founding event, from the moral point of view, of the state of Israel. In this regard, the historian and diplomat Sergio Romano writes: "Up until that moment, the essential elements of Israeli identity had been the Zionist saga, the laborious progress of the Jewish presence in Palestine, the fight for life, the victorious war against the Arab states [...]. The Eichmann case changed the picture and contributed to making Jewish genocide the cornerstone of Israel. The state of pioneers and farmer-soldiers was thus replaced, in collective self-representation, with the state of victims and their heirs."

The play "The Deputy" by Rolf Hochhuth, performed for the first time in Paris in 1963, spread among intellectuals and the wider public the accusation of a pope who was silent and indifferent toward the fate of the Jews; of a pope who, out of fear of the atheistic and revolutionary communism, had aligned himself with the dictators of his time. In this way, Pius XII was called before the tribunal of history, to the roll of those charged in the offense of the Holocaust; this call of "co-defendant" extended, beyond Germany, the field of responsibility for what happened to the "hated and despised" Jews in Christian Europe. Anti-Catholic historical literature then had a field day creating the legend of a silent pope who was Hitler's friend; this literature has had great success in recent years in the English-speaking world, but today has been subjected to serious and well thought-out historical criticism. These events, moreover, were and still are exploited by the most radical and intransigent form of Judaism, interested in keeping alive, for reasons that were more political than intellectual, an old dispute with the Catholic Church for its anti-Judaism, upheld by many Catholics until Vatican Council II. The recent position statements by the Jewish world on the beatification process for Pius XII is situated in this climate of undue pressure on the Holy See.

The events to which we have just made reference are situated within the international historical context of the 1960's, still dominated by the logic of the cold war, when Pius XII had already died and the see of Peter was occupied by a pontiff, John XXIII, whose friendly charisma had won over even many nonbelievers in just a few years. Pius XII himself, during his long and difficult pontificate, was greatly loved and venerated by Catholics all over the world, and respected by the leading personalities of the day. The news of his death, on October 9, 1958, was received everywhere with great emotion and personal participation. Statesmen, diplomats, religious leaders of various faiths sent messages of condolence to the Vatican, emphasizing the tremendous work the pope had done during the conflict on behalf of peace, and above all the humanitarian contribution made by the Holy See in order to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the war, in particular the Jews, who had been persecuted in most European countries. [...]

***

What was Pius XII's attitude during wartime toward Soviet Russia, which beginning in 1941 was part of the Allied bloc? It must be remembered above all that during the conflict, according to the long-standing tradition of the Holy See, he held an attitude of formal neutrality toward the parties at war, all the more so in that both sides were nations and peoples of ancient Christian and Catholic tradition. Some events whose authenticity cannot be brought into question - for example, the role that the pope played in putting some representatives of the anti-Nazi resistance into contact with representatives of the London government - lead us to think that Pius XII must have desired the overthrow of Hitler's regime in Germany, and the reestablishing of democracy in that country, which he loved. [...]

In any case, the pope clearly warned of the so-called "red menace," especially during the last months of the war. [...] The change in the presidency of the United States in the spring of 1945 (F.D. Roosevelt died on April 12, and was succeeded by H.S. Truman) made the Vatican hope for a change in U.S. foreign policy, which was considered excessively benevolent toward Moscow, and a greater awareness of the "communist threat" in Europe. [...] In fact, Truman immediately took on a very critical and even hostile attitude toward Moscow's political decisions, such that the United States mobilized itself, both with the threat of a new war and with economic aid sent to countries ravaged by the war, where the risk of communist infiltration was the strongest, in order to block the advance of the "red menace" in Europe. With the passing of time, as was to be expected, the relationship between the Vatican and the United States administration became increasingly close and unified especially in the common struggle - naturally, in different fields and by different means - against international communism.

International communism, led by Moscow, took on a highly aggressive attitude toward the Vatican during the last years of the war. [...] Above all, the speech that Pius XII made to the cardinals on June 2, 1945, on the occasion of the feast of his namesake, St. Eugene, put into action a concerted campaign of personal attacks on the pope. In this important message, the pope reviewed the struggle supported by the Holy See, beginning from the time of Pius XI, against Nazism and against the anti-Christian doctrines that it spread. [...] "We ourselves during the war," the pope said, "did not cease to contrast the ruinous and inexorable application of the doctrine of national socialism - which went so far as to use the most refined scientific methods in order to torture and kill people who were often innocent - by presenting the unfailing demands and norms of humanity and of the Christian faith." In his speech, Pius XII also called upon the victorious powers to use moderation, and not allow themselves to be guided by a spirit of vengeance toward the defeated peoples. He granted that individual responsibility could be legally determined, and excesses punished, but not that "the collective guilt" of such a disastrous and inhuman war should be attributed to the entire "German people," already severely stricken by hunger and by the Allied bombings. We know that not everyone, including in Catholic circles, shared the pope's view on this point.

This message, which called upon Christian peoples to construct peace and a new international order founded on justice and democracy, was skillfully exploited by the international communist press in order to create the legend of a pope who was the friend of Hitler and of the German Nazis. [...] In fact, immediately after the speech on June 2, Radio Moscow commented on the pope's message in stronger terms than ever before. Pius XII was accused of being Hitler's pope, of failing to condemn national socialism, of remaining silent in the face of the Nazi atrocities: "Those who have heard the pope's speech on the occasion of the feast of Saint Eugene," Radio Moscow commented, "have been stunned to learn that the Vatican, during the years of Hitler's domination of Europe, acted with courage and audacity against the Nazi criminals. The Vatican's real actions tell the opposite story. [...] No atrocity committed by the followers of Hitler provoked any repugnance or indignation from the Vatican. The Vatican was silent when the German death machines were operating, when the chimneys of the crematory ovens in Maidanec and Osfensil [sic] were smoking, when hundreds of bombs were dropped on the peaceful population of London, when Hitler's doctrine of the elimination and extermination of nations and peoples was transformed into a harsh reality. [...] The statements from the Vatican appealed to mercy, and to forgiveness of the Nazi criminals."

This text is of great interest for two different reasons. In the first place, it was intended to guide the international communist press in its anti-Pacelli, anti-Vatican propaganda. Moreover, the text already indicates in a precise and detailed way all of the themes of the "black legend" of Pius XII; in it, for the first time, the pope's silence at the massacre of the Jews is spoken of. [ . . .] These motifs would be repeated by the communist and pro-Russian European press, but also by the media closer to the more moderate left. Even a number of social activist Catholics allowed themselves to be influenced by this propaganda.

In Italy, the communist left, headed by Pietro Secchia and Luigi Longo, for a long time exploited for political purposes the legend of a Pius XII who was first the friend of Hitler and of totalitarian regimes, and now a supporter of the United States imperialists. In a meeting with communist organizers on January 7, 1946, Longo addressed the need to monitor closely the work of the Church and the Vatican: "The Church is responsible, in the person of Pacelli, for Hitler's rise to power, in order to create a front against the pressing danger of Russia, and this at the time when he was the nuncio in Berlin. Currently, after the death of Roosevelt, the pope has found himself alone in Europe opposing the Russian peril, so now he is leaning on America, with the appointment of cardinals etc., for the purpose of constructing another anti-Russian front with the support of the American and Italian capitalists." This legend was also used extensively during the elections in 1948, when some communist leaders, caught up in rhetorical fervor, scandalized many by denouncing at a few rallies "the pope's white hands, stained with innocent blood."

Anti-Pacelli propaganda was welcomed in Italy and France, but also in Germany, and not only in radical leftist circles, but also in some Christian-social intellectual circles. The Vatican was blasted for contributing, through the signing of the Concordat in 1933, to the international recognition of the new Nazi regime, and of supporting this afterward in spite of the anti-religious attitude adopted by Nazism, out of fear of communism, believed to be the true enemy of the Church and of Christianity.

Interesting in this regard is a long exposition sent to the Vatican during the last months of 1945 by a German intellectual, probably Protestant (the document does not show his name) in which both Pius XI and Pius XII are accused of supporting Hitler, thus contributing to the ruin of Germany and Europe.

If there is collective guilt - the author of the exposition says - this is not to be attributed indiscriminately to the Germans, but "only to Christianity," for failing its lofty civilizing mission. "I know very well," he continues, "that the German bishops protested against Hitler's attitude through pamphlets. But these pamphlets were distributed in secret, they were passed from hand to hand, but because they were never published, they never reached Germans as a whole. I also know that many Catholic priests were imprisoned in the concentration camps, solely for having made a few remarks against Nazism; but this has nothing to do with the official position taken by the Vatican. Rome never spoke out officially against Hitler and against his party; it never officially distanced itself from the dictator, it never broke off relations with him, it never disowned the Concordat agreed with him. Moreover, the Vatican nuncio was never recalled from Germany." The writer, in a somewhat overdone "prophetic" tone, continues: "it would have been sufficient for Rome to give clear instructions for Catholic priests to form a united front against Hitler. It is possible that he would have sent all the priests and religious of Germany to the concentration camps to die, but by doing this it would have acted according to the spirit of the Gospel," and would have helped the German people to realize the gravity of the situation.

Such positions contributed to creating and keeping alive, sometimes for different ideological motivations, the legend of a pope who compromised with Nazism and was in some way jointly responsible for the resilience of Hitler's regime, a legend that in the political climate of those years, marked by the ideological-political opposition of the cold war, no one was willing to oppose on the historical level. In short, the "black legend" of Pacelli as a friend of Hitler and silent in the face of Nazi atrocities, created - as we have seen - for purposes of propaganda, gradually took on the contours of historical reality.

This legend, as has been said, was expanded beginning in the 1960's, with other themes and motifs - like that of the pope's silence about the Holocaust - which were also frequently exploited in order to attack the Catholic Church and keep it under constant blackmail. Recent studies are contributing to analyzing with greater objectivity and detachment the figure and work of Pius XII, outside of the legend and ideologies that for too many years have held this prisoner. We believe that the future opening of the Vatican archives concerning the Pacelli pontificate, as well as the opening of other government archives around the world, will help to bring clarity to this delicate matter, and do justice to a pope who was, in the difficult climate of the war, a wise peacemaker and a teacher of humanity.

__________

The book:

"In difesa di Pio XII. Le ragioni della storia", edited by Giovanni Maria Vian, Marsilio, Venice, 2009, 168 pp., 13.00 euro.

 

Rev Dr Walsh died Kerry Priest.

Death of Fr Walsh report c Feb 1901 in Plattsburgh [New York ] Paper.

His funeral Mass at St Johns Church at 10-15 the Church was thronged.

Pallbearers Edward Hannon, W J Daly, Joseph Donahoe of Ogdensburg, E J Dinneen of Ottawa Illinois, J P Kavanagh of Montreal, A O Keeffe, F Mc Cadden, and S K Ryan.[Relatives attended]

Mass was Celebrated by Rt. Rev Bishop Gabriels, Fr Rossiter ,Vicar General Swift and Fr La Rose Assisted.Also Fr Cox, Fr Emard and Fr O Brien.A Choir of 100 from St Peters and St Johns Churches sang.

Fr Conway of Ogdensburg gave the Sermon.

The Grey Nuns of D`Youville Convent and Sisters of Mercy from Sanatorium , Gabriels , Saranac Lake attended.

Fitzgerald was the Undertaker.

Dr Walsh was buried Mount Carmel Cemetery.

His brothers in Kerry Edward E Walsh,Tullamore , Listowel.William Walsh Ahanagran Ballylongford,Mrs Nolan Drombeg Listowel.Mrs Enright Kilflynn, Mrs Quill ? Dromlacht ? Listowel, Mrs Walsh Ahalanna Newtown Dillon, Mrs O Sullivan USA.

JK

Death has taken place of Sr. Virgilius Flavin of the Presentation Convent Castleisland. Sr Virgilius (Bridget) was daughter of Batt Flavin of Knockane, Listowel and Margaret Walsh of Knockadirreen, Duagh. Her siblings were Fr Bob, Fr Tim, Denis, Mike, John, Nance Kelliher, and Molly Sullivan. Following Requiem Mass at Castleisland Church on Monday April 13th `09, Sr. Virgilius Flavin was laid to rest at the Convent Cemetery beside Castleisland Church, Sister joined the Presentation order c 1940.

Friday, April 3, 2009
Father James Sheeran, Confederate Chaplain

Today in 1881 marks the death of Father James Sheeran, an Irish immigrant and widower who became a priest and one of the few Catholic Chaplains in the Confederate Army. H/T to the blog Civil War Stories of Inspiration for this lengthy but entirely worthwhile posting on this interesting character:

The Reverend James Sheeran, a Catholic priest, served with the 14th Louisiana Regiment from New Orleans in General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

Writer and historian Bruce Catton once said he wished he had met Sheeran. Sheeran perplexed "Stonewall" Jackson by his tenacity and self assurance. Robert E. Lee and Phil Sheridan both backed down in the face of Sheeran's logic and determination.

 

Father Sheeran ministered to those in need of religious support, cared for the sick and wounded, and performed innumerable acts of kindness for his fellow man. Sheeran's determination and righteousness, grounded in God, inspired common soldiers and generals alike. In the face of all kinds of adversity, Sheeran displayed real backbone.

 

Three things seemed to guide Sheeran in every action, every disagreement and every situation. He believed in duty, the word of the Lord, and his home in the Confederacy.

 

During a confrontation at a hospital, Sheeran demonstrated some of his strengths.
"Across the road from our hospital," Sheeran wrote, "was one full of Yankees. As usual having attended to the wants of our own men I visited the wounded of the enemy and offered my service."

 

What Father Sheeran found in the Yankee hospital infuriated him. "I enquired if they had no surgeon of their own or any person to dress their wounds. They told me that they had several surgeons over there (pointing to the adjacent building), but they paid no attention to them, did not even come to see them."

 

Sheeran marched directly to find the surgeons responsible for the Yankee wounded, telling them "of the painful condition of the wounded and requested them as a matter of humanity not to neglect them so...."

 

The Union medical staff "told me that they had no bandages to dress the wounds, no instruments to operate with, and that they were fatigued from the labors of the night."
"I remarked it would be some consolation to their wounded if they would but visit them and wash the wound of those who were bathed in their own blood. I next went to their men paroled to attend to the wounded, asked why they did not wait on their companions, many of whom were suffering for a drink of water. They told me that they had no one to direct them, that their surgeons seemed to take no interest in the men."

 

"I became somewhat indignant to hear the excuses of these worthless nurses, and putting on an air of authority ordered them to go to the rifle pits filled with the dead bodies of their companions and they would find hundreds of knapsacks filled with shirts, handkerchiefs and other articles that would make excellent bandages."

 

"They obeyed my orders with the utmost alacrity and soon returned with their arms full of excellent bandage material, and bringing them to me asked: ‘Now sir, what shall we do with them?'" Sheeran was fully prepared to give the required final direction. "Go and tell your surgeons that you have bandages enough now."

 

"Off they went to the surgeons...." Sheeran records. "In about two hours I returned and was pleased to find the surgeons and nurses all at work attending to their wounded."
Sheeran spoke his mind and, when he believed he was in the right, he was not afraid of any man.

In 1892, a Sheeran friend, Father Joseph Flynn wrote down this account of Sheeran's run in with Stonewall Jackson:

 

"Going to his [Father Sheeran's] tent one day, General Jackson sternly rebuked the priest for disobeying his orders, and reproached him for doing what he would not tolerate in any officer in his command. [The exact offense is unknown.] ‘Father Sheeran,' said the general, ‘you ask more favors and take more privileges than any officer in the army.' [Sheeran apparently replied] ‘General Jackson, I want you to understand that as a priest of God I outrank every officer in your command. I even outrank you, and when it is a question of duty I shall go wherever called.' The General looked with undistinguished astonishment on the bold priest and without reply left his tent."

 

Dr. Hunter McGuire, Chief Surgeon of the Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, recalled another incident between Father Sheeran and Stonewall Jackson. "At one time just before the fight at Chancellorsville," Dr. McGuire said, "we were ordered to send to the rear all surplus baggage. All tents were discarded.... A Catholic priest belonging to one of the Louisiana brigades sent up his resignation because he was not permitted to have a tent, which he thought necessary to the proper performance of his office."

"I said to General Jackson," reported McGuire, "that I was very sorry to give up [the] Father; that he was one of the most useful chaplains in the service. He replied: ‘If that is the case he shall have a tent.' And so far as I know this Roman Catholic priest was the only man in the corps who had one."

 

Looking to clear the way for unrestricted access to men in need throughout the army and the countryside, Sheeran sought an authorization to go wherever and whenever he is needed. This led the chaplain into conflict with both Robert E. Lee and Phil Sheridan. Army red tape tends to restrict one's movements to designated times and places. Sheeran set out to attain a pass authorizing the fullest freedoms imaginable.

 

After hearing half-answers, excuses and outright lies from dozens of officers, Sheeran obtained entry into General Lee's presence. Lee, at first, refused to support Sheeran. But then Sheeran explained his army role, the length and arduous nature of his service, and the number of men he has prayed with and assisted along the way. Lee scribbled Sheeran a pass "that will last me the rest of the war if I should last so long."

 

Later in the war, Union troops arrested Sheeran for crossing into Yankee lines. The Union Army imprisoned Sheeran at the old horse stables of Fort McHenry. Civil War Historian Scott Sheads at Fort Mc Henry in Baltimore pulled Sheeran's file for us.

 

"The Reverend James Sheeran was arrested at Winchester, Virginia on November5, 1864 and confined at Fort McHenry on November 10, 1864. Arrested byorder of Major General Philip Sheridan."

 

In the cold, cramped, dung and vermin filled environment, of Civil War Fort McHenry, Sheeran tired physically but his resolve stiffened. He wrote letters to General Sheridan and the Union Secretary of War, denouncing his treatment.

 

Ultimately, the Union Army set Sheeran free. But he again encountered red tape; only this time it is in the form of Union Army rules and restrictions. Sheeran again explained his case, this time to a befuddled General Phil Sheridan. Sheeran, as usual, departed with the passes and respect he thought he deserved.

 

James Sheeran knew God wanted him at his place at the front. During one engagement, Sheeran actually formed and "commanded" a rag-tag force of troops. "Our ambulance drivers....as well as our stragglers, were for stampeding," wrote Sheeran. "Mounting my Grey and riding down....I ordered [them] to move forward as quickly as possible...." Before infantry officers arrived to take over, Sheeran wrote, "I took command of the stragglers and formed them in a line..." Throughout the war, Sheeran retained his sense of humor and his sense of perspective.

 

Father Sheeran was born in Temple Mehill, County Longford, Ireland, in 1818. At the age of twelve, he emigrated to Canada and eventually settled in Monroe, Michigan where he taught in a boy's school opened by the Catholic Redemptorist Fathers.

 

Sheeran married and fathered a son and a daughter. But his wife died in 1849 and Sheeran was drawn to the life of a Catholic priest. He joined the Redemptorist Congregation 1855 and was ordained a priest in 1858. At about the same time, his daughter became a nun and his son succumbed to illness.

 

Assigned to a parish in New Orleans, he became an ardent Southerner. When the leader of his Catholic province asked for volunteers to serve as chaplains in the Confederate Army, Father Sheeran enthusiastically offered his service.

 

In 1960, Bruce Catton's wrote, "[To Father Sheeran] the real enemy appears to be war itself, and not just the opposing army."

 

Father Joseph Durkin wrote of Father Sheeran, "He may have been, at times, unduly stern and uncompromising. He may have lacked some of the gentler virtues. But, in a world which so readily sells responsibility for ease, and integrity for profit, we may well prefer Father Sheeran's iron to a more sophisticated irony."
Posted by Pat McNamara at 5:54 AM
Labels: Civil War, Priests

uesday, April 14, 2009
"Thanks For Opening the Doors"
HOMILY OF THE MOST REVEREND TIMOTHY M. DOLAN

ARCHBISHOP-DESIGNATE OF NEW YORK
SOLEMN VESPERS AND RECEPTION INTO THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH
ST PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL
NEW YORK
14 APRIL 2009

Thank you, everybody, for opening the door and letting me in when I knocked! It sure is good to be at home with all of you!

As I look out with heartfelt affection and appreciation at you good people who just opened the door and let me in, I embrace eminent cardinals -- especially my esteemed predecessor, Cardinal Edward Egan -- brother bishops, Archbishop Sambi and Archbishop Migliore, brother priests, deacons, and seminarians, women and men consecrated religious, representatives of every vicariate in this expansive archdiocese, parish leaders, respected civic and ecumenical partners, dear Mom, family, loyal friends from St. Louis, D.C., Kansas City, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Rome, Ireland, Australia -- brothers and sisters all:

Thanks for opening the door wide enough even for me to get in.

Thanks for welcoming me so warmly as your new pastor!

Thanks for already making me feel at home!

Thanks for letting me into your lives!

I am so glad you are here! And it sure beats sitting at home doing our last-minute tax returns, doesn't it?

You realize the statement we are making this evening. As I begin my apostolic ministry as your new shepherd, there is nothing more effective, more appropriate, more powerful that we can do than pray, pray as the Church. Pope Benedict XVI repeatedly exhorts us that every project, every initiative, should begin with adoration -- praising the God without whom we can do nothing, with whom everything is possible, humbly placing our dreams, fears, hopes, and trust in His omnipotent hands. That we do this evening.

A special word of greeting to our Jewish friends, now concluding Passover, and, un abrazo especial a nuestra querida comunidad Latina por ser obsequio y promesa para esta arquidiócesis.

Thanks, most of all, everyone, for opening the doors of your hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ!

He it is, of course, who stands at the portal of every soul and gently knocks. Life's most pivotal question then becomes whether we will open the door of our existence and let Him in, to receive incomparable light, love, mercy, and friendship, or whether we will remain closed-up in darkness, self-absorption, sin, and isolation.

So did St. Peter in God's Word this evening prayer exhort us to "Come to the Lord!"

So did St. Peter's successor, John Paul the Great, inspire the world when he challenged us, at his first Mass as Pope, to "open wide the doors to Christ."

So did Pope Benedict XVI, in his inaugural Mass, invite us to "open-up in friendship with Jesus."

One of my favorite illustrations of Jesus is the familiar one of Him standing outside the door of a simple home, gently knocking. In second grade at Holy Infant School in Ballwin, Missouri, my teacher, Sister Mary Bosco Daly, who this evening, fresh from Ireland, just read our scripture passage from St. Peter, asked us to look closely at that picture and see if we noticed anything strange. "Yes," Carolyn Carey finally raised her hand and blurted out, "there is no door knob!"

"Right," observed Sister Bosco, "because Jesus cannot open up and barge in on His own. He patiently waits for us to open the door of our hearts and invite Him in to stay with us."

That lesson alone, Mom, was worth all the sacrifices you and Dad made to send us five kids to Catholic school.

Because that's the ultimate question, in the end the only one that really counts: will we open up in faith, hope, and love to the God who gently knocks on the door to our being, asking Him in to live with us? Or will fear, self-absorption, and darkness keep us locked up in ourselves?

The Church is at her best, faithful to her mission, when she invites people to open the door and ask Jesus in. That's precisely the invitation this Archdiocese of New York extends; that's the proposal the Church makes to the world. As Bernini explained the massive colonnade surrounding St. Peter's Square, "Those are the arms of Mother Church reaching out to embrace all people!"

This is the "theology of invitation" articulated by the servant of God, John Paul II.

God invites us . . . never coerces . . . God invites us to believe in Him, trust Him, accept Him. God invites us to let Him be the Lord of our life; and when we do, our lives are never the same; our lives will last forever!

Jesus, His son, is the invitation incarnate, as He invites us to a life of meaning, purpose, life to the fullest, life never-ending. To allow Him in is genuine freedom, the start of an adventure in fidelity. Living in the true liberty of Christ is not easy. It requires fidelity and heroic virtue. In our celebration days ago of Holy Week and Easter, we reverently recalled God's liberation of the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt -- which our Jewish neighbors are now celebrating as Passover concludes -- and remembered how, during the Exodus, God gave us the gift of the Ten Commandments, lest this newly freed people would lapse back to the habits of slaves. When the Church proclaims the moral truth about the dignity of the human person, she helps us all live free.

Sadly, we have usually tragically said no to God's invitation, most dramatically at the event we somberly recalled five days ago, Good Friday.

But we have a God who will not take no for an answer, as Easter demonstrates definitively.

And now Christ stands at the door and knocks, and the Church nudges us to open up and invite Him in!

But, you know all this, because this venerable Church of New York has been doing it for 201 years!

My brother priests, you are the ones who "open the door to the sacred" through Word and Sacraments. You do it so faithfully and so generously! I am so proud to call you "brothers"; I am so awestruck to be the elder brother of a presbyterate known for its zeal and devotion. I thank you, brother priests, for continuing to be agents of the divine invitation, and to you I pledge my life and love!

Consecrated women, vowed religious sisters, brothers, priests, for centuries you have opened the door to Christ identified with the sick, the immigrant, the troubled, the forgotten, and to millions of our children in our splendid schools, and who have loyally prayed without ceasing with and for the Church, this archdiocese owes you so very much. Please, keep opening the door to Jesus;

Our deacons, their loyal spouses, our devoted lay pastoral collaborators, please keep showing by your lives of service and joy that letting this Jesus in the door is a choice one never regrets;

Dear people of God, faithful Catholics of this archdiocese, you indeed are the "living stones" spoken of by Peter this evening, who give a smile, a voice, an embrace, a heart to the mystical body of Christ we call the Church, as you love faithfully in marriage, obey the "law of the gift" by caring for your children, who take the identity of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation so seriously, and who never fail to open up to the Jesus who stands and knocks at the doors of your homes, parishes, schools, offices, farms, factories, and professions. Thank you for your vocations, for sensing the universal call to holiness.

Realistically, though, we must confess that there's so much lurking there to keep us from "opening the door" to Jesus!

There's sin, fear, and sadness to keep us closed-up inside, evident in so many problems and worries: the scandal of clergy sexual abuse and caring for those hurt; the challenges of strengthening our parishes, schools, and charitable outreach; the threats to marriage, family, to the unborn baby and fragile human life at all stages; the need for vocations. The list is long and haunting.

There's so much inside me, I don't mind admitting, that was scared to open the door completely to Him, as I kept the chain-on, opened up just a crack, and heard Him invite me to serve Him and His Church as Archbishop of New York! I inwardly replied to Him:

"Go away, Lord! I'm not your man! My Spanish is lousy and my English not much better!"

"I'm still angry at New York for taking Favre and Sabbathia from us in Wisconsin!"

"The Yankees and Mets over the Cardinals and Brewers? Forget it!"

"Following the likes of Hughes, Hayes, Spellman, Cooke, O'Connor, and Egan! Sounds like McNamara's band, and I'm not up to being part of it!"

Trepidation; unworthiness; anxiety; leave me to the beloved brats, beers, and cool summer lake breezes of Milwaukee where I'm secure and at home . . .

Yet He had his sandal in the door and would not let me shut Him out, as I heard the whisper of the One who says,

"Timothy, be not afraid!"

"My grace is sufficient..."

"Never do I invite one to a task without giving him/her the strength to do it!"

"I am with you all days."

"Open up and let me in. . . "

I recalled the words John Paul II spoke down the street at the United Nations: "We must not be afraid of the future. It is no accident that we are here. Every human person has been created in the image and likeness of the One who is the origin of all that is. We have within us the capacity for wisdom and heroic virtue. With these gifts, and with the help of God's grace, we can build . . . a civilization worthy of the human person, a true culture of freedom, a culture of life. "

And this evening, when you opened those bronze doors to my knock, and I beheld a Church, an archdiocese, that has been opening the doors to Christ for 201 years, am I ever glad I listened to Him and took the chain off!

It is so great to be with you. "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

 

 

Fr William Moloney lately arrived from Ireland took up a tempory position in Sierra Valley where lived about 1000 people many of them Ranchers in 1868 . He is noted as being the first Missionary to visit the north of Pumas County . Visiting Johnsville on Deer Creek , Quincy, Indian Valley, Susanville and Honey Lake Valley in Lassen County . He was the first Priest in Lassen County . The records show that Fr William Moloney was very active on the Missions in California and Nevada .He gave 40yrs service to the Church in this area . Journies of 50 miles were common . At times he would be 100 miles from the end of the trail at Downieville where mining took place in 1880 . He named his famous Horse Charley . In the mountain area of Northern California travel in winter was difficult with deep snow drifts . To travel you would need a pine board 4" wide and 8 to 12ft long fixed to the soles of shoes a long stick was needed for balance . A priest had to be strong and fit to cope with the hardships of Missionary life . It took 6 weeks to make the circuit from Truckee to Alturas and back home again . Fr William Moloney son of Tadhg and Kate Enright born Coilagurteen, Knockanure in 1841 Ordained 1864, died Sutter Creek 1903 . He was a brother of M T Moloney Solicitor General Ottawa .Inscriptions on Family Headstone Gale Cemetery , Timothy Moloney died Nov 1st 1885 aged 93yrs . Memorial Erected by their son Maurice Moloney Ottawa Ill. USA . Also remembered son John Moloney who died Jan 19th 1904 .his wife Ellen died 13th April 1908 .son Edward Moloney died Nov 5th 1872 aged 27yrs.

 

 

 

(Brighton, MA) … Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley will ordain six men to the

priesthood this Saturday, May 23, 2009, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross,

1400 Washington Street, Boston. They included

Rev. Seán M. Maher

A son of St. Mary Parish in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, Father Maher is

one of the four children - three sons and a daughter - of Margaret (Keane)

Maher and the late Patrick. He attended St. Brigid National School, Duagh,

Kerry; and St. Michael College, in Listowel, Kerry. He completed university

studies at the University of Limerick, and also attended Emmanuel School of

Mission, in Rome, and Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn. An alumnus of

St. John Seminary, Brighton he served his deacon year at St. John the

Evangelist, Winthrop where he will celebrate his first Mass on May 24 th

2009

 

 

Father Thomas Relihan to retire after six decades of service

 

Friday, July 18, 2008

 

By Scott Thomas Anderson

 

On June 24, 2007, Father Thomas Relihan of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ione celebrated his 60th year as a priest with a party at Clos Du Lac Cellars. The avid golfer and skier is now retiring as head priest in Ione, though he'll remain part of the community.

Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch

 

 

He left the green hills of Ireland when he was young, encountering the Statue of Liberty, Staten Island and a promise of something grand over the huge, sprawling concrete towers beyond the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

In California, his mission as a priest took him to Grass Valley, Sacramento, Auburn, Susanville - and eventually landed him in a small but vibrant parish on the farmlands of the Gold Country. Now, after 25 years, Father Thomas Relihan is retiring from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ione with a lifetime of warm memories.