Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Kieran Farrelly (1887-1939) OBITUARY Rev. Fr. Kieran (Farrelly), C.P. To announcement on Monday, 16th October; of the death _ of i Father: Kieran, came as a great ‘shock to the members of St. Patrick’s Province. He had just concluded a fortnight’s mission in Tubber, Co. Westmeath, on Sunday night, and on ‘his return on Monday morning, he seemed to be in the best of health and good spirits. A heart attack in the afternoon, however, proved fatal, and he passed away peacefully in a few minutes. Father Kieran was born at Carnaross, Ceanannus Mor, Co. Meath, on January 30th, 1887, and was known in the world as Thomas Farrelly. He entered the Passionist Novitiate, Broadway, Worcs., in 1908; made his profession of religious vows on February 2Ist, 1909, and was ‘raised to the Priesthood by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin, on December 21st, 1913: Ho was a man of exceptional talents— a fact which did not escape the notice of his Superiors—for, shortly after his ordination, the task was entrusted to him of teaching Philosophy and Theology to Students preparing for the priesthood, at St. Paul’s Rotreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. His period of Lectorship was one of marked success, and those whose privilege it was to pursue their studies under his direction, pay high tribute to his diligent and painstaking efforts. Later, for two successive terms, he filled the position of Rector in St. - cross ‘Gabriel’s Retreat, Enniskillen, where the fruits of his administrative powers soon became apparent. The beautiful Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was erected by the voluntary labour of the people of the surrounding district, remains as @ monument to his memory. When his term of office there was completed, lie was elected second Provincial Consultor, and at the following Chapter, first Provincial Consultor, which facts go to prove in what esteem he was held by his colleagues, and what confidence they placed in his mature and prudent judgment and in luis ability to give counsel and advice on matters of moment. In the field of missionary activity he distinguished himself as a brilliant preacher and a zealous confessor. He was in constant demand for Missions and Retreats all over the country, and he achieved ah immense popularity as a conductor of Diocesan Retreats for Clergy. His extraordinary familiarity with the Sacred Scriptures, his power of driving home the desired lesson with a homely anecdote flavoured with a soupcon of humour, his high regard for the ministry of the Word, manifested by his careful preparation, and his burning zeal which was evidenced by his whole demeanour whilst preaching, all combined to give to his sermons a distinctive quality and an appeal which could not leave his hearers unmoved. { By his death the Province of St. Patrick has sustained a great loss, and of this all the members of the Province are keenly conscious. He was one to whom half-measures were abhorrent, and he put forth all his energy into whatever task was imposed upon him by holy obedience. He will be remembered by all as being good and generous, o pleasant and affable companion, and most particularly, as a Religious who had at heart, the salvation of souls and the good of his Order. : Having a passionate love -of the Irish language, he could speak it fluently, and always availed himsolf of an opportunity of so doing. Walking always provided for him a favourite form of bodily exercise and recreation, and it was after a short walk that he was seized with the fatal heart attack which énded his life. : While we record our own grief at his passing, we wish to express our heartfelt sympathy with his sorrowing relatives and friends, and it is our earnest prayer, in which we ask our readers to join, that God in His Infinite Mercy may grant rest to his soul. May he rest in peace. *
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.