Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Fr. Paschal Garvey (1901-1967) et / TELEPHONS 748234 HOLY CROSS Rw&TREAT, ARDOYNE, BELFLST, lk. OBITUARY NOTICE OF FR. PASCHAL GARVEY C.P. i A ey sae nS men ee et Sa re et ree mg IO ey Ge ee tr ctin ee ms Ne ey eee Ge mE A Om nh ES Ale Se Ue He SO Oh et AE NY ee ie ed he a In the early hours of the morning, of Thursday, October 12th Fr, Paschal Garvey of the Blessed Sacrament C.P, passed quietly and peacefully to his reward, in St, John's Private Nursing Home, Crumlin Road, Belfast. Though he had becn in the Nursing Home for some months and had been seriously ill, the end came as a surprise to all the members of the Ardoyne Community. Fr. Paschal was born in Sligo in 1901. After his preliminary studies he entered the Passionist Novitiate in Bnniskillen in 1921. After his profession 2a year later, he comnenced his studies for the priesthood in St. Anne's Retreat, Sutton. There he was ordained in September 1926 by Dr. Keating, archbishop of Liverpool. Some years later he was appointcd Viesr of St. Mary's Retreat, Musselburgh. After some years there he returned to Ireland and the remainder of his active days were spont in conducting Missions and Retreats. Over the past few years Fr, Paschal was no longer able to be active in the apostolate that he loved so much, Through iliness he was confined t» the house in Ardcyne, but even when gasping for breath and hardly able to stand he never missed celebrating daily Mass. When, a few weeks before he entered hospital, he was feeling much worse he had to restrict the celebration of Mass to Sunday, those of us who lived in Ardoyne knew that the end could not be far away. This Preacher of the Passion was well known and admired throughout the length and breatu of Ireland. Of tall and impressive appearance and gifted with a powerful and pleasing voice this man made a profound and lasting impression on his audience, Although somewhat austere and reserved in manner, he was in fact a very approachable person and a confessor who must have helped many thousands of souls. No sermon was ever taken in his stride because he felt it would be unjust and even insulting to the waiting multitude to enter into the pulpit without very thorough preparation. The members of the Men's Confraternity in Holy Cross, Ardoyne, whose Spiritual Director he was for many years, still speak in flowing admiration of those wonderful sermons that he delivered to them, Few could equal hii in giving a Mission Instruction. ‘The essential features of the particular subject were put to his © congrcgation with slarity, succinctness and in a most pleasing and memorable manner, Fr, Paschal had an outstanding, devotion to the Blesscd Sacrament which showed itself in a variety of ways. He himself acted always before the Real Presence in a manner that manifested his vivid realization of this greatest gift of God's love. Withered flowers or soiled altar cloths tended t) rouse his indignation and he liked everything in the Church to be neat and tidy.
Sick members of the Comnunity were always the special concern of Fr, Paschal and his kindnées and gentleness towards them were manifestations of his Christ-like charity, Having once been Vicar himself he was aware. of the many daily duties, often unnoticed by a Community, which fall to a priest in this Office, In the counting of money, the keeping of accounts and such work he showéd himself anxicus and willing to be of help and successive Vicars in Ardoyne owe much to his helpful advice in fulfilling their duties. He will be remembered with kindness, especially among those of us with whom he spent his last years. May he rest in peace. HOLY CROSS RBETRiV.T, ARDOYNG, BULE.AST, OCTOBER 28TH 1967. te tee ete ee et
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.