In memory of
In memory of
Fr. Thomas Keogan, mhm Fr. Thomas Keogan, mhm, died on Wednesday March 11, 2020, aged 95. Fr. Tom was born on June 10, 1924, at Lisduff, Virginia, County Cavan. He had one brother and six sisters. Following secondary education (1940-1945) in our college in Freshford, Tom studied philosophy for one year in ‘Burn Hall’, Durham, England, and when things had settled down after the war he went to Roosendaal, the Netherlands, for his second year of philosophy. From 1947 to 1951 Tom studied Theology at St Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London. On July 8, 1951, Tom was ordained priest in the Chapel of Saint Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London, by Archbishop Mayer. Tom’s first appointment was to further studies at University College Cork. He was there from 1951 to 1955, qualifying with a BA and Higher Diploma in Education. The next appointments received by Tom led him to teach in Freshfield, England (19551958), and then in Freshford, Ireland (19581962). Late in 1962, Tom was appointed to Miri Diocese in Malaysia, where he stayed until 1973, when he moved to Brunei. After five years there, Tom returned to work in Miri until 1983, when he was due for home leave. During this home leave he followed a renewal course at Hawkstone Hall (England) with the Redemptorists. In 1984 Tom was appointed to do ‘Mission Promotion’ in Ireland, based at Dartry, Dublin. Tom’s final mission appointment 28
Fr. Fachtna Robert Staunton, mhm
came in 1986, when he was appointed to Islamabad, Pakistan. After enjoying his home leave in Ireland in 1988, Tom became Chaplain to the Irish Sisters of Charity community in Bray, County Wicklow. A period in another chaplaincy followed; from 1993 until 1998 Tom was Chaplain in St. Anne’s Hospital on Northbrook Road in Dublin. After this very particular ministry, Tom spent three years doing ‘Mission Promotion’ from our Mill Hill House in Kilkenny, until he retired to Dublin in 2001. Sadly, in 2012, because of his need for special care, Tom had to move from retirement in Dartry to a Care Home in Trim, County Meath. He died there on March 11; he is remembered with affection by all who knew him. On the occasion of Tom’s Ruby Jubilee in 1991, the then General Superior, Fr. Maurice McGill, wrote, “Tom, I thank you for the missionary service you have given for the past forty years on the home front and in Miri and Pakistan, with dedication and prayerfulness. You have helped many on their journey of faith.” Such a compliment sums up beautifully the long and dedicated life of an exemplary Mill Hill Missionary. Tom’s Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s House, Dartry, on Saturday March 14, 2020, with burial afterwards in the Mill Hill plot in Bohernabreena Cemetery. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis Autumn 2020
Fr. Fachtna Robert Staunton died on March 30, 2020, aged 85. Fachtna Robert (Bob) was born in Timoleague, Co. Cork, on July 21, 1934. He was one of a family of eleven - seven brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his brother Sean and sisters Maura and Sheila. Having completed secondary education at St. Joseph’s College, Freshford, Fachtna (Bob) studied Philosophy in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, and Theology at St. Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London, where he was ordained priest on July 9, 1961, by Cardinal William Godfrey. Fachtna (Bob) was appointed to Tororo Diocese where he was engaged in pastoral work and teaching in various places over an eleven year period. In 1972, he followed a one year course in Education at St. Mary’s College, Strawberry Hill, near London. In 1977, he accepted an appointment to the USA to work in vocation recruitment and mission animation in St. Louis, New York and later in Los Angeles. In 198485, he followed a course in Navan, Co Meath, and another course at AMECEA (Gaba) Pastoral Institute, Eldoret, Kenya. He was then appointed to the Diocese of Kisii where he spent most of his time and energy teaching in Rakwaro Seminary. In 1990, he found himself in Kakamega Diocese, updating the teachers in 185 secondary schools in the diocese. In May 1999, he had a heart attack. After Autumn 2020
making a good recovery, he followed a renewal course in All Hallows, Dublin. In November 2000, he was appointed to the mission promotion work in the Irish Region, based in Kilkenny. In November 2011, he retired to St. Joseph’s House, Dublin, but continued to be available pastorally, accompanying a Neocatechumenate group and celebrating Mass with the Sisters of Saint Peter Claver. His philosophy in life was “smile and be kind to people”. In one of his letters to his superior, he wrote, “Since the age of ten – or thereabouts – I had the desire to become a priest. Service came from a religious conviction that God’s love should be shared by all. I have experienced the joy and the fear – the awe – of being God’s instrument. I thank God for His love and care for me and for others through me.” In the middle of March, Fachtna (Bob) contracted the coronavirus (Covid-19) and was taken to hospital, where he died a week later on March 30. His family, friends and Mill Hill colleagues mourn his passing and greatly miss him. A small group of close family were present for prayers at the crematorium. On Thursday July 23, a Memorial Mass for Fr. Bob was celebrated at St. Joseph’s House and his ashes were taken to his beloved Timoleague to be interred in the Abbey Cemetery there. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
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