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Food programme in Kenya school – by Sr. Anne Moore
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.
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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 (1955- 1958), and then in Freshford, Ireland (1958- 1962). 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 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
In memory of Fr. Fachtna Robert Staunton, mhm
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 1984- 85, 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 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.
In memory of Fr. Jim O’Donoghue, mhm
Fr. Jim O’Donoghue, mhm, died on Easter Tuesday, April 14, 2020, aged 85. Jim was born on May 27, 1934, at Caherciveen, County Kerry, Ireland. He had three brothers and six sisters. Jim went to St. Joseph’s College, Freshford, in 1947, where he completed his secondary education in 1952. He studied Philosophy in Roosendaal, Holland, and Theology at Saint Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London. He was ordained in St. Joseph’s College chapel on July 13, 1958, by Cardinal Godfrey of the Archdiocese of Westminster, England.
Jim’s first appointment was to Studies at the Catholic University in St. Louis, USA, where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in History. Jim was then appointed to Saint Anthony’s College, San Jose, Antique Province, The Philippines, where he made a great contribution to the College, and is still fondly remembered there today. In 1979, Jim was back in Ireland visiting schools, recruiting for Mill Hill, and was appointed Rector of St. Joseph’s College, Freshford. In 1983, he moved to the Mill Hill College in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, for five years, to teach and be a Spiritual Director. He was then transferred to a similar post in St. Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London. He was again back in Ireland in 1992, this time for mission promotion work in parishes.
Jim generously accepted an appointment back to his beloved Philippines in 2002, to help in the Formation House in Iloilo. Three years later, he took up pastoral ministry in St. Mary’s Parish in Belfast, where he remained until 2016. “Fr. Jim was much loved and respected. He lived his mission with unfailing kindness, gentleness and compassion for all, especially for the homeless and needy of our streets.” (Obituary in the Belfast newspaper ‘The Irish News’).
In December 2016, Jim retired to St. Joseph’s House, Dublin. He settled in well and quickly became a key member of our Dublin community as his personality and great sense of humour endeared him to the residents and staff. In early April, Jim contracted the coronavirus (Covid-19) and was taken to hospital,where he passed away on April 14.
In the words of a Mill Hill contemporary, ‘Jim was a capable and dedicated allrounder. He had sharp insights and was very open and broadminded.’
Jim’s family, friends and Mill Hill colleagues were greatly saddened by not being able to visit him when he was ill. Also the normal funeral Mass and burial could not take place. A suitable date is awaited to celebrate a memorial Mass for Jim, after which his ashes will be interred in the Mill Hill Plot at Bohernabreena Cemetery.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
Fr. Thomas Keogan, MHM Fr. Fachtna Robert (Bob) Staunton, MHM Fr. James O’Donoghue, MHM Sr. Kathleen O’Brien, sister of Fr. Michael O’Brien, MHM Paul O’Toole, father of the late Fr. Declan O’Toole, MHM Josephine Bracken, sister in law of the late Fr. Lorenzo Bracken, MHM
MEMBERS
Bishop Seamus Hegarty, Monsignor Jim Cassin, Canon Michael Fleming, Rev John O’Connell, Sister Benedict Cotter, Fr. Padraig Keogh, Sr. Norah Hickey, Sr. Mary McKenna, Kathleen Attley, Mary Bane, Bridie Barber, John Begley, Michael Beirne, Thomas Bolger, Elizabeth Bracken, Bridie Brady, John Brandt, Bridie Brennan, Daniel Brennan, Seamus Breslin, Brid Brosnan, Dominic Burns, Tom Burke, Liam Burns, Podge Butler, Anne Byrne, Eileen Byrne, Gerard Byrne, Margaret & Neily Cahalane, Katie Cahill, Patrick Cahill, Kathleen Campbell, Teresa Campbell Mary Cantillon, Mary Carew, Joe Cullen, Eithne Campbell, Michael Carthy, Mary Clarke, Bridgie Connelly, Mary B Connor, Deirdre Connors, Mary Conroy, Phyllis Conroy, Carmel Costello, Michael Creegan, Bridget Crehan, Margaret Cronin, Kitty Cunniffe, Declan Cunningham, Una Cunningham.
John Daly, Margaret Daly, Maura Daly, Patricia Danaher, Kitty Deane, Mary F. Delahunty, John Desmond, Michael De Lacy, Kathleen Dillane, Julie A. Dillon, Catherine Doherty, Sheila Doherty, Pat Donohoe, Mary Ann Donnellan, Mary & Pat Donnelly, Anne Donovan, Mary Dolan, Nancy Dollery, Margaret Duffy, Annie Duffy, B Duggan, Brian Dunne, William Dunphy, Nellie Durack, Rita Dwyer, Malachy Eastwood, Margaret Eccles, Eileen Emmett, James Fanning, Margaret Farrell, Mary Farrell, Kathleen Ferry Kathleen Finlay, Edward Fitzpatrick, Margaret Fitzpatrick, Mary Fitzpatrick, Maureen Fitzgerald, John Flynn, Joseph Flynn, Maura Flynn, Pat Flynn, Una Flynn, Mary Flood, Mary Foley, Nancy Foley, Elizabeth Frazer, Mary Galvin, Hugh Gibney, Mai Glynn, Joan Goggin, Larry & Mary Gorman, Pat Gregg, Bridget Griffin.
Catherine Hanley, Peggy Hanley, Richard Hawe, Agnes Healy, Nora Helly, Mary Heverin, Moira Hickey, Vincent Hoban, Owen and Hanna Hollywood, Ann Humphreys, May Jennings, Maureen Johnston, Joseph Jordan, Maeve Jordan, Michael Jordan, Sean Jordan, Eileen Kavanagh, Brid Keane, Joe Keane, Monica Kearney, Inez Keating, Josie Keegan, Phyllis Keeney, Brigid Keevers, Frank Kelleher, James Kelly, Liz Kelly, Margaret Kelly, Marie Kelly, Patricia Kelly, Mary Ann Kennedy, Mary Kenny, Kathleen Keogh, Noreen Keogh, Delma Keville, John Killian, Rita Kirwan, Breda Landers,
MEMBERS
Bridie Landers, Mary Lane, Maureen Lawler, Bertie Leckey, Rita Lehane, Margaret Leonard, Sarah Loftus, Angela Lonergan, Marie Lowry, Mary Lucey, Kathleen Lynch, James Lyons.
Peter Mackey, Paddy Madden, John Magee, Kathleen Maguire, Michael Maher, Bridie Martyn, Jessie Mascarenhas, Bernadine Mitchell, Mary Molloy, Kitty Moloney, Helen Mooney, Rita Mooney, Martina Moore, Fidelma Morrissey, James Morrissey, Josephine Morrisson, Marie Moynihan, Nora Mullin, Alphonsus Munroe, Denis Murphy, Edmund Murphy, Mary Murphy, Nora Murphy, Peggy Murphy, Mary Myles, Sally McBride, Margaret McCabe, Matthew McCusker, Annie MacMonagle,, Vera MacMahon, Ellen McCarthy, Maura McCarthy, Maureen McCarthy, Lottie McCarron, Julia McDonagh, Margaret McFadden, Sean and May McGeough, Margaret McKenna, Mary McLaughlin, Aideen McLoughlin, Germaine McSorley, Christine Nixon, Brigid Noone, Maureen Olohan.
Amelia O’Brien, Ellen O’Brien, Eugene O’Brien, Monica O’Brien, Sean O’Brien, Bernard O’Carroll, Catherine O’Connell, Mary Margaret O’Connell, Antoinette O’Connor, Elma O’Connor, Kathleen O’Connor, Margaret O’Connor, Michael (Bob) O’Connor, Tom O’Connor, John O’Donnell, Bernadette O’Donoghue, Nellie O’Donoghue, Mary O’Donovan, William O’Donovan, J J O’Flynn, Teresa O’Gara, Brendan O’Keeney, John O’Keeffe, James O’Hagan, Mary Joe O’Halloran, Anne O’Gara, David & Sheila O’Leary, Joan O’Leary, Connie O’Mahony, Martin O’Malley, Bridget O’Meara, Donal O’Neill, Eileen O’Neill, Eta Margaret O’Neill, Lena O’Neill, Mary O’Neill, Philomena O’Neill, Eileen O’Reardon, Dympna O’Reilly, Sheila O’Reilly, Mr. P O’Rourke, Cait & Jackie O’Shea, Hannah O’Shea, James O’Sullivan, Margaret O’Sullivan.
Bernadette Phelan, Christine Phelan, Gabrielle Pratt, Mary Power, Mary Quinn, Sheila Regan, Bernadette Reilly, Nellie Rodgers, Freda Ryan, M N Ryan, Thomas Ryan, Sarah Ruddy, Patrick Ruttle, John A Sadlier, Michael J. Scanlon, Bridgie Shanley, Nora Sheahan, Alf Scarff, Mary Sherman, Mary Shine, Bridget A. Smith, Sheila Smith, Billy Stapleton, Margaret Steele, Sean Sweeney, Bob Tierney, Mary Tierney, Dr Richard Tobin, Hugh Trainor, Nancy Treacy, Kathleen Twomey, Mary Agnes Twomey, Kathleen Tyrrell, Bridie Vaughan, Joan Walsh, Margaret Walsh, Patrick Walsh, Rita Walsh, William A Walsh, Mary Ward, Mary Whelan, Gerard Whitsell, Patrick Whooley, Sheila Wynne.
It keeps our friends and supporters in touch with our missionary work. It promotes devotion to St. Joseph - our patron and protector There are three issues per year plus a Calendar at Christmas. It is sent
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