Fr John Warmly Remembered

The parish marked the death of popular curate, Fr John O’Callaghan, who died on 9th December, at the Vigil Mass on Saturday last. Symbols were presented at the beginning of the Mass representing different aspects of his life. Firstly, the Faith Development Group of the last assembly presented the Café programme, which had been run very successfully on a number of occasions. Two books* on the Cork and Ross Mission in Peru were then brought forward, representing Fr John’s close contact with that mission, where he spent 15 years of his life. The final symbol was the Liverpool scarf, this being John’s team which he passionately supported over the years. Former parish priest, Canon Liam O’Driscoll  preached a very interesting  homily. The music was led by the Young People’s choir and the newly formed quintet, under the direction of Yvonne McCarthy. After Communion, Fr John’s brother Aidan gave a very moving address and thanked the people of Glanmire for being so good to his brother as curate and throughout his illness.  Remarks after the Mass were warm in their tributes to Fr John and parishioners were most appreciative of the way in which the parish had celebrated his passing.

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*Liam O’Driscoll, Desert Mission: Twenty-five years in Peru (Cork: Icon Communications, 1990); Leonard O’Brien, Children of the Sun: The Cork Mission to South America (Dublin: Veritas, 2009)

Next Saturday evening (14th January) a special Mass will be celebrated in Upper Glanmire at 7.30 pm to commemorate Fr John. With the special permission of Bishop Buckley this Mass will be in the new Community Hall.  Refreshments will be served afterwards.