logo
Brother Kevin Crowley remembered as 'warm, caring and fearless' ahead of funeral

Brother Kevin Crowley remembered as 'warm, caring and fearless' ahead of funeral

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets outside a Dublin church on Thursday evening to pay their respects to Brother Kevin Crowley.
The founder of Dublin's Capuchin Day Centre passed away peacefully aged 90 at Mount Desert Care Home, Cork, on Wednesday.
His funeral cortege took him to the Church of St Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin 7 at 5pm on Thursday evening.
Known as a charitable man who made "an invaluable contribution" to those homeless in the capital, hundreds of people paid their respects yesterday.
His funeral mass will take place today at 11am, followed by burial at Dardistown Cemetery.
Brother Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre, which helps provide those experiencing homelessness with hot meals, in 1969.
In 2018, Pope Francis paid a visit to the centre, where he met Brother Kevin as well as people who use their essential services there.
Three years ago, Brother Kevin announced his retirement from the centre after half a century.
Paying tribute to him, President Michael D Higgins said: "Brother Kevin was a warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need.
"I was deeply honoured to meet with Brother Kevin on many occasions throughout the years and to share in his company.
"The hot meals, food parcels, clothing, showers, family services, and medical and dental services have not just extended care of the most vulnerable, but has been exemplary in showing a fundamental respect for the dignity of each person and allowed so many of those who have availed of the services to rebuild their lives."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Priest tells Maguiresbridge service that murders are 'more than any heart should bear'
Priest tells Maguiresbridge service that murders are 'more than any heart should bear'

Irish Post

time2 days ago

  • Irish Post

Priest tells Maguiresbridge service that murders are 'more than any heart should bear'

MOURNERS at a church service for a mother and her two children who were murdered in Co. Fermanagh last week have been told that the deaths are 'more than any heart should bear'. Fr Raymond Donnelly was speaking at a removal service at St Mary's Church in Maguiresbridge for 45-year-old Vanessa Whyte and her children James Rutledge, 14, and Sara Rutledge, 13. All three died after being shot at their home in the town a week ago. 'Questions too deep for words' Crowds lined the streets as the coffins of the three family members were brought to the church, with friends of the children forming guards of honour, dressed in school uniforms and club colours. Addressing those gathered, Fr Donnelly said: "Today in a church filled with grief, there is a heaviness in the air, a silence within our hearts that speaks volumes. "The tragedy we have endured has shaken this community and country to its core. "We are left shocked, grieving, heartbroken, searching for meaning, grappling with questions too deep for words. "The loss of Vanessa and her two beautiful children, James and Sara — lives taken in such an unspeakable way — is more than any heart should bear. "A woman full of kindness and warmth, a friend to so many, and her children so young, so vibrant, so full of promise. "Their laughter rang through school corridors, through playing fields, especially on the GAA pitch where they thrived with passion and joy — that zest for life, their infectious energy, their open smiles. "Words fail us and when words fail, we turn to the word of God." Support Fr Donnelly added: "We wish we could understand why this has happened. These are the mysteries that shake our faith. "Yet the Christian faith, our faith, does not pretend that pain doesn't exist — it meets us in our sorrow and walks with us through it." The priest offered his support and prayers to the family of Ms Whyte, James and Sara. He also encouraged friends of the children to speak to someone about their feelings since the tragedy. "Grief is not something we carry alone, it's a journey we make together," he said. Ian Ellis, Church of Ireland Bishop of Clogher, led a candle-lighting ceremony while hymns were sung. Payers of the Faithful were then offered by members of the family and community, including representatives from Lisbellaw FC, St Patrick's Lisbellaw Hurling Club, Maguiresbridge St Mary's GFC and Maguiresbridge Primary School. Following the service, the three family members were taken to Ms Whyte's native Barefield, Co. Clare, where they will be laid to rest on Saturday. Investigation Police were alerted to a shooting incident at the family home in Drummeer Road last Wednesday morning. Two people were found dead at the scene and two were taken to hospital, one of whom passed away later that day. The three deceased were subsequently named as Ms Whyte and her two children. At the time, investigators said that a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide was one line of enquiry, although they did not anticipate making any arrests. On Monday, police confirmed that the fourth person, identified as 43-year-old Ian Rutledge, had also passed away. Police have continued to appeal for information and particularly want to hear from anyone who saw a silver Mercedes saloon car being driven in the Clones Road area of Newtownbutler, or between Maguiresbridge and Newtownbutler, the night before the murders. See More: Clare, Fermanagh, Maguiresbridge

Hugely popular Jean Lambe was a devoted family woman with a big passion for sport
Hugely popular Jean Lambe was a devoted family woman with a big passion for sport

Irish Independent

time4 days ago

  • Irish Independent

Hugely popular Jean Lambe was a devoted family woman with a big passion for sport

She and her late husband Kevin lived all their lives at Killineer Cottages half way up Tullyesker Hill and reared a family of 11 children. A large crowd attended her funeral and tributes were paid to the wonderful decent life she lived and the kind, devoted mother she was. Jean was a member of the Walsh family from Townrath. She was one of five siblings and she has one surviving sister Judy, 88, who lives a few doors down from her. She worked as a seamstress in the Greenmount and Boyne factory, Greenhills from 1946 to 1955 and one of her main jobs was to hem and box the sheets for the American market, a task she was very proud of. She met her husband Kevin at a dance in Collon and two of them used to cycle to and from the dancehall on their bikes. They were happily married for over 55 years until Kevin passed away in 2011 at 88 years of age. He worked all his life on Donegan's Farm in Monasterboice for former Government minister the late Paddy Donegan TD and would also regularly chauffeur him to various events around the county. Jean gave up work when her first child Pauline was born and loved being at home cooking and minding the children. All her kids were sent to the old Ballymakenny Cross Primary School which is now closed and would walk three miles across the fields to and from school every day. Two of her neighbours in Killineer Cottages also had big families with 15 and 13 children respectively. The three families between them filled up the school. ADVERTISEMENT Apart from caring for her children Jean's great passion in life was sport. She was a devout Manchester United fan and never missed a United game on the telly. She also had a huge interest in her local Gaelic football club the Naoimh Martin and was over the moon when they won the Louth senior football championship for the first time a few years ago. She was a big supporter of Louth as well and often went to matches. Her other great passion in sport was snooker and she loved watching it on the telly and the late great Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins was her favourite snooker player. Jean loved socialising and would go out every weekend to catch up with friends and neighbours. Donegans in Monasterboice was her favourite place to go. She is predeceased by her husband Kevin and son Paddy and survived by her children Pauline, Michael, Rosemary, Kevin, Aidan, Brendan, Raymond, Eddie, Sinead, and Fergus. Her funeral mass was held in the Church of The Immaculate Conception, Tenure and burial afterwards in Monasterboice cemetery.

8 priests respond to Reek Sunday callout as some opt for earlier climb due to All-Ireland clash
8 priests respond to Reek Sunday callout as some opt for earlier climb due to All-Ireland clash

The Journal

time6 days ago

  • The Journal

8 priests respond to Reek Sunday callout as some opt for earlier climb due to All-Ireland clash

EIGHT PRIESTS HAVE responded to a callout to help administer sacraments at the top of Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday. Reek Sunday, also known as Garland Sunday, falls annually on the last Sunday of July but a change in how the GAA operates its county championships is impacting the celebrations for a second year in-a-row. There was already a shortage of celebrants for the occasion this Sunday. And now some pilgrims are opting to begin the traditional climb of the Mayo mountain earlier so that they avoid a clash with the All-Ireland Football final between Donegal and Kerry at 3.30pm. The pilgrimage sees thousands scale Mayo's Croagh Patrick – some barefoot – to celebrate St Patrick. Masses are held at the summit and the Eucharist and confessions are ministered by priests each hour from morning until late afternoon. Confessions will be available from 7.30am. Earlier this month, Administrator of Westport parish, Father John Kenny, issued a callout for priests who have the capacity to make the journey to join him among other clergymen on Croagh Patrick on 27 July. An ageing clergy has created difficulty in sourcing enough priests able to climb the mountain to attend to the thousands that turn out for the pilgrimage. Weekends are also priests' busiest times and it is difficult to find the numbers. Pilgrims atop the mountain in 2006. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Speaking to The Journal , Fr Kenny said eight priests have put their names forward in advance, but that others will turn up on the day. 'We have a core group to look after the pilgrimage, thank God.' Masses will be celebrated hourly in the old church on the top of Croagh Patrick from 8am to 2pm. In years gone by, Masses on top of the mountain would have been held every half hour. Fr Kenny said the main reason for cutting back is the lack of priests being able to take part. However, he added that the second reason was feedback from pilgrims that they liked 'quiet time' on the summit of the mountain as well. 'This means that it wouldn't be just Mass after Mass after Mass… that was a feeling I had myself.' However, there will also be an ecumenical service at 10.30am at the summit, as well as one at 2.30pm at the foot of the mountain. An ecumenical service brings together members of different Christian denominations. Church of Ireland parishes have been invited to attend both these services. 'That's kind of a new feature,' said Fr Kenny, 'and hopefully that will be a feature going forward on the occasional half hour.' Advertisement Meanwhile, Fr Kenny noted that the pilgrimage once more clashes with the All-Ireland Football final. 'People set their alarms earlier as a result and take part earlier, that's a feature in recent times,' said Fr Kenny. 'They still want to do the pilgrimage, but do it earlier than they would normally because of what's going on in Croke Park in the afternoon.' And as for Fr Kenny himself, he acknowledged that the 'logistics are difficult'. 'When I wasn't looking after the logistics I used to get more out of it, to be honest. 'While I'm in charge of the logistics, it can be difficult, but it's always great to witness the faith and witness the people turning out.' Fr Kenny also expressed hope that the pilgrimage can continue for the long-term and said he is 'sure the Lord will provide'. 'I can't tell the future but the perhaps we will have to be a Church in a new way and the ordained ministry will still be part of that, but we won't have the numbers that we used to.' Advice to pilgrims Nurse Marie Lyons of the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team has spent the last 20 Reek Sundays working in the medical tent on Croagh Patrick. She said many patients on Reek Sunday present to the medical tent because of a slip and urged people to wear the correct footwear. While she said ankle support is optional, she recommends people check the sole of the shoe. 'A rubber sole on a shoe, or preferably a boot, with a good grip is the most suitable.' And no matter your fitness levels and regardless of the weather, she reminded people to bring water. ' Every year scores of people ask us for water from the medical tent,' said Lyons. 'At the risk of sounding mean, bring your own! At least one litre, two if you sweat a lot.' She also recommended people take salty food to replace electrolytes and sugary food to sustain your energy. Meanwhile, Lyons note that some pilgrims are 'offering up the hardship for a specific purpose or intention'. 'People are often consumed with making it to the summit but then find it difficult to descend on overly fatigued legs. 'If you are really struggling with severe fatigue on the ascent, and your legs feel wobbly and flat, please do not continue. 'Stop, have a snack, enjoy the people and the scenery and descend. The mountain will stay put until your next visit.' She also reminded pilgrims that 'hypothermia is a real problem' and to be prepared for all weather conditions. She advised to bring a small rucksack with an extra couple of layers and a rain jacket. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store