Latest news with #BrotherKevin
The Independent
05-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Brother Kevin Crowley gave ‘life's service' to the poor, funeral told
Brother Kevin Crowley had a simple mission to feed and house the poor, his funeral has been told. Brother Kevin, who died on Wednesday at the age of 90, founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 1969 in response to seeing homeless men eating from rubbish bins. Throughout a 55-year history, he oversaw much of its development in response to the needs of homeless people. The centre offers two hot meals per day Monday to Saturday, as well as food parcels and a range of services including clothing, showering facilities, and medical interventions. It provides more than 1,000 hot breakfasts and dinners each day. Brother Kevin was said to be grateful to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 2015 and for the visit of Pope Francis to the centre in August 2018. He retired in 2022 to Cork, where he was born and died earlier this week. His funeral took place at St Mary of the Angels on Church Street in Dublin on Saturday. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins were among guests in an 'overflowing' church, which the service heard was receiving guests from all over the island of Ireland. Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell and former primate of Ireland Diarmuid Martin attended the mass alongside Capuchin Franciscans and staff at the day centre. Also present were Commandant Joe Glennon representing Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who is concluding a trade mission in Japan, Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam, and other public representatives from the city council and Oireachtas. Leading the service as provincial minister, Brother Richard Hendrick welcomed Brother Kevin's 'two families' – his natural family as well as the staff, volunteers and guests of the Day Centre. 'You are all welcome here today. While Brother Kevin was the inspiration and face as it were of the work of the centre, without all of you there would be much less reason for our gathering. 'We thank you for all you were to Brother Kevin, for all you are to us Capuchin Friars and for all you do to keep that vision alive of a place of refuge and Franciscan welcome in the heart of the city open to all.' Brother Richard said they had been 'inundated' with stories of the care and love Brother Kevin shared to others, as well as the love shared to him. He said Brother Kevin vision was that no one would go hungry and that all would fall a place of inclusive welcome and peace. Brother Richard said the day centre 'will continue and grow' as long as there are guests who need its services. Recalling recent queries from visitors if the centre would stop operating, he added: 'I think Kevin would haunt us all if there was even a thought of that.' Brother Richard thanked all those who had gathered, as well as all those worked at the day centre. 'Yesterday, we heard that there would be two minutes of silence – one in Dublin and one in Cork before the GAA matches take place. 'It is probably Kevin's greatest achievement that as a Cork man he has finally silenced Dublin.' In a homily, Brother Patrick Flynn said Brother Kevin gave a 'life's service' to the poor. He said the proud west Cork man was a 'very, very good Capuchin friar', a 'man of God', a 'disciple of Jesus Christ', and a 'humble, devout son of St Francis of Assisi'. 'He was a Capuchin to his fingerprints. Most people didn't know his family name of Crowley, but they knew of 'Brother Kevin'.' Brother Patrick said Brother Kevin was known the length and breadth of the country as a 'tireless advocate for those with no voice', acting as the nation's conscience to remind the public of their obligation to help others out of the trap of poverty. 'He was fearless, relentless in his pursuit of justice for the poor. I've no doubt that his great spiritual father St Francis is embracing him today for the love and compassion he extended throughout his religious life for God's poor.' He added: 'Kevin had a mission in life, it was very simple: Feed and house the poor. 'He couldn't understand why in our country we couldn't solve this problem.' Brother Patrick said Brother Kevin was a man who enjoyed the company of friars and friends, had a love of the GAA marked by a hurley placed beside his coffin during the service, and who had a great sense of humour demonstrated by his ability to laugh at himself. Remembering his friend for over 60 years, he concluded: 'He wasn't perfect, he could be feisty and challenging when he disagreed with you. 'But what he did have in abundance was a generous, compassionate heart and that is what made the man. 'Kevin, thank you for your good example.' The service was also read letters containing tributes from the Apostolic Nuncio of Ireland Luis Mariano Montemayor and General Councillor Brother Marek Miszczynski. Brother Kevin's burial site is at Dardistown Cemetery.
BreakingNews.ie
02-07-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Brother Kevin Crowley's funeral details announced
Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, who died early on Wednesday at the age of 90, is to be laid to rest on Saturday. Enniskeane, Co Cork native, Brother Kevin, returned to his native county following his retirement from the centre in 2022, which he founded in 1969. Advertisement Brother Kevin died peacefully shortly after 10am in a nursing home in Cork. His remains will arrive to St Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin at 5pm on Thursday, July 3rd, reposing there all day Friday with solemn evening prayer at 6pm. Requiem Mass will be held at 11am on Saturday, with burial afterwards in Dardistown Cemetery. He founded the Capuchin Day Centre, located on Bow Street in Dublin and he became synonymous with helping the poor of Dublin city down through the decades. In 2018, Pope Francis paid a visit to the centre, which provides food and shelter to an average of 800 people every day. He met Brother Kevin as well as people who use the essential services there. In 2018, the Cork man was presented with the fourth Oireachtas Human Dignity Award by the then Ceann Comhairle of Leinster House, Seán Ó Feargháil TD, for his tireless work with the homeless and those in need.
BreakingNews.ie
02-07-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
President and Taoiseach lead tributes to Brother Kevin Crowley
Brother Kevin Crowley, who retired from the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in August 2022, has died at the age of 90. The founder of the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin and Enniskeane, Co Cork native, Brother Kevin, returned to his native county following his retirement from the centre, which he founded 56 years ago. Advertisement Brother Kevin died peacefully shortly after 10am on Wednesday morning at the Holy Trinity on Fr Matthew Quay in Cork city. He founded the Capuchin Day Centre, located on Bow Street in Dublin, in 1969 and has become synonymous with helping the poor of Dublin city down through the decades. His last day at the centre was August 19th, 2022, and he then moved back to his native Cork. In 2018, Pope Francis paid a visit to the centre, which provides food and shelter to an average of 800 people every day. He met Brother Kevin as well as people who use their essential services there. Advertisement President Michael D Higgins led tributes to Brother Kevin, saying he 'made an invaluable contribution' to the people of Dublin city, callingd him a 'warm, caring, yet fearless man'. '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,' he said. 'It was extremely appropriate that Pope Francis visited Brother Kevin and the Capuchin Day Centre during his visit to Ireland in 2018 and met with those present and volunteers. Brother Kevin Crowley and President Michael D Higgins pictured together in 2016. Photo: Collins 'I was deeply honoured to meet with Brother Kevin on many occasions throughout the years and to share in his company," the President continued. Advertisement '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.' Taoiseach Micheál Martin also paid tribute to his "good friend" Brother Kevin, saying he was "deeply saddened" to learn of his passing. 'Brother Kevin was a tireless and passionate advocate for justice, dedicating his life to helping those in need. In 1969, he founded the Capuchin Day Centre, where he worked selflessly and with good humour for 53 years, providing help to vulnerable people. He truly lived the gospel," Mr Martin said. 'His compassion, devotion and non-judgmental approach to helping the marginalised was unwavering. He was an inspiring and humble man who I always enjoyed meeting. He was a proud Cork man who never lost touch with the home place that nurtured him in his early years." Advertisement Tánaiste Simon Harris said Brother Kevin was 'one of life's true heroes'. 'A proud Cork man, he made an enormous contribution to assisting vulnerable Dublin people with the foundation of the Capuchin Day Centre,' he said. 'While the centre is well known for its distribution of food parcels to people in need, I visited with Brother Kevin as health minister and know its work went beyond that, providing a range of medical services and family supports. 'Brother Kevin will never be forgotten for the immense charitable contribution he made to people experiencing poverty and suffering.' Advertisement Close friend, former Lord Mayor of Dublin and North Inner City Independent councillor, Christy Burke, also paid tribute to Brother Kevin. 'It was a pleasure to bestow the Freedom of the City on Brother Kevin in 2015. He helped thousands of people who were homeless over the years. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. His legacy will live on forever,' Cllr Burke said. He continued: 'For decades, Brother Kevin was a beacon of compassion and dignity for those experiencing homelessness in Dublin. He gave his life to serving others, always with kindness, humility and quiet strength. To so many, he was nothing less than a living saint. When I last visited him in Cork, he spoke with deep affection about the people he had served and the incredible generosity he witnessed over the past 50 years. He never sought recognition, but he inspired countless others through his example. 'Today, I mourn not only a remarkable man, but a close and cherished friend. His presence will be missed dearly, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those he helped and those who loved him. Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam, a Bhráthair Caoimhín, beidh grá agat i gcónaí ag muintir Bhaile Átha Cliath. Beidh do mhuintir inár gcuid paidreacha inniu." In 2018, the Cork man was presented with the fourth Oireachtas Human Dignity Award by the then Ceann Comhairle of Leinster House, Seán Ó Feargháil TD, for his tireless work with the homeless and those in need. Additional reporting: PA
Irish Times
02-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Br Kevin Crowley of Capuchin Day Centre dies aged 90
Brother Kevin Crowley (90), who ministered at the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin for many decades, has died. Over recent years he had been at Mount Desert Nursing Home in Cork. He had been known throughout the country and beyond as a Brother to the poor, particularly through his work in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People which he founded on Bow Street, Dublin in 1969. Expressing his sincere sympathy to Br Kevin's family and his Capuchin confrères, Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell recalled how Br Kevin had 'devoted his life to the service of the poor. His work with the Capuchin Day Centre staff and volunteers transformed the lives of the poor and marginalised in our city who availed of its services, from misery and despair to hope and love.' His was 'a love that reached out with no questions asked of those who sought assistance. Br Kevin was an authentic follower of St Francis of Assisi,' the Archbishop said. READ MORE Born at Kilcoleman, Enniskeane, Co Cork on February 24th, 1935, Br Kevin was baptised William but following entry to the Capuchin Postulancy in Kilkenny in 1958 and, later, the Novitiate in Rochestown, Co Cork, he received the name Kevin. [ 'He's just a saint, just a pure out and out saint': Founder of Capuchin Day Centre retires ] In 1968, he was asked to take charge of the Clothing Guild in Dublin's Church Street. He quickly realised that much more was required than a clothing distribution unit, so he set up the St Felix soup kitchen and day centre, which initially catered for up to 50 persons daily. From then the numbers just grew and grew. As he recalled in his final interview before leaving Dublin for his native Cork in August 2022, 'I saw the people coming to our church. I saw the people walking the streets. I saw the people looking into dustbins and taking food out of the dustbins'. As a follower of St Francis 'I decided something should be done for them.' It was the beginnings of the Capuchin Day Centre. 'We had no money. Things were very bad. I owed a bill for £1,000, and £1,000 then was a lot of money and I didn't have it. I went down to the oratory, and I do believe in God in a very, very big way, and I said to the Lord 'these are your people and if you want me to feed them you'd better go get the money'. And we never went short of food or money since then.' He recalled how at that time 'I thought the drink was a huge problem, which it was, but then the drug scene came in. The drug scene has taken over completely and is appalling. Only for our medical team we would have had many deaths here on the premises.' He said the centre has gone from about 50 people when it started to now having 200 people for breakfast, 600/700 for lunch from Monday to Saturday. Unsurprisingly a stand-out moment for him over the years was the visit of Pope Francis to the Centre in August 2018. 'The greatest for me was the day they saw the Pope coming up Bow St in the Popemobile and the first thing he did was to come up to the homeless people to greet each and every one of them. And I made it quite clear there were to be no dignitaries whatsoever here.' Present too on that day were two other great allies of the homeless, Alice Leahy and Sr Stanislaus Kennedy. What was most significant for Br Kevin about such visits was that 'the homeless people were being recognised. That was the most important thing for me'. In Rome later that year, addressing Capuchins from around the world, Pope Francis, departed from his prepared speech to say how 'recently in Ireland, I saw your work with the most discarded and I was moved. It is a beautiful thing that … the elderly founder told me, `Here we do not ask where you come from, who you are: you are a child of God'. This is one of your traits. To really understand the persons, by 'smell', unconditionally.' Another regular visit to the centre over the years was President Michael D Higgins. On a visit there in 2016 he said what Br Kevin made possible at the Day Centre was 'the stuff of a real republic'. The remains of Br Kevin will arrive at St Mary of the Angel's, Church St Dublin at 5pm on Thursday evening and will lie in repose there on Friday until 6pm. Following requiem Mass on Saturday at 11am, burial will follow in Dardistown cemetery.
