GOODBYE….AGAIN We said goodbye to Fr. Kevin last July when he left our parish moving to Glenflesk. Last Sunday we said our final goodbye on his way to his beloved Cooraclare when his funeral cortege stopped by Moyvane on it’s way to the ferry. There were many people, many tears, much sadness and a lot of respect for the man who stamped his mark on this parish while he ministered here. He was hugely talented, full of life, full of hope, full of positivity and generosity but above all he was a man of God, a priest who fulfilled his priestly duties through his compassion and kindness which was shown in abundance while he was here. He transformed this parish both physically and religiously. The churches, the presbytery, the grounds, the car parks all have Fr. Kevin’s stamp on them and of course the “Door of Hope”. It was a lifesaver for many people from both North Kerry & West Limerick during covid. Without doubt he offered more Masses at his special door than any other priest in the country, filling the car park at every Mass giving selflessly of himself in every weather. He never forgot Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas and any other occasion that warranted marking, or maybe for no reason at all! I’m sure every house has the mug, the little crib and all the other bits and pieces that Fr. Kevin so generously distributed at his Masses and the children were never forgotten. They got various little bits and pieces and of course the sweets. He was good with young people, to him they were as important as the older generation. Good thinking Fr. Kevin, they are the future. His final visit to Moyvane & Knockanure spoke volumes. The two schools formed guards of honour and the roads were lined with people as the funeral passed by on each road. Crowds queued to file past his coffin in the church and the bikers paid their respects, leading the hearse on it’s way to the ferry. It was quite a spectacle. He was good to the bikers and his annual bikers Mass was supported by bikes from all over the country. He is a huge loss to the diocese with such a shortage of priests. Sleep easy Fr. Kevin, you were a one off. Below is Fr. Kevin’s last ten second sermon from his last parish newsletter.
Moyvane Notes 27/12/2021
December 27, 2021
MY FINAL TEN SECOND SERMON Just one Ten Second Sermon, in the week that’s in it. I take my leave of you on Wednesday for Glenflesk, Barraduff and Clonkeen. The Sermon is as follows: “Think – Thank”. If we stopped to think more, we would stop to thank more. When I reflect on my time in your Parish, I am full of thanks for so many things – your help, love, support, prayers, the ways we stayed and prayed together from the word go when C19 arrived. But above all your hospitality, kindness and the many smiles we shared together. In prayer let us continue to support each other. God Bless each and everyone of you. Love & prayers, Fr. Kevin.
Shocked & saddened on hearing of sudden passing of Fr Kevin. The kindness & thoughtfulness he showed to everyone. Last Mothers day he gave a candle & little token to my daughter to give to me. It brought a tear to my eye as I’m not from Moyvane parish, he had such away to reach out to people may his gentle soul Rest in Peace