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Liam
Holohan -
1st September 2002
It
was like a part of ’Comer died, such was the heartfelt
sorrow shared by family and friends when Rev. Liam Holohan
was laid to rest in the grounds of the Church of the
Immaculate Conception.
He died
as he had lived “a man for others”. He leaves behind
a legacy of rich fruit already bearing abundant harvests
in communities from South America to England. He served
for 10 years as a missionary in Chile, working with
the downtrodden during the difficult era of Pinochet
dicta-torship. Brazil was his next challenge, again
toiling in the shanty towns rife with all sorts of depravity.
Liam gave a further five years of service above and
beyond the call of duty. Due to ill health he was forced
to return to London and finally to Kilkenny where he
was called home to the Lord on Sunday, September 1.
Among the hundreds of sympathy messages was one from
Our Lady of Peace Parish, Sara Gajardo, Cerro Navia
in Santiago de Chile, where Fr. Liam worked and which
was read out after Holy Communion. So grateful was the
community there that they have decided to dedicate a
street in his memory. The Church of the Immaculate Conception
was packed to overflowing for the Requiem Mass, presided
at by Bishop Laurence Forristal. The chief celebrant
was Fr. Maurice Crean M.H.M Dublin, Superior of the
Mill Hill Fathers in Ireland. He was assisted by Fr.
Patrick Ryan M.H.M. Superior of the Mill Hill Fathers,
Freshford House, Waterford Road, Kilkenny.
Some 50 priests were in attendance, many from the Mill
Hill Fathers, the Diocese of Ossory and from all the
religious houses in the diocese including Rev. Thomas
Sherlock, Rector Castlecomer Group of Parishes and his
wife Hazel. Fr. Tom Sinnott, a close friend and colleague
preached the homily. The huge congregation joined with
the choir in singing the familiar Hymn “Lord of all
Hopefulness”. At the graveside the final prayers were
said by Fr. Liam Ganly, representing the Mill Hill Fathers
in London.
Liarn
was born in Castlecomer, Co. KiIkenny, Ireland, on the
30th of June 1955 one of the seven children of Richard
and KathJeen(Brennan) Holohan. He had one brother and
five sisters. He went to Freshford for his secondary
education. After this he went to Dartry for
philosophy and St. Joseph's College for his theology.
As a deacon he was appointed to Calcutta but was refused
entry.
He was
ordained on 26th of July 1981 and was appointed to Chile
in the same year. In the 1988 Chapter Liarn was co-opted
as a delegate to represent the young members. In 1991
he was appointed from Santtiago (Chile) to Itaguai in
Brazil. He went there in January 1992. In
1994 he was a Chapter delegate. His time in Chile and
Brazil was very much connected with issues of justice
and peace. He lived with the poor and struggled for
their rights.
He was
very much aware of political issues as a way to stand
up for the poor . In December 1997 Liam came back to
Europe on sick leave. In 1998 he took up pastoral
work in White City, Westminster. ln White City he rediscovered
the value of meditation and gained many friends and
supporters there. He worked there for just over two
years. An earlier bout of cancer flared up again and
Liam started his long battle with the disease.
Last
year he visited the people in Chile and Brazil, and
that proved to be his last trip there. In June he travelled
to Mexico with his sister and tried out an alternative
therapy, based solely on organic foods. During his final
months he stayed in the house of his late sister
Anne who died of the same disease about one and a half
years ago, and who was a former lay associate with Mill
Hill.
Several
times he received the Sacrament of the sick and the
Eucharist was celebrated in his room. His sisters looked
after him all the time. He finally died in their midst
on Sunday morning at 3.00 a.m.
Just
21 short months ago the Holohan family lost another
precious member Anne, and our dearest sympathy is extended
to Fr. Liam’s parents Dick and Kit; brother Joe (America)
; sisters Kay, Mary, Geraldine, Bernie; uncles, aunts
; nieces, nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
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0502
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