Funeral Homily for Fr. Michael Keane, RIP
St. Colman’s Church, Claremorris, August 30th, 2011
On Saturday last the day Fr. Michael passed away to his eternal
reward in Claremount Nursing home it was the feast of St. Monica. It is
said that on her death-bed that St. Monica had one wish while bidding
farewell to her son the great Augustine. “All I ask” she said “is that
you remember me at the altar of God”. Today we remember and pray for
the happy repose of the soul of Fr. Michael at the altar of God here in
St. Colman’s Church, his native parish of Kilcolman.
Call to Priesthood
On the 18th of June, 1950 Fr. Michael Keane along with
four others from the Archdiocese of Tuam were ordained and granted the
privilege to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at the altar of God on a daily
basis, to minister, to be pastors to God’s people. Their mandate was –
as the prophet Isaiah tells us in today’s first reading – to bring good tidings, to publish peace, to bring news of salvation, to proclaim the reign of God.
Fr. Michael set about doing this with great diligence, passion and
commitment for the past sixty one years of an eventful
priesthood.
Priestly Appointments
Early appointments saw Fr. Micheal serve for a short time in Cloonfad
and Castlebar before serving in the north Connemara half-parishes of
Tully Cross and Cashel. From the early 1960s and right through to the
early seventies he ministered in the eastern part of the diocese in
Kilkerrin before returning to his native Mayo to Carnacon until the
mid-1970s. In 1976 after some considerable difference of opinion and
public controversy he transferred to the Dublin Archdiocese. In 2005 he
returned to his native Claremorris, residing in Mount Street and
helping out as chaplain in Claremount Nursing Home along with being a
great help to the local clergy, Canon Tommie Mannion and Fr. Peter
Gannon in the parish here in Kilcolman.
Relationship with Church Authority
Being strong-willed and passionate about various issues – when it
came to ecclesiastical authority and dealing with various Church leaders
Fr. Michael had a colourful and sometimes fraught series of
relationships with more than one Archbishop! In recent times with the
relative mellowness of retirement he was able to look back and
acknowledge these occasions with a sense of humour.
Illustration – Recent Story
A short time ago Fr. Michael, when visiting a colleague noticed a copy of The History of the Archbishops of Tuam
and commented humoursly to his colleague that this book should carry a
health warning! He enjoyed telling that story with great relish many
times since along with many similar stories during a recent most cordial
and pleasant visit for lunch to Archbishop’s House in Tuam a few short
months ago.
Man of Principle and Champion of the Under-dog
Fr. Michael was a man of principle! Frequently he took strong
stances on various issues, always willing to go out of his way to fight
for what he perceived was a cause of injustice and most especially to be
on the side of the under-dog. As many people have come to know despite
his great endearing capacity for warmth and friendship – he could also
be equally argumentative when he felt an issue needed to be ironed out
or a point of principle made!
Courteous, Good-humoured, Appreciative and Generous
In my dealings with Fr. Michael he was always most gentlemanly, good
humoured and cordial. In his dealings with the Diocesan Office he was
most appreciative and thankful and acknowledged in writing even the
smallest courtesy. He was also extremely generous in donating to
diocesan charity causes.
Founder of Knock Marriage Bureau
There is no doubt that Fr. Michael will be best known for founding
the Knock Marriage Bureau in 1968 and it was this that led to he being
christened “Ireland’s Cupid Priest”! The service offered at the Bureau
was a novel and innovative idea coming at a time when emigration and
social change had once again become a distinct reality in some remote
and lonely places of rural areas in the west of Ireland. The show-band
era was in full swing, dance halls were a big part of the social fabric
of the country – but in some remote and isolated areas it was difficult
for couples to meet and socialise and the marriage-rate was quite low.
The Knock Marriage bureau was indeed a unique idea and as we know it
has been the source of happiness for many people in the course of its 43
years of existence. The Knock Marriage Bureau that is still going
strong today boasts of having introduced over 48,000 people and claims
to have led to over 900 marriages. Many of them have kept in regular
contact with Fr. Michael right down through the years.
Promotion of the Sacrament of Marriage
Central to his founding of the Marriage Office was his pastoral care
of and interest in people. This along with his absolute commitment to
life from womb to tomb and most of all the sanctity of Marriage, the
covenant relationship between husband and wife.
Hope – Despite Our Mourning and Loss
This afternoon we mourn the passing of a unique character who
certainly made his mark in life. He will be sadly missed by family,
colleagues, friends, the many parishioners to whom he ministered, not
least the countless acquaintances from the Knock Marriage bureau. The
second reading today from St. Paul instils great hope in our hearts that
is not an end, but merely a change. The hope of the Resurrection is
much bigger on the horizon of life than the sadness and stark reality of
ageing, sickness and death.
Belief in the Resurrection – Bringing Peace
In the post-resurrection scene of the Gospel of St. Luke today Jesus
asks the disciples – why they are troubled, why do questions arise in
their hearts? Belief in the Resurrection according to Jesus should
bring us a deep sense of Peace. May this peace of the Risen Christ be
with all who grieve for Fr. Michael Keane today, a man who brought the
good tidings of the Gospel to many in his life and ministry of service
in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ for 61 years. In this Eucharist, like
St. Augustine – we approach the altar of the Lord with fondness of
memory, in prayerfulness, in hope – that the peace of the Spirit of God
would remain with all who mourn Fr. Michael’s loss.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Amen.