23.02.25
Introduction:
Fr. Tommy has come home to his own people, to his own Ballylinan. And the people of Ballylinan have shown the admiration, love and affection they hold him in, as they paid their respects here throughout yesterday. Fr. Tommy’s wish was “to stay in Ballylinan for as long as possible” and he got that wish until it was accepted that he was no longer able to live alone and needed more help so the necessary move to Gowran Abbey Nursing Home. For a man who ministered all his life in County Laois, he was made very welcome in Kilkenny.
My sympathies this afternoon are with the O’Shea family, Fr. Tommy’s sister Kathy, brothers Shem and Liam, his wonderful nieces and nephews and their families. My sympathies are very much with you the people of Arles parish – Arles, Killeen and Ballylinan – his very good parishioners and lifelong friends and indeed Portlaoise, particularly the Heath area and Mountmellick where he held earlier appointments, all as I mentioned in County Laois! And my sympathies are also with his brother priests from Kildare & Leighlin and also from the Jesus Caritas, Charles de Foucauld Priests Fraternity.
Fr. Tommy slipped into eternal life in the very early hours of Friday morning. It was a gentle release. No one could deny it to him. Indeed, in the wonderful care of Gowran Abbey, nothing more could be done to accompany him in this life. He was ready to meet His maker, to surrender himself completely into His hands.
And so as we gather this Sunday afternoon, I invite the symbols that speak to a dedicated priestly life of 65 years to be carried forward …
And so in our gathering we acknowledge our own brokenness and pain as we call to mind our sins …
Homily:
The journey the two disciples made from Jerusalem to Emmaus was seven miles. As they walked, they talked. Don’t we do the same ourselves! It’s around the same distance from Carlow to Arles, a little further out the road here to Ballylinan. It’s a reminder that Jesus walks with us, no matter what road we are on, or what distance we are travelling.
The synodal journey that Pope Francis invites us to take, as he enters now what looks more like, as every hour passes, his own journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus; that synodal journey invites us to walk with one another, to talk with one another and to hear what the other is saying. To hear without worrying about what we might say in response.
Fr. Tommy O’Shea was a great listener, leaning back, head cupped by both his hands and probably wearing his duffle coat; he always listened with his heart as well as his ears. The question he asked me on every visit out here to Ballylinan and in the early days of his time in Gowran Abbey: “how are your people?” It was a beautiful question that came from the heart of a man who cared for others.
Fr. Tommy’s people were Borris. He grew up in Coolnamara, crossing the Borris border into St. Mullins to attend Newtown School, later Good Counsul for a year before moving to Knockbeg. Tommy always stayed in touch with his Borris roots. In any photographic journal of Borris, Tommy features. He was with me when I celebrated Mass on Tinnecarrig Rock. Places like Coolnamara and Tinnecarrig become our Emmaus’s on our journeys of life.
He was ordained on June 19th, 1960 alongside Denis Harrington, Frank Mac Namara and the late Peter Dunne. 52 in all ordained in Maynooth; 20 ordained by Bishop Tom Keogh from St. Patrick’s College, Carlow – 447 in total ordained in 1960, for ministry at home or abroad. It’s a very different world, but still a wonderful one, we minister in 65 years later!
Tributes on the condolence section of rip.ie show how wonderful that world is and how appreciated priests are; they speak of Fr. Tommy’s dedication, his humility, his compassion and his generosity. Many mention their memories of serving Mass for him, his visits to their school, sacramental moments like First Holy Communion and Marriage and of course the many home visits.
He was a great advocate for Eucharistic Adoration, the Pioneer Association, the GAA and indeed all sport. I also read he was instrumental in recruiting many young farmers to Mountmellick Macra. Fr. Tommy was in his day an avid reader, keeping up with the latest edition of The Furrow; while enjoying all sport on television.
His love of priesthood was evidenced in his lifelong membership of his St. Charles de Foucauld Priests Fraternity Group made up of Eddie Aughney, Barry Larkin and the late Joe Fleming, Pat Breen, Dinny Doyle and Ned Whelan, sadly all gone to their eternal reward. He was an avid supporter of vocations to the priesthood; seminarians recall his generosity and encouragement every Christmas during their formation. All of this coming out of a deep understanding of ministry and calling, a spirituality nurtured in a fraternal setting. We are not priests alone, we are priests with and for others.
He also loved his golf. Of great memory is a diocesan fourball of Eddie Moore, Peter Dunne, Eddie Aughney and Tommy O’Shea who one day played 54 holes for ten bob in St. Andrews! Having celebrated Mass in the nearby convent, it was the Scottish Reverend Mother who arranged the tee-off time of 10am! A great example of collaborative ministry. When the men returned in after their second round, Fr. Tommy was reputed to say to Eddie Aughney and Eddie vouches for it “Aughney, are you a man or a mouse, we paid up for the full day”. And the third round proceeded! Fr. Tommy wanted full value for the ten bob!
As a diocese we have got full value for the priestly ministry and example of Fr. Tommy. Through his ministry many people have gotten a glimpse of the Lord as like the two on the road to Emmaus they recognised Him at the breaking of the bread. Fr. Tommy has slipped into his eternal reward in the 91st year of his life, the 65th year of his priesthood. May his gentle soul rest in the peace and the light of Christ as he will be shortly laid to rest among his own here at Ballylinan.