It was with great sadness that the people of Kilkerrin - Clonberne learned of
the death of Fr. Sean Higgins on Saturday 2nd July at 9.30 a.m. After a long
illness he passed away suddenly, as he had been preparing for a visit to Rome
within a few days with many of his friends.
|
On July 2nd Fr. Seán Higgins was called to his eternal home and yet, over two months later, it is still difficult to believe that he has left us.
On August 27th, 1934 Seán was born in Tuam, where his parents John and Mae Higgins, ran a pub, grocery and hardware business on Dublin Road. He received his primary education at the Convent of Mercy and Christian Brothers schools and attended St. Jarlath's College as a day pupil for his secondary education. He always spoke fondly of his teachers and classmates and he seems to have enjoyed life as a student in the town of Tuam.
He joined the local boy scouts and was fortunate to be able to visit Rome with them in the Holy Year of 1950. Rome or the Italian people did not impress him on the first visit, but this was post-war Italy and the effects of World War II were still very evident. How his opinion was to change in a few short years!
Seán began his studies for the priesthood in St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, and one year later transferred to The Pontifical Irish College in Rome where for six years he continued his spiritual formation. Here at the centre of Christendom he was immersed in a new culture, a broader form of education and a more inclusive society. Ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica always impressed him and he often spoke about the solemnity of the Holy Week liturgy, especially the Good Friday Stations of the Cross celebrated by the Pope at the Coliseum.
Fr Seán was ordained in March 1958 at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome and shortly afterwards returned home to the Archdiocese of Tuam to begin his ministry. Fr. Seán's first appointment was in Caherlistrane where hi served for three years as C.C., living in the parochial house with the elderly and ill parish priest. In 1961, he was appointed Curate in Cashel, in the parish of Roundstone. It was here that he became involved in the 'Save the West' campaign headed by Fr. James McDyer of Glencolmcille. He also introduced the Credit Union movement to Cashel and the branch formed there in the 1960's has continued to grown and serve the people since then.
Fr. Seán's ten-year ministry to the people of Glenamaddy began in 1970. Here, in addition to his pastoral duties as C.C., he was Chaplain in the secondary school, Coláiste Seosaimh, where his remarkable ability to related to young people became evident. In 1971 he was one of the founders of a local camogie club and, under his guidance as trainer and manager; the club had many successes at County and Provincial level. He continued his work in the field of Adult and Religious Education, community development, the provision of social services in Glenamaddy and he also helped to set up a branch of the Credit Union there.
In November 1980 Fr. Seán was transferred to Keel, in Achill where he ministered until 1984. Once again, he began the work of adult education and community development, in the hope that the people could bring about improvements in their living standards and take full advantage of the assistance available from the statutory bodies. As in other parishes, he introduced the people of Achill to the benefits of Credit Union membership and helped them to set up their own branch. Despite his relatively short ministry in Keel, he forged strong links with the people of the parish and maintained these links up to the end of his life.
In was back to North Galway in 1984 for Fr. Seán when he took up appointment in Moylough-Mountbellew. Here he became chaplain to the second level students of Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, and he put his camogie skills to use with the girls of the school. Community development, adult education and Credit Union promotion were also part of his legacy in this parish, together with the various pastoral duties common to each parish.
In January 1990 he was appointed P.P. in the neighbouring Kilkerrin-Clonberne and many organisations and several projects in this parish also owe their inspiration and momentum to Fr. Seán Higgins. A Community Development Programme began in Sept. 1991 and this was the catalyst for much of the community action which followed in Kilkerrin, including the provision of the Community Development Centre. The setting up of Pastoral Council and in the early 1990's and the refurbishment of the Church in the year 2000 were also undertaken the guidance of Fr. Seán. There was a Credit Union branch operating within the parish since the 1970's but it was given a new focus and its first permanent home during his ministry.
Fr. Seán was always interested in the work of local missionaries, religious and lay, and in the plight of the people with whom they worked. He was instrumental in setting up the Kilkerrin –Clonberne Community Ceangal Group, which, as the name suggests, became a bond between the missionaries abroad and the people at home. The missionaries could report through the group on their work, progress on projects and funding required. The group then organised fundraising for them. An annual get-together for missionaries and locals is arranged each August by the Ceangal group.
Sadly, in the year 2003, due to ill health Fr. Seán was forced to retire as P.P. and it also prevented him from taking up his appointment as Assistant Priest in Glenamaddy but it did not temper his indomitable spirit or his enthusiasm for life. Fr. Seán was a great leader who, in every parish in which he ministered, motivated, encouraged and challenged people to take action around issues concerning themselves and to improve the social and economic life of the individual and the community.
Archbishop Neary, in his homily at the funeral Mass in Kilkerrin, said, “Utilising word and action, he challenged people to take responsibility for where they found themselves. He always accepted people as they were but he never content to leave them where they were.” He was blessed with a tremendous sense of humour, razor sharp wit and intellect. He was approachable, caring, enthusiastic and energetic. He had a genuine love for people and an interest in them – he often said that he was 'oxygenated' by people and conversation. He was a man of many interests – sport, history, heritage, poetry, culture, folklore, Celtic spirituality. He loved nature and enjoyed travel, and to journey with him was to experience his vast knowledge of, and love for, every part of the island of Ireland. He had a remarkable capacity for friendship and ability to keep in touch with friends all over the world.
Fr. Seán Higgins was above all else a good priest, a caring pastor, rich in humanity, understanding and acceptance. He gave great witness to the unconditional love of God and his life was a wonderful example of practical Christianity, serving God through action as well as trough prayer. The Eucharist was central to most community celebrations in this parish. The spiritual development of his parishioners was apriority with him and her regularly organised talks on various aspects of liturgy and its celebration. It was in his approach to his illness, however, that he gave his greatest witness.
He faced each new test and each round of treatment with confidence, bravely and without self-pity enduring the consequences. His positive attitude and optimism should be and example to anyone facing a cancer diagnosis. Though obviously weakening, he continued to meet people and participate in some community activities almost to the end. Earlier in the year, plans to lead a group on a trip to his favourite places in Rome and Formia were finalised and he was determined t travel with the group. Thursday was to be the departure day for the 'eternal city' and Fr. Seán had everything in readiness for the journey, but on the Saturday morning beforehand he quietly answered the call of the Lord, and, instead of the journey to the eternal city of Rome he was given the better option and flew to his eternal home.
Fr. Seán is survived by his sister Maura, brother-in-law, Frank O'Grady and
their family. He is also deeply mourned by the people and priests of
Kilkerrin, Clonberne, Glenamaddy, Mountbellew and Moylough and by a very wide
circle of friends and relatives throughout the country. The large and
representative number of people who attended the lying in repose in the
Community Development Centre in Kilkerrin, the removal and funeral Mass is an
indication of the love and in which he was held by all who knew him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam delis.
On Sunday 25th January 2004 the people of Kilkerrin held a Party for Fr. Sean
Higgins to celebrate his life, and especially his times in and around
Kilkerrin. This was a day to share with his family and friends from the parish,
neighbouring parishes, and many other areas.
It was great to see Fr. Sean in very good form, after having been through alot
of treatment for his illness. The event was held in the Community Centre, which
was overflowing with his friends. The day began at 3.00 p.m. with a beautiful
Mass by Fr. Sean, which was concelebrated by Fr. Gilligan, Canon Blake, Fr.
Goaly, and Fr. Tobin.
After the Mass Jim Mannion presented him with a gift from the people of
Kilkerrin, and various people said a few words which indicated the kind of
person Fr. Sean had been down through the years. His dedication to Parish work
was obvious, and as each speaker said this is to be seen around the parish
today and for many a year to come.
Fr. Sean was never a man to miss an oppertunity, and his special day was going
to be no different. He seized the occasion to make a presentation to Margret
Jennings from the people of the parish in recognition of her work for
Kilkerrin, and her achievement last year in the People of the Year Awards.
At this stage Declan Feeney got Fr. Sean to stay quite for some time ( an
achievement in itself ) while he surprised him with "This is your Life". Declan
gave a running commentary to a slide show, while inviting some of Fr. Sean's
old friends to tell a few yarns about their good old days together. The day
would not be complete within a little recitation by Mary Ryan. As always she
used her knowledge and great sense of humour to entertain the large gathering.
Mary and Fr. Sean finished her party piece with a duet.
The evening concluded with light refreshments and a chat with friends, which
included lots of photos, one of Fr. Seans hobbies in life. We would like to
wish him the best possible health, and express our sincere thanks for all his
dedicated hard work down through the years.
