Born: 09 September 1813, Omagh, County Tyrone
Entered: 03 May 1843, St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final Vows: 02 February 1854
Died: 23 March 1892, St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

1843-1845: St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA, Novitiate
1845-1849: St Louis College, Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, USA, Tailor
1849-1850: St Joseph’s College SJ, Bardstown, Kentucky, USA, Tailor
1850-1862: Xavier University, Evanston Station, Cincinnati OH, USA, Tailor and Infirmarian
1862-1869: St Joseph’s College SJ, Bardstown, Kentucky, USA, Tailor
1869-1870: Church of the Holy Family, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Tailor
1870-1893: St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA, Tailor

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 21, Number 2

Obituary

“Brother Michael Haugherty SJ” p268

On the 23rd of March at St Ignatius College, Chicago, died Brother Michael Haugherty. The fourty-nine years which he spent in religion, were distinguished by a conscientious discharge of every duty, and by the faithful practice of those virtues which we expect to find in one who makes profession of imitating the hidden life of our Divine Lord.

Born in Ireland on the 1st of September, 1815, he entered the novitiate at Florissant on the 3rd of May, 1843· Towards the close of his noviceship he was sent to the St Louis University and remained there until 1849 when he was transferred to St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, Ky. Then he went in 1852 to Cincinnati where he performed the duties of a lay brother during ten years; returning at the end of that time to St Joseph's. When in 1869, Ours gave up the house and college at Bardstown, Brother Haugherty came to Chicago where he remained for the rest of his life. Here in the various capacities of tailor, visitor during examens, in the morning, and as porter he gave edification to all, both Ours and externs, by his silence, regularity, and by his ever obliging, cheerful disposition. But the virtues, for such we may truly call both, which Brother Haugherty seemed most to cherish, were the two so dear to our holy Father Ignatius, poverty and cleanliness. Ever careful, even nice, in his own person he extended the same exactitude to all about him and his room was at all times a model of neatness as well as of poverty. His love of poverty was remarked by all at his death, when, save his crucifix and beads, there was found in his chamber only the most necessary furniture, a bed, table, kneeling-bench and a chair which he seldom if ever used. His love for holy poverty prompted him to do without fire, save during the most inclement days of our not very mild Chicago winter.

If Brother Haugherty's life had been edifying before, it became doubly so during his last illness. Periods of intense pain were followed by brief respites during one of which on each of the last few days, holy Communion was administered. The brother's preparation for this was a consolation for all who witnessed it. When roused from the lethargy, to which the anguish of a moment before had given place, and told that the Spiriritual Father had gone for the holy Viaticum, he immediately began praying and his prayer seemed ever to be the formula of the vows; as though he wished again to offer his all to his Saviour, who was about to give his all, his very self to him.

He has gone as we may well hope to receive the reward of a long life, filled with virtues and made more meritorious still by the sufferings borne so patiently at its close. RIP

Born: 25 April 1827, Cork City, County Cork
Entered: 26 July 1849, St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Ordained: 1858
Final Vows: 02 February 1866
Died: 26 April 1910, St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

1849-1851: St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA (MIS), Novitiate
1851-1854: St Joseph’s Colege SJ, Bardstown, Kentucky, USA, Regency
1854-1858: St Louis College, Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, USA, Philosophy and Regency then Regency
1858-1862: St Joseph’s Colege SJ, Bardstown, Kentucky, USA, Prefect of Studies, Teaching the Studying Theology
1862-1864: St Gall’s Church, Sycamore Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, President of Primary School
1864-1878: St Louis University, Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, USA, Teaching
1873-1874: President of Parish School
1878-1910: St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA, Teaching to 1997, then working and writing
1887-1910: Caring for health along with other works and writing

◆ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-catholic-tribune-death-of-father-jam/38246413/

Death of Rev. James M. Hayes.
Many, both within and without the Society of Jesus, lament the death of Father James Mark Hayes, born April 25, 1827, at Cork, Ireland, died Friday, April 29, 1910, at Chicago. Twenty years of his life were spent at St. Louis University. In 1878, Chicago became the scene of his labors. He was a priest of acceptional ability. Keenly appreciation of the needs of tbe times, be was highly successful in supplying the various wants. He took particular interest in the press, realizing, no doubt, what an instrument of good it could become.

On being transferred to Chicago, this zealous priest did much writing.' He became the Editor of “The Little Bee”, a monthly and “The Catholic Home”, a diocesan publication which later developed into “The New World”.. Moreover, he published “Chips From the Block of Peter”, extract from the writings of the Pope on questions of the day and “Catholic Penny Leaflets”.

Prudence was the charateristic trait of his writing. No one could take offense at them. Father Hayes was moreover, a great organizer. He, with Mr. Thomas Taylor established the Catholic Order of Foresters, which now numbers 137,000 members.' Court No. 1 is still at the Holy Family Church, Chicago.

Apart from his rare intellectual gifts, the gentle disposition, the kindly humor, the consoling and encouraging word of this aged Jesuit endeared him to countless friends.

CPS

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 28, Number 3

“Varia : St Ignatius College Chicago” p340

On Wednesday, July 26, Father James Hayes celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his admission into the Society. A large congregation assembled in Holy Family Church at the solemn high Mass in honor of the occasion. Three of the priests who took part in the celebration have already passed their fiftieth anniversaries. They are Fathers Paul Ponliglione, Francis Shulak and Walter Hill. Father Andrew O'Neil acted as sub-deacon. The sermon was preached by Father Hill. In the evening a delegation from the Young Men's Sodality called at Saint Ignatius College to congratulate the Reverend Father on his golden jubilee. Father Sherman was chairman of the delegation and on behalf of the sodalists, whose director he is, delivered an appropriate address after which he presented the jubilarian with a silver- headed cane. Father Hayes in reply gave some reminiscences of his life in t'he parish and thanked the young men for their kind remembrance of him on the occasion of his golden jubilee.

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 40, Number 1

Obituary

“Father James M Hayes” p87

Father James Mark Hayes must be counted among the most remarkable men that have labored in the Missouri Province. His father was a distinguished physician in Cork, Ireland, and was associated with the illustrious Daniel O'Connell in forming the “Catholic Association” which gained the great civic victory over Peel and Wellington in favor of the Catholic Emancipation. James counted it among his earliest recollections that in his childhood be had been supported on the arms of the Liberator to witness a patriotic procession in his native city.

About the year 1842 Dr Hayes moved to Canada with his children, his wife having died some years before, and he placed James at Nicolet College to finish his classical education. The young man began his business career in Toronto as a junior member of the firm of Hayes Brothers, whtch a few years later built the first large vessels for lake and ocean service, in particular the “Reindeer” and “City of Toronto”.

Having gone on a business trip to St Louis, Mo, he was there in 1849 amidst the horrors of the cholera, which in a few weeks carried off many thousands of the inhabitants. Soon after, Mr Hayes and three other youths, a lawyer, a physician and a business man, went to make a retreat at Florissant, and concluded to enter the Society.

All these took their vows in July, 1851, and proceeded at once to labor in various colleges. Those were pioneer days in Missouri, scanty studies and plenty of work, but willing minds and the grace of God in proportion to the needs. Mr Hayes enjoyed two years of Philosophy, during one of which however he was prefect of the junior boarders of St Louis University. During the session of 1857-58 he taught class and studied Moral Theology in private, and was a priest in 1858. But he had another year of Moral in private study, and during the session of 1863-64 a golden opportunity to perfect the work in the regular scholasticate at Boston. On the 2nd of February, 1866, he took the vows of Spiritual Coadjutor.

All through his life in religion Father Hayes was a model Jesuit. His piety was not demonstrative, but it was solid and fruitful of good works. Among his brethren he was of a genial ever cheerful, humble and charitable, full of wit and humor, and yet earnest and zealous when any thing might be said or done to promote the glory of God or the good of souls. Obedience with him was a matter of course. He was too good natured ever to be angry; or, if he ever was so, his charity and his delicate sense of propriety would hide it from observation. He was a gentleman born, refined by genuine virtue. He was original in many ways, but not in any objectional meaning of the word. One day when his turn came to give the weekly instruction to the students - he had put off preparing and gradually forgotten all about it - suddenly warned that the boys were waiting in the chapel, he rushed to the place and gave an earnest speech on the evils of procrastination.

Father Hayes spent thirty-two years of his busy life in the class room, and would cheerfully have continued in that work of zeal if his excessive not brought on a nervous collapse, which forced upon hiin an unwelcome year of rest. But he rallied and entered into other spheres of usefulness. He was often heard to say that he considered it no slight honor to be a little wheel in the large machinery of a Catholic college. During most of his educational life he taught the First Rhetoric of the Commercial course in St Louis University and in St Ignatius College, Chicago. His method was peculiar: text-books counted for little, but he trained his pupils with impressive energy in correct reasoning, sound principles and elegant expression of thought. It was his personal influence that made him an efficient educator.

He considered it to be a Jesuit's duty to perfect in himself all the talents that God has given him, and to exert his efforts to the utmost in the use of his abilities. In particular he had acquired by assiduous care a remarkable distinctness of pronunciation and proper intonations of the voice, so that he became one of the most elegant readers that ever pleased his brethren in a Jesuit refectory of the Missouri Province. And he was very successful in stirring up his younger brethren to make the like exertions. With the same purpose he perfected his style till he wielded a most ready and graceful pen, and acquired a delicacy of taste which in his advanced age caused him to be considered by our Fathers as a most reliable, yet ever considerate, literary critic. But he aimed not at displaying his accomplishments on grand occasions or before distinguished audiences; he rather loved to teach Catechism to children, and he is mentioned in the Province catalogue for a while as a regular catechist of the negroes in St Louis.

The zeal of the good Father was not confined within the walls of the college. He founded an institution which in course of time became very conspicuous in St Louis, the St Mark's Academy. But the modest manner in which he started it gives a clear insight into the peculiar spirit which characterized all his works of zeal during his life time. To form writers and speakers who would defend and propagate our holy religion in the secular life, he began with three promising young men, who would meet in his room one evening of every week to read one of their compositions, and then familiarly discuss its thoughts and its language pnder his kindly supervision. His tact, devotedness and perseverance secured the gradual increase and success of the important undertaking.

In 1878 Father Hayes was transferred to St. Ignatius College, Chicago, where Providence opened to him a much wider field of usefulness. His active career in Chicago has been so well described in the daily press by the well known friend of our Society, Mr William J Onahan, that I deem it proper to offer his notice for insertion in the valuabe pages of the Woodstock Letters, where it may gain a lasting remembrance. He says in part:

The labors and character of Rev James M Hayes should not be permitted to pass without recognition. It was the privilege of the writer to have known intimately Father Hayes     since his advent in Chicago more than thirty years ago. Apart from Father Hayes' duties as professor in St Ignatius College, and in the great Church of the Holy Family,    regarding which I do not need to testify, his activities were shown notably in the cause of temperance, as well as in his zeal and activity for the propagation of truth through the    medium of Catholic journals and other literary agencies.
And first as to his temperance propaganda. He early saw the need of an active and energetic movement amongst Catholics to stem the evils of intemperance.
Upwards of two thousand men handed in their names and pledges as the result of this effort - which it was then expected would spread widely throughout the country. Father  Hayes was practically the head of the movement from the first, but, unhappily for the cause, he not free, nor was it otherwise possible for him to give himself to the work of  spreading the organization beyond local limits. However, the plan was taken up by others in different parts of the country with happy results. From that time forward, up to his    late prostration, he continued a quiet and effective apostle of the temperance cause. He was not equal to the work of public agitation, nor was he fitted by taste or capacity for  the platform; but he was wonderfully powerful deal- ing with the individual.
I am sure there must be thousands in this city - many, many thousands - who owe their emancipation from the “drink habit” to Father Hayes. Countless homes have been    made happy by his benevolent zeal and multitudes of men and women must now bless his memory.
He was truly, as I said, an Apostle in the cause of temperance and would well merit a public statue as such. ·
In another different and congenial sphere he was equally active and successful; that of spreading the light of truth through the medium of print. He was a strong believer in the   power of the press. He took over the local Catholic journal, “The Catholic Home”, many years ago and conducted it with notable capacity until it gave way and was merged    in the “New World”. Ever since that time he has continued to publish a succession of booklets and leaflets, which it is no exaggeration to say constitute a complete and    powerful arsenal of Catholic truth; and these were spread widely. No public question or issue involving sound prin- ciples escaped his vigilance. He knew exactly where and     how to gather his facts and arguments on controverted subjects, and he put them forth in simple and taking form, to the benefit and instruction, I am sure of a wide circle of  readers.
How unobtrusively he worked all these years! Scarcely known outside the college, he rarely mingled in any public demonstrations.
For some years, before the end came, he was practically confined to the house, but his activity in his favorite work was unabated.
The afflicted and the unfortunate sought his counsel and aid; the victims of the drink habit came to him for the unfailing pledge; and all who sought his spiritual aid found in    him a wise and gentle guide and friend. Many I know will miss and long lament the dear and venerable figure who, through these thirty and more years, has labored here in   our midst doing his Master's work with fidelity and zeal, in a generous· and unselfish spirit, seeking no recognition or worldly applause- caring only for that return and reward   gained by those who are faithful to the motto of the Society  -  Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

Born: 31 May 1825, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 26 August 1851, St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Ordained: 1856
Final Vows: 25 March 1865
Died: 18 June 1879, St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

1851-1853: St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA (MIS), Novitiate
1853-1854: St Louis College, Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, USA, Regency
1854-1861: Xavier University, Evanston Station, Cincinnati OH, USA, Regency then Teaching after Ordination in 1856
1857-1861: Minister (for 1 year), Procurator, Teaching
1861-1862: Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederuck MD, USA (MAR), Tertianship
1862-1863: St Louis College, Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, USA, Teaching
1863-1866: Holy Family Chicago Residence, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Spiritual Father, Curate, Procurator
1866-1873: Xavier University, Evanston Station, Cincinnati OH, USA, Curate, Teaching
1873-1879: St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA, Procurator, Curate, Teaching

Born: 24 May 1828, County Carlow
Entered: 15 July 1854, St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final Vows: 25 March 1865
Died: 11 December 1890, St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

1854-1856: St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA (MIS), Novitiate
1856-1858: St Gall’s Church, Sycamore Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, USA, working
1858-1881: St Mary’s College, St Mary’s, Kansas, USA, working with Pottawattomie
1881-1886: St Gall’s Church, Sycamore Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, working
1886-1890: St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road (West 12th Street), Chicago, IL, USA, working

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 20, Number 2

Obituary

“Brother John Murphy SJ” p280

On Dec 11, 1890, there died at St Ignatius College, Chicago, one whose life had been a reflex of those rules which outline the virtues and duties of the temporal coadjutors. This good brother, by his fidelity to duty and his unwavering gentleness, unconsciously displayed, in his entire career, the evidences of that peace, which the world cannot give. Brother John Murphy was hom on May 24, 1828, and some twenty-five years later we find him as a young man, teaching in a school which was conducted by our fathers in Louisville, Kentucky. Here he received the divine call, and on July 15, 1854, he entered the Society. After a year at Florissant, he was sent, while still a novice, to Milwaukee, but returned to the novitiate to take his first vows, Again, he was sent to St Gall's Residence in Milwaukee, where he was employed in teaching children in the parochial school, and there he remained until, in 1858, he was transferred to Kansas to take up his life-work. At that time the Indians still occupied their old hunting grounds in Kansas. Our fathers had established a flourishing mission on the Kaw, and a large Indian school occupied the site of the present St Mary's College. This Indian school was placed under the supervision of Br Murphy; and here he taught and prefected, in short, was general manager of the institution. In after years he often spoke of the innocence and obedience of his Indian charges, and how, if an apple fell from the tree, not a young red-skin would appropriate it without leave. But the Indian was doomed to extinction in Kansas as elsewhere; and gradually, as the whites encroached, the Pottawottomies were removed to reservations farther West. By 1865, the school at St Mary's had become a school for whites, though a few of the aborigines remained. Even after the Indians had entirely disappeared, Br Murphy still taught at St Mary's and when the College was opened in 1869, he was employed as a master in the lower classes. But with advancing years, his health began to fail, and in 1881, he was removed to Milwaukee, to take up the office of teaching again in the school where he had begun it.

Finally, in 1886, broken in he was transferred to St Ignatius College, Chicago, where, as porter, he spent his remaining years. In this office, which is a trial of temper and self-denial, the good brother displayed continual meekness and readiness to oblige. Visitors frequently noticed the kindly look on his modest face, and enquired, who he was. In 1890, the final summons came for the fervent religious. For two weeks before the 11th of December, he was confined to the infirmary. It was rather a breaking up of his system than any well-defined disease that brought him to his end. His time for immediate preparation was short, but his whole life had been a continual preparation, and so death did not take him unawares. On Dec 13, he was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. Our eulogium of Br John Murphy need not be long. He was a religious, whose rules were his continual guide. His reverence for superiors was very marked, and it was observed of him at St Mary's, that in whatever part of the house or premises he was, when he first met the Provincial on a visit, he immediately fell on his knees to ask his blessing. Then, too, his desire not to give offence to his brethren was well known. Indeed, he was very uneasy and looked troubled, whenever he thought that he might have caused annoyance to anyone, and he never failed to ask pardon very humbly, sometimes even on his knees. But his great virtue was his unfailing fidelity to his spiritual exercises. Amidst his most engrossing occupations, he always found time for meditation and prayer; he would often steal from the dormitory at St Mary's, when the boys were asleep, to seek communion with God, in the tabernacle. Of such a life, the end was fitting. A happy death in the Society was the crown of a career, in which he had gathered his sheaves as a zealous workman.

Before .he passed to his reward, he had the happiness of seeing his nephew, Rev Thos. Murphy ordained priest in the Maryland-New York Province of the Society.

Br Murphy's life was thus a full one, and the odor of his virtues will long remain among us. RIP

Born: 16 January 1828, Rathdangan, County Wicklow
Entered: 29 July 1854, St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Ordained: 1863
Final Vows: 02 February 1867
Died: 13 September 1901, St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

1854-1856: St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA *MIS), Novitiate
1856-1857: St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA, Rhetoric
1857-1858: St Louis College, Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, USA, Regency
1858-1860: St Louis Seminary, Grand Boulevard, St Louis MO, USA, Philosophy
1860-1863: St Louis University, Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, USA, Regency and Theology
1863-1864: Xavier University, Evanston Station, Cincinnati OH, USA, Director of Graduate School
1864-1870: Holy Family Church, 12th and May Streets, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Curate, Director of Parish School
1870-1901: St Ignatius College SJ, Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL, USA, Curate, Director of Parish School
1896-1897: Curate, Catechetics in Parish School, President Parish School Association

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 31, Number 1

Obituary

“Father Andrew I O’Neill SJ” p132

Father Andrew I O'Neill SJ, for many years superintendent of schools of the Holy Family Parish Chicago, passed away on Friday afternoon, Sept. 13 after a short illuess.

Father O'Neill was one of the pioneer Catholic educators in Chicago, and one of the best known of the Catholic clergy in the city. He has been associated here with the Jesuit Fathers in their educational work for thirty-six years. He was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, Jan 16, 1828, and after coming to St Louis in 1848, where he was employed for six years at the old Planters' House, he entered the novitiate of the Jesuits at Florissant, Mo, July 19 1854. After the two years novitiate life, he took up the prescribed course of classical studies, passing from them to his course of philosophy, at St Louis University in the fall of 1858. From 1860 to 1862 he filled the position of Prefect in the University, holding also the chair of rhetoric. During this time he prepared himself for admission to Holy Orders. Admitted to the priesthood in 1863, he was called to Cincinnati to take charge of the parish schools connected with St. Francis Xavier's Church.

Recognizing in Father O'Neill abilities for school organization and management, the Provincial, at the request of Father Damen the great missionary, appointed him to the position of Superintendent of Schools of the Holy Family Church in Chicago. He assumed his duties in the Fall of 1864, and from that period to within a short time ago these schools have been under his control.

When Father O'Neill came to this city he found a comparatively small school building on May and Eleventh streets. He leaves six well organized schools as a testimony of the zealous efforts he put forth in the cause of Catholic education. His schools are among the largest and best organized in the Northwest.

The building of the first large school on Morgan Street was commenced in July, 1864, and completed at a cost of $60,000. During its first year the register of pupils ran up to 1058. There have been as many as 2000 pupils in attendance at this school at one time. Branch schools soon became necessary, and in 1866 St Stanislaus School, Eighteenth and Johnson Streets, was begun. Subsequently this school passed under the control of the Sacred Heart Parish, upon its organization in 1872. In 1872 St Veronica's School, Nineteenth and Van Horn Streets, was built. This school afterwards became St Pins' School. In 1868 Father O'Neill found these various buildings inadequate to the needs of the parish, and was obliged to rent a large frame strncture on Maxwell Street, near Jefferson Street. This school became so popular, and in consequence so crowded, that it was deemed necessary to build the St Aloysius' School, at 210 Maxwell Street at a cost of $40,000. Later came the Guardian Angel School, on Forquer Street, in 1874, and in 1878 St Joseph's, also a primary, on West Thirteenth Street. In October, 1887 St Agnes', May and West Fourteenth Streets, was erected. Including the grounds, it cost about $14,000.

Father O'Neill was very materially assisted in his educational work by the Sunday School Association, a society he himself had established in January, 1868. The success of this work may be judged from the society's report for the months of September, October and November, 1868. The average Sunday School attendance per month was 2626. There were distributed during months 213,600 pages of Sunday School matter. Early in his career, Father O'Neill, consonantlv with the aid of the Sunday School Association, began editing a small magazine for children, “The Sunday School Messenger”,' to which by degrees he added “The Sunday School Companion” and “The Mirror”. Although Father O'Neill had been relieved of duties of school superintendence some time ago, he continued to edit these magazines until his death.

Father O'Neill will be missed by many Chicagoans, but most of all by those themselves instructed under him in his younger days, who have children that were growing up under the same direction, and who felt the same reverence and love for him as his life drew to its close. To these and to their parents, the death of their friend and benefactor will provea sad loss.

The crowds who sought news of him when his illness became known, and the steady stream of visitors who came to view his remains as they lay in the parochial residence or in the church, give ample evidence of the univer- sal affectton which was shown him. Throughout the parish, and even beyond its limits, his brethren were accosted and solicitous inquiries made as to his condition. Father O'Neill needed no other testimony of his labors, no other sign of the deep, sweet influence he exercised over the hearts of those who were under his care. In life his work had been amongst children, and in remembrance of his pious zeal for their welfare a special Mass, at which the parochial children attended, was celebrated on the morning of the funeral obsequies. The simple funeral Mass itself was said at ten o'clock on Monday Sept 16, in the presence of a vast concourse of priests and people, Rt Rev Bishop Muldoon giving the last benediction. A large number of people attended the funeral to Calvary, where he was buried in the ground of the Society of Jesus.

Father O'Neill belonged to that class of men who accomplish a vast deal of work in their lives, but the pressure of whose energy is so unobtrusive, so unostentatious, and yet so thoroughly zealous, that without apparent effort they succeed in leaving behind them the most incredible results. Perhaps the very first thing to be noted in him was this quiet efficacious way of his. It is the way to success in the labors of life, whether temporal or spiritual. It is the way of God in his dealings with men. RIP

Born: 21 September 1825, Rathdangan, County Wicklow
Entered: 27 November 1849, St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Final Vows: 15 August 1860
Died: 10 September 1895, St Ignatius College SJ, 12th Street, Chicago IL, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

1849-1851: St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA (MIS), Novitiate
1851-1852: St Louis College, Grand Boulevard, St Louis, MO, USA, Infirmarian
1852-1854: St Joseph’s College SJ, Bardstown, Kentucky, USA, working
1854-1857: St Aloysius Residence, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, working
1857-1861: St Charles Residence, St Charles Street, St Charles MO, USA, working
1861-1870: Holy Family Church, 12th and May Streets, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Teaching in Parish School
1870-1895: St Ignatius College SJ, 12th Street, Chicago IL, USA, Teaching in Parish School
1890-1895: Assists in Parish School

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 24, Number 3

Obituary

“Brother Thomas O’Neill SJ” p487

On Tuesday Sept. 10, just before the sound of the Angelus bell, at noonday, Br Thomas O'Neill passed to his eternal reward, in the seventieth year of his age. He had been confined to his room for nearly ten months past seemingly suffering little pain, but slowly wasting away after his life of hard labor for God and man. During his sickness he was a model of patience and resignation to all, showing what a stock of solid virtue he had acquired by his earnest and continued endeavors.

Through the whole course of his life his devotion to exactness in community exercises had been remarked by all. The punctuality with which he performed his every duty was especially edifying, the more so as his age and infirmities ren- dered this more difficult.

His love for the Blessed Sacrament was tender and devoted. He was often seen - and that too, after death had marked him for its own - walking painfully from his room to attend Mass and receive the consoler of hearts in the chapel, whereas a less brave soul would have waited for our Lord to visit him.

Br O'Neill was born in Co Wicklow, Ireland, in 1825. He came to this country in 1847 in the prime of youth, and in 1849 joined the Society. His life was, in great measure, spent in school work; for he was in his earlier years connected with the schools at Bardstown, Louisvile, Ky, and later with that of St Charles, Mo. In 1861 he was sent to Chicago, where he remained until death called him away. Here, too, he was engaged in school work and thousands of boys came under his control, nor can their affection for their friend and father - for such he was - be easily expressed. He was twenty- seven years treasurer of the Sunday School Association.

The funeral of Br O'Neill was a grand tribute to his memory. The large church was crowded to its utmost capacity with the throng of his friends and admirers, who bewailed his loss. The fife and drum corps and the cadets, who were organized principally by Bro O'Neill, and who were his chief pride, were prominent in the line of the funeral train.

Our departed was called by God through his superiors to have an active part in the care of schools and the education of the young - and well and faithfully did he fulfil his task. His many years of faithful service must certainly give him assurance of participation in God's promise that “those, who instruct many unto justice, shall shine as stars for all eternity”. RIP

Born: 01 August 1921, The Terrace, Glin, County Limerick
Entered: 07 September 1939, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Ordained: 31 July 1953, Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Dublin
Final Vows: 15 August 1959, Sacred Heart College SJ, Crescent, Limerick
Died: 21 February 1995, St Joseph’s, Shankhill, County Dublin

Part of the Cherryfield Lodge, Milltown Park, Dublin community at the time of death.

Parents were National School Teachers

Eldest of three boys

Early education with his father (Timothy) and in 1935 went with his brother to Clongowes Wood College SJ

1939-1941: St Mary’s, Emo, County Laois, Novitiate
1941-1942: Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, Juniorate, UCD (Arts)
1942-1943: Clongowes Wood College SJ, Mungret College SJ, Belvedere College SJ, Supply Teacher
1943-1946: St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly, Philosophy
1946-1948: Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, Juniorate, UCD (Arts)
1948-1950: Sacred Heart College SJ, Crescent, Limerick, Regency
1950-1954: Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Dublin, Theology
1954-1958: Sacred Heart College SJ, Crescent, Limerick, Teaching
1958-1959: Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, Tertianship
1959-1962: Sacred Heart College SJ, Crescent, Limerick, Teaching, Spiritual Father
1962-1963: St Ignatius Rectory, Glenwood Road, Chicago IL, USA (CHG), Studying Counselling at Loyola University, West Sheridan Road, Chicago
1963-1965: Mungret Apostolic School SJ, Mungret, County Limerick, Teaching and Studies in Philosophy
1965-1966: Collegio San Roberto Bellarmino, Via del Seminario, Rome, Italy (ROM), Philosophy Doctoral studies
1966-1967: Mungret Apostolic School SJ, Mungret, County Limerick, Teaching, Philosophy Doctoral studies
1967-1972: Sacred Heart College SJ, Crescent, Limerick, Curate, Spiritual Father, Adult Education
1972-1973: Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Dublin, Lecturing at Milltown Institute
1973-1975: Sacred Heart College SJ, Crescent, Limerick, Director of Adult Education
1975-1976: Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Dublin, Lecturing at Milltown Institute
1976-1977: Betagh House, Temple Villas, Rathmines, Dublin, Spiritual Father, Lecturing at Milltown Institute
1977-1978: Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Dublin, Lecturing at Milltown Institute
1978-1980: Christian Life Communities
1980-1985: Chaplain at Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin
1985-1990: Praying for the Church and Society at Cherryfield Lodge, Milltown Park
1990-1995: Praying for the Church and Society at St Joseph's Centre, Crinken Lane, Shankill, County Dublin

◆ Interfuse No 86 : July 1996

Obituary

Fr Seán Casey (1921-1995)

1st Aug. 1921: Born in Glin, Co. Limerick
Education: Clongowes Wood College
7th Sept. 1939; Entered Society at Emo, Co. Laois
8th Sept. 1941: First Vows at Emo
1941 - 1942: Rathfarnham - Arts at UCD
1942 - 1943: Supplying at Clongowes, Belvedere, Mungret
1943 - 1946: Philosophy at Tullabeg, Co. Offaly
1946 - 1948: Rathfarnham - Arts at UCD
1948 - 1950: Regency at Crescent College, Limerick
1950 - 1954: Theology at Milltown Park
31st July 1953: Ordained Priest at Milltown Park by Archbishop J.C. McQuaid
1954 - 1958: Teacher - Crescent College, Limerick
1958 - 1959: Tertianship at Rathfarnham
1959 - 1962: Teacher, Spiritual Father - Crescent College, Limerick
1962 - 1963; Studied Counselling in Chicago, USA
1963 - 1965: Teacher of Philosophy - Apostolic School, Mungret, Doctorate Studies in Philosophy
1965 - 1966: Teacher of Philosophy - Rome, Doctorate Studies in Philosophy
1966 - 1967: Teacher of Philosophy - Apostolic School, Mungret, Doctorate Studies in Philosophy
1967 - 1969: Spiritual Father and Adult Education - Crescent College, Limerick
1969 - 1972: Ministered in Sacred Heart Church, Limerick and Adult Education
1972 - 1973: Lecturer in Philosophy - Milltown Institute
1973 - 1975: Director of Adult Education - Limerick
1977 - 1980: CLC.
1980 - 1985: Chaplain - "Eye & Ear" Hospital, Dublin
1985 - 1990: Cherryfield Lodge
1990 - 1995: Kilcroney Nursing Home and St. Joseph's Centre, Crinken Lane, Shankill, Co. Dublin
21st Feb. 1995: Died

The words of our Gospel just read really startle us. They contradict our worldly experience and scale of judgements. “Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted”. This does not make sense to us when we feel a great loss and are confronted by the awe and mystery of death. Yet, I think, that it is only in the experience of bereavement that we can come to understand the meaning and truth of these words. For there is a blessedness in mourning that can bring us comfort.

We mourn because we have loved and lose and are loved. And St. John has told us that those who love, live in the light.

When we mourn, we support each other, often in silent, unobtrusive ways. That love between us is a truly blessed thing, for it tells us that God is really present among us and walks with us in our grief.

When we mourn, we often think and talk about the one who is no longer with us. Incidents in his life are recalled, words he spoke, humourous sayings, mannerisms or incidents. This fills out the picture of a person's character and life. But such memories are private recollections, intimate and personal, not shared in public - because they are sacred. But they nourish love. They are a comfort.

When we mourn, we learn what the really important things in life are and accept that suffering and the cross touches every life. We come to understand that a person's worth is not measured by success in life or achievements. It rests on their relationship with God and others, by their sincerity, goodness and generosity.

These were qualities Sean possessed in a remarkable degree. He was blessed with a keen, subtle mind. He loved study and was considered to be a person who would achieve great things in the academic world of philosophy. But ill health constantly interfered with his studies. He had to turn to less burdensome, apostolic work which he pursued with all his kindness and skill.

Then he had the terrible accident that rendered him incapacitated for the remainder of his life.

But I never heard him complain. When I visited him in hospital, I saw many of the beatitudes reflected in his demeanour, gentleness, a poverty of spirit that prevented him from criticizing anybody, Jesuit or non-Jesuit. But frequently I heard him expressing gratitude, especially for the care and kindness he received from the Staff and Community in Kilcroney and St. Joseph's. The patients, too, felt at ease with him, "I like Fr. Casey," a patient said to me the last time I was with him, only two days before he died. "I'd like to meet him and talk with him." This was Sean's apostolate over the last few years as he offered himself daily to be one with the Lord. It is in qualities such as these that true greatness is achieved.

The last great comfort that mourning brings us is that it widens our horizons. Our Lord seems to take us away from the narrow confines of a hospital bed and takes us, as it were, to a cliff-top and directs us to look out at a vast expanse of ocean where death and life intermingle, where love in time flows into love in eternity. Those we love never die. “He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall live for ever” Christ said. This, surely, is the greatest comfort for all who mourn.

Paul Leonard SJ

◆ The Clongownian, 1995

Obituary

Father Seán Casey SJ

Seán Casey was born on the first day of August in 1921 in Glin, Co. Limerick. After school he joined the Jesuits in Emo and took his First Vows there two years later on 8 Sep tember 1941. He broke off his Arts studies, pursued at UCD while living at Rathfarnham Castle; to help out in his old school and, also spent spells in Belvedere and Mungret. From there, he proceeded to Philosophy at Tullabeg and only when he had completed this part of his course in 1946 did he return to Rathfarnham and UCD and complete his Arts degree.

With one year's “regency”, as a Jesuit's years as a teaching scholastic are known, already behind him, Seán spent only two more at the “chalk-face”, this time back in his native Limerick, at the Crescent. He then went on to Milltown Park for the regulation four years of Theology and was ordained after three, on 31 July 1953, by the late Archbishop John Charles McQuaid.

He went back to the Crescent to teach in 1954 and remained at this work and that of Spiritual Father until 1962, with just one intermission, in 1958, when he made his Tertianship at Rathfarnham.

As the Second Vatican Council was ushe ing in a new era for the Church in the autumn of 1962, Seán headed west to study counselling in Chicago. Immediately afterwards, he went to Mungret to teach Philosophy in the Apostolic School and begin his own doctoral studies in Philosophy, which he later pursued in Rome. After a final year in Mungret, he moved once more to the Crescent, when the work of the Apostolic School ended.

For the next five years, he engaged in Adult Education, acted as Spiritual Father in the school (1967-69) and ministered in the Sacred Heart Church (1969-72). A further five years were devoted to teaching Philosophy in the Milltown Institute (1972-3 and 1975-77) and filling the role of Director of Adult Educaiton in Limerick (1973-75). After that Seán worked for the Christian Life Communities movement (formerly the Sodality of Our Lady) for three years and then, in 1980, took up chaplaincy at the Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin.

Seán's own health, never robust, failed in the last period of his life. He spent five years at the Jesuit infirmary, Cherryfield Lodge, and then, in 1990, when the need for more intensive care arose, he went to Kilcroney Nursing Home. He died peacefully at St Joseph's Centre, Crinken Lane, Shankill, Co, Dublin, where Kilcroney had been transferred, on 21 February 1995.

Seán Casey was a humble, even diffident man, whose considerable intellectual gifts were often concealed by his diffidence. His various postings in Dublin and Limerick gave him opportunities to deploy his gifts for study and teaching and the gentle listening which was one of his marked characteristics. May he rest in peace.