County Roscommon priest who spent many years as a missionary in Brazil is laid to rest
Fr Jim Heneghan C.S.Sp on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood last year.
A County Roscommon priest who spent many years as a missionary father in Brazil was laid to rest last week.
Rev. Jimmy Heneghan C.S.Sp, Kimmage Manor and late of Rathlena, Granlahan, Ballinlough, passed away on Saturday, November 16th.
He was son of the late Bridget (née Mullarkey) and Jim Heneghan. He was also predeceased by his brother, Jack; sisters, Eileen and Margaret (Peggy) and brother-in-law, Tom Conneally (Glenamaddy). Deeply regretted by his two sisters, Mary Conneally (Glenamaddy) and Bridie / Sr Attracta PBVM (Presentation Convent, Tuam);sister-in-law Anne (Rathlena), nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, extended family, friends, Brazilian migrant communities in the West of Ireland and fellow Spiritans. Funeral Mass took place in St. Patrick’s Church, Granlahan on Thursday last followed by burial in Kildaree Cemetery.
Fr. Jimmy has been described as a man with “a missionary heart of generosity and good humour, both on his overseas assignments and also at home in his generous outreach of welcome and hospitality to the Brazilian community in the West of Ireland and in particular in the Sacred Heart Parish in Roscommon Town”.
“Like many retired missionaries in Ireland, Father Jimmy had no intention of sitting silently in a room. He has made himself available for ministry in the Diocese of Elphin, serving the great Brazilian community, not only in Elphin, but also in the neighbouring dioceses. He lived and worked among us for many years, giving so much of himself, until health issues forced him to retire at Kimmage,” said the Diocese of Elphin His death marks the end of an era.
Thanks to the foundations he laid, there is a vibrant Brazilian Catholic community in the diocese.
