Homily for Funeral Mass of Fr. Seán Sexton, PE, RIP
Thursday 21st of November 2024
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Inagh
They say that the reason God created us was that he liked stories and those great narratives unfold when we return to meet Him on passing from this world.
While browsing in a book shop the first place I love to go to is the biography section, with an abundance of colourful life stories on display.
Similar to many, in the modern electronic world, I confess to being a lapsed Irish Times reader. When I was faithful in that regard, apart from the simplex crossword the obituary section on a Saturday was always a great draw with nourishing food for thought.
One of the great reasons to be a member of the Lahinch Golf club is that the course manager there, Paddy Keane sends out engaging obituaries of deceased members via email. Yesterday’s missive included the following:
Fr. Sean joined Lahinch Golf Club in 1993 and enjoyed playing golf on the links with his close friends, whenever he had the opportunity for some downtime from his pastoral work. He was a charismatic man who gave of his time willingly and his compassion, guidance, wisdom, optimism and sense of humour will be remembered by all who knew him.
Having read so many beautiful tributes to Seán in the past few days, that, in many ways that sums up the man so well, a lovely human being we were privileged to know. A pastor who made such a positive contribution to priesthood, the diocese of Killaloe and the many, many lives he touched, mainly in his native county here, but much further afield also.
Kingdom Values
On Sunday next we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. In the Mass that day the preface prays for the coming of the Kingdom of God on this earth, the charter of the Gospel. It prays for:
An eternal and universal kingdom,
A kingdom of truth and life,
A kingdom of holiness and grace,
A kingdom of justice, love and peace.
The 1960’s and 1970’s were extraordinary times of great innovation in the diocese of Killaloe. The bishop of the time, Michael Harty had a clear plan for putting flesh on those values of the kingdom of God by training bright young, energetic clergy in very specific ways to equip them to bring about the Kingdom of God through the values and social teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Examples of innovation
- People like Fr. Brendan O’Donoghue developed an interest in the provision of Social Services, care of the elderly and special needs.
- Brian Geoghegan and Fr. Pat Sexton, amongst other were great innovators with the multifaceted work of Clarecare.
- Harry Bohan did pioneering work in caring for those in need in the area of housing, safeguarding of rural areas and development of community.
- Martin O’Brien developed an expertise in primary catechesis.
- A number of great educators at second level developed the minds, cultural and sporting abilities of many students in St. Flannan’s college.
- In the midst of all that Fr. Seán Sexton trained specifically in the area of youth work in the community, an area that he gave four decades of amazing service to and excelled at.
A friend of many years who worked closely with Seán in that area remarked yesterday that his great gift in that area was that he listened intently to everyone who came, he had an unwavering sympathy for the person in trouble, the underdog in life. Beyond that he gave staff a great sense of freedom and trust to those with whom he worked to put into practice the great skills and ideals that he taught and shared so generously from his huge store of wisdom.
The great measure of something founded anew is how well it grows and develops after the founder has moved on and the great work Clare Youth Services continues to do in so many areas of the county is testament to the great foundations and structures set up by Fr. Seán.
Vision of Pope Francis – Church of the Poor
In conversation with Bishop Willie Walsh last evening his view what that one would do well to find a priest more dedicated to the vision of Pope Francis in working for the Church of the Poor and Marginalised. This manifested itself in his preferential option for the young person who was in trouble and those who had nothing as shown in his ongoing work with his brother-in-law Liam in helping the poor in India over many years.
At one point, some years ago Bishop Willie commented to me that if I ever wanted a good person to seek advice from – Fr. Seán was the man!
Pastoral Placements
His call to build up the Kingdom values of Jesus Christ took him from his native Lisseycasey to be educated at St. Flannan’s, Maynooth, Swansea university to minister in Gort, Birr, Nenagh, Ennis Vocational School, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry, Clare Regional Youth Council, Clare Youth Service, then Parish Ministry in Inagh-Kilnamona and Cloonanaha and the wider Críocha Callan pastoral area.
It was here in this parish that Seán found a most welcoming home in the twilight years of ministry and loved the place and people here, where he continued to say Mass every Friday, enjoying the freedom the take a break from Carrigoran.
St. Flannan’s Well
I have vivid memories here of a lovely evening in Sean’s company in August of 2019 in the home of Johnny Barry, God rest him. Johnny was 90 then and had been guardian of St. Flannan’s well for the previous 70 years. Fr. Seán was so at home that evening on that significant historical occasion, marking a great community tradition and rejoicing among the people of the parish to whom he had ministered for so many years and knew so well.
Family and Friends
Friends and especially family were of central importance for Seán, not least his soul-mate Pat whom he contacted without fail every single day and all other members of the family also, Sr. Mary and Frances, brother-in-law Liam and all the extended family.
Sympathies and condolences to all the family in their heart breaking loss.
The huge number of people who filed past here yesterday bore great testimony to his capacity for human and friendly engagement.
Gospel Consolation
The Gospel of his patron, St. John that we read today assures us that there are many rooms in the Father’s house. Consoling and hope filled thoughts as we cope with the loss and sadness of the departure of someone who was much loved and revered.
No more than any of us, Fr. Seán was not without his faults and failings and one of the many thanks that we do in our funeral liturgy today is praying for the happy repose of his soul, that he might enjoy the many rooms of the Father’s House in Heaven.
The Cross
Someone reminded me earlier of the huge image of the Cross that was in Seán’s room in Carrigoran. It’s an almost life-size etching of Joseph of Arimithea taking Jesus down off the Cross. Seán was a man that knew the true meaning of the Cross in all he suffered over the last 20 years. His illness was borne with dignity and courage. May he reap the rewards of his patience, fortitude and great example.
Eternal rest to a noble soul. Consolation to all who mourn his loss.
On this feast of the Presentation of Mary in the temple we present the soul of a much beloved pastor of Killaloe diocese to the mercy, kindness and compassion of the Lord.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Patron saint of youth and Blessed Carlo Acutis to be canonized during this coming year of hope, pray for him and all the faithful departed, Amen!