Funeral Homily for Fr. Martin O’Brien, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Tulla, Co. Clare, 21st of September, 2024
“Is it yourself that’s in it?
Tiz only me…”
The standard greeting of Fr. Martin when he called on the phone. Always pleasant, chatty, good humoured and interested in catching up on what was happening in the diocese. Fr. Martin was very much a people’s person, a man who lived life in appreciation of the many wonders and good things this world has to offer.
Catechist
“I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” From the Gospel of the day, St. Matthew whose feast day we celebrate today. Being a committed and dedicated Catechist all his life, Fr. Martin inhabited that world of child-like wonder in marvelling and appreciating what life had to offer. Childlike, not childish but child-centred, Fr. Martin had a very mature and wise understanding of this world and faith matters and he was a stabilising and wise influence in the many communities in which he served.
It may not be a coincidence but a God-incidence that the Gospel of Matthew is regarded as the great teaching Gospel ordered and arranged in logical pedagogical units or discourses. I’m sure it is also quite providential that in the early hours of last Tuesday morning when Fr. Martin returned to God in Limerick hospital it happened to be the Feast of Robert Bellarmine, a Jesuit saint and patron of Catechists, a man who wrote two Catechisms, commentaries on the psalms and devotional reflections on The Seven Last Words of Jesus.
Conversationalist
No more than the learned St. Matthew and the loquacious Bellarmine – Fr. Martin loved to talk and give detailed accounts of what was on his mind. When you heard him clear the throat and slowly warm to his topic one knew that it was going to be a journey that avoided short cuts, as every twist and turn of the story would be relived in its totality!
Country Man at Heart
True to his rural upbringing in Doon, Tubber and Crusheen, and being close to the land Martin’s conversation was interspersed with rural imagery. At the end of a meeting he would make the comment that there “was lot of hay scattered out” in the conversations had. At one point after recovering from illness – he phoned the diocesan office and informed Claire the secretary that he was reporting for work, ready, available and surely the bishop would be able to put him “standing in a gap somewhere…!”
Dedicated Priestly Service
Ordained on the Solstice, mid-Summer’s day in Dysert Church 1970 and laid to rest on this Equinox day 54 years later his life and ministry was a great testimony to dedication and genuine service in the vineyard of the Lord. Following renovations of the Church in Dysert next door to home, both Fr. Martin and Fr. Peter O’Loughlin were ordained on the same day. It mut have been quite a challenge to fit the families and friends of two ordinands into a small rural Church. Fr. Peter further tells me that even though it was mid-Summer it was shocking wet day, which made it even more interesting…
Religious Family
Religion and religious life was like an epidemic in the in the O’Brien family. Three priests and two nuns. Not a bad contribution from one household! Fr. Michael MHM, Dublin, Mgr. Patrick, USA, Sr. Clare FMSA, Sr. Kathleen, RSM, the light of heaven to them all.
Obviously John didn’t get that memo, but no doubt he would contend someone had to stay at home and look after the farm.
Family meant so much to Fr. Martin. Going home for lunch on a daily basis to John and Mary meant so much to him and linking in with all the family members. His visits will be sadly and dearly missed.
Dearly Missed
Fr. Martin will be so sadly missed by all, his many family and friends, the many places where he ministered, not least here in Tulla where he was so happy in his twilight years.
Commiserations and condolences to all who mourn his passing. We pray in this mass for the happy repose of his soul, that he would be forgiven any failings or shortcomings he might have had, due to our shared human condition. Our hope is in the Resurrection of the Lord, who gives us light, courage, consolation and hope.
Angels of the Lord
The Lion is the symbol for St. Mark.
The Ox being the emblem of St. Luke.
The Eagle represents St. John.
The Angel is the symbol for St. Matthew.
May the Angels of God accompany the gentle, child-centred soul of Fr. Martin, faithful priest of Killaloe diocese and family man of Imeall Bóirne to the bosom of Abraham, the hermitage of heaven, díseart na bhflaitheas. Leaba aige i measc na Naomh. Áiméan!
Fr. Martin O’Brien PE
Tulla Parish
Ceanntar na Lochanna Pastoral Area
Martin O’Brien was born on 19th November 1944, he was a native of Crusheen Parish. He undertook his studies for Priesthood in St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He was ordained on 21st June 1970, in Dysart Church, Ruan. His first appointment was to St. Flannan’s College whilst also undertaking a Higher Diploma in Education. In July 1971 he undertook postgraduate studies in theology in St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. In July 1972 he was appointed substitute Dean of Studies in Maynooth for 1 year. In July 1973 he was appointed to the Staff of St. Patricks Comprehensive in Shannon. In July 1975 he became Director of Catechetics in Primary Schools. In July 1991 he also became curate in Ruan. He was appointed to Kinnity in 1995. In 1996 he was appointed Curate in Borrisokane, a year later he was appointed Parish Priest of Borrisokane. In 2003 he undertook a course in pastoral studies at Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy. In 2004 he was appointed to Tulla Parish. He retired as Parish Priest of Tulla in 2017 and ministered in both Abbey and Ceanntar Na Lochanna Pastoral Areas in the years since.
He died on September 17th 2024.
May He Rest in Peace.
Funeral Arrangements: Reposing in Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church, Tulla (V95 NN53) Friday Evening from 5pm with Funeral Prayers at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 2pm followed by burial in the church grounds.