THERE ARE memories which, apparently subconsciously impressed, are strangely, unaccountably enduring. My lasting recollection of Fr. Edward Kennedy, for all my years of familiarity with him, is that of a shy, pale-faced boy, two years my junior, being welcomed into the embarrassing, new world of alumniate life on his first day at St. Patrick’s, Wheatfield House, Belfast. I can still see the quiet. disarming smile with which he countered – and left unanswered – the unconsciously prying questions prompted by the typical curiosity that the arrival of a new boy excites in his already-initiated fellow- students. If this memory remains clear and unclouded after more than forty years, perhaps the explanation is that, in all that period, Fr. Edward never seemed to alter appreciably in temperament or disposition. Indeed it could be said of him that he smiled his way through life. And that was not always easy in situations and circumstances so delicately poised as those of his fully-occupied ministry so often were.
Ray Kennedy was born, in 1911, in Curry, Co. Sligo. One can readily appreciate how, at the first stirring of vocation, his youthful thoughts would have turned towards the Passionists. He was a grand-nephew of the famous FF. Pius and Arthur Devine and a cousin of Fr. Bede Devine. Another cousin, Fr. Ultan Devine, was a fellow-student with him in the alumniate.
Professed in 1929, Fr. Edward’s student course was cast in years during which an acute accommodation problem in the Province necessitated emergency adjustments and arrangements to provide facilities for formal study: he studied at St. Gabriel’s, Enniskillen, Holy Cross, Belfast, and finally at Mount Argus, Dublin, where he was ordained in 1935.
Six months later, his first appointment – an obvious acknowledgment of his undoubted ability – assigned him as lector to the students at Holy Cross, Belfast. In the summer of 1936, he was transferred to the neighbouring community of St. Patrick’s, Belfast, where, as a member of the teaching staff he remained until 1942. Then came five years at St. Mary’s, Drum-mohr – the greater part of which was given to the pastoral care of the Wallyford area of the parish committed to the charge of our Fathers.
This – his first assignment in Scotland – was destined to plant the fertile seed of the future life-work of Fr. Edward’s priestly zeal and apostolic activity. But, as yet there were no immediate signs of these things to come. In 1947, he returned to the Juniorate – this time as superior. His never-robust health, however, allied to a somewhat nervous temperament, forced him to resign this charge in the following year, and he joined the newly-formed community at St. Michael’s, Dankeith. From there, in 1950, he moved once more to Drum-mohr – again to assume charge of the Wallyford district. But later in the same year, on the death of Fr. Canice Timmons, he was assigned as assistant to Fr. Dominic Poland in the parish of Prestonpans and transferred to the recently-acquired parochial residence there. The great work and love of his life had really begun. It was his last work tool for, succeeding Fr. Vincent Sweeney as priest-in-charge, it was at Prestonpans that the zealous life of Fr. Edward ended so tragically on the morning of Monday, 22nd January, 1968.
Yet despite the sad setting of the attendant circumstances, it was there, one feels sure, among the people of his deep concern and priestly predilection, that he would have wished to surrender his soul to God. Eighteen years of his self-sacrificing, dedicated ministry had been spent in their midst. And though unqualified tribute must rightfully be paid to every Passionist who laboured to build up the parish of Prestonpans, it is pre-eminently to the efforts of Fr. Edward that one must attribute the lasting monuments of the first Catholic school and the magnificent church which will ever be associated with his name and achievements in that locality.
But greater even than these tangible tokens of his zeal, his priestly character won an enduring place in the affections of his responsive people. His sedulous care of the sick, his unfailing approachability, his understanding sympathy and solicitude, and his genuine interest in everything that concerned his flock –these were characteristic qualities which endeared him to all and captured the deep-rooted, appreciative affection of the People of God committed to his care. His personal knowledge of every parishioner – true tribute to his assiduous visitation – made him the valued, trusted confidant and cherished friend of every home and household. When, therefore, the sad tidings of his sudden death spread through the parish on that tragic Monday morning, there was no home that did not feel a sense of personal loss, that was not enveloped in the dark shadows of family mourning.
Even yet, it is hard to appreciate that he is gone from our midst: it is difficult to think of this inadequate tribute, this insufficient appreciation, in terms of the obituary notice of Fr. Edward. There was nothing to indicate, even remotely, that his being confined to the house for four days previous to his death – to ease the strain on a painful foot – was anything more than a temporary indisposition: neither medical diagnosis nor Fr. Edward’s uncomplaining attitude afforded grounds for thinking otherwise. Even when his confrere at Prestonpans, Fr. Alban, visited him at eight o’clock on the last morning of his life, Fr. Edward brightly assured him, “I am feeling ever so much better today.” These were his last known words. An hour later when Fr. Alban returned from celebrating the 8.15 Mass, Fr. Edward was breathing his last. Unobtrusive in death, as always in life, he went to the Master whom he had served so well.
The sorrowing congregation which crowded the church for the Mass for the repose of his soul on Wednesday night, and again for his Requiem on Thursday morning, told, more eloquently than words, of the grieving love of his mourning people. More than two hundred of them made the long journey almost fifty miles – to pay their last respects at his interment in St. Kentigern’s, Lambhill, Glasgow. It was a pilgrimage of sorrowing love – their appreciative salute and fond farewell to the dedicated priest whom they esteemed so dearly.
But appreciation of Fr. Edward extended far beyond the parochial boundaries of Prestonpans. This was graciously evidenced in the fact that His Grace the Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh presided at the concelebrated Requiem Mass, and that his Vicar General and a host of his clergy were present in the sanctuary. The Very Rev. Fr. Valentine, Provincial, was the principal celebrant. The concelebrants were: Fr. Andrew, a brother of Fr. Edward, Fr. Ultan, his cousin, and three of Fr. Edward’s classmates, FF. Raymond, Rector of Drum-mohr, Livinus and Finian. FF. Justinian and Alban were Assistants at the Throne. Fr. Andrew officiated at the graveside. May the gentle soul of Father Edward Kennedy rest in peace.
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Rev. Fr. EDWARD KENNEDY, C.P.
RATHER SUDDENLY AND unexpectedly, on Monday, January 22nd, 1968, at St. Gabriel’s, Prestonpans, East Lothian, the death took place of Rev. Fr. Edward Kennedy, C.P., at the age of fifty-six years.
The late Fr. Edward, a native of Curry, Co. Sligo, made his Passionist profession at St. Gabriel’s, Enniskillen, on November 16th, 1929. He completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Paul’s Mount Argus, Dublin, and was ordained at Clonliffe College, Dublin, on June 15th, 1935, by Dr. Wall, Bishop of Thasos. For a short time he was superior of the Passionist Preparatory College, Belfast, but the greater part of his priestly life was spent in Scotland, where, for more than twenty years, Fr. Edward was priest-in-charge of St. Gabriel’s, Prestonpans.
Fr. Edward’s whole interest was devoted to the people of Prestonpans. Unwearying in his visitation of the parish, he had an intimate knowledge of the people and their problems. Mainly a mining town, Prestonpans passed through difficult times during the depression in the coal industry. Yet there was ever an open door, friendly counsel, practical advice and a cheerful word from Fr. Edward.
Never very robust, Fr. Edward sometimes found the wearying demands of the ministry and the apostolate a heavy burden. Yet he was unfailingly cheerful and optimistic, usually with a smile on his face, and it was very seldom indeed that any problem seemed to daunt him.
In 1966 he saw the fulfilment of a long-cherished ambition when the ultra-modern church of St. Gabriel, costing £40,000 was blessed and opened by Archbishop Gray of St. Andrew’s and Edinburgh.
Fr. Edward is survived by his brother, also a Passionist, Rev. Fr. Andrew Kennedy, C.P.
May he rest in peace
(The Cross, Vol. 58; 1967-68; No. 11, page 15)