NECROLOGY Fr. Thomas of St. Joseph. With feelings of deep regret we announce the death of a well-known member of St. Patrick’s Province, Rev. Father Thomas of St. Joseph, which took place at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, on June 19th., 1947, in the sixty-ninth year of his age and the forty-first year of his priesthood. Known in the world as Matthew Heffernan, the late Fr. Thomas was born at Kilmacow, Co. Kilkenny, on October 30th., 1872. A love for the Passionist Congregation marked his youth, for his elder brother, Fr. Frederick Heffernan, C.P., – who died in 1911, aged forty-two years – had preceded him in a religious vocation. In fact, shortly after his brother’s ordination, Father Thomas too sought admission among the sons of St. Paul of the Cross and made his religious profession at St. Saviour’s Retreat, Broadway, Worcs. On April 6th., 1898. After the usual course of ecclesiastical studies, he was raised to the priesthood on September 22nd., 1906. Almost at once Fr. Thomas commenced the distinctive work of missions and retreats in which the greater part of his life was spent. For this special Passionist apostolate Fr. Thomas was admirably fitted; he had a fine presence and a commanding appearance, a vigorous style of preaching and an alert and cultured mind. More than this however, he was sympathetic and considerate with those who sought his counsel, prudent and far-seeing in his admonitions, patient and persevering in dealing with any difficulties which he encountered. He had likewise, the great gift of imparting confidence; for people felt instinctively that they could rely upon his advice and that it was based upon a wide and varied experience with many types of souls. About 1918 Fr. Thomas was invited to assist the Passionist Fathers of the Argentine Province, whose missionary work embraced a large Irish population in South America. Although it meant a big sacrifice, Fr. Thomas did not hesitate one moment in responding to the call. For more than ten years he laboured in Buenos Aires and in many more distant parts of the Argentine republic, where he journeyed far afield to country Estancias to bring the memory of the Passion and the lessons of the Cross before the minds of scattered Irish exiles and native sons of Argentina. His zealous and self-sacrificing apostolate is remembered with affection, and his memory is held in benediction beneath the Southern Cross. On his return to Ireland Fr. Thomas was elected Rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast, an office which he held for two successive terms, (1929-1935). During his Rectorship he was responsible for many improvements in the church and adjoining Retreat, whilst his parochial administration was fruitful in blessings for the good people of Ardoyne. He was a most zealous, enlightened and devoted priest, who won the respect and the affection of all classes and creeds in Belfast. In 1936 he was appointed Superior of the Passionist Preparatory College, St. Patrick’s Retreat, Wheatfield House, Belfast, where he remained in charge for several years. Here too he displayed the same spirit of earnest and unselfish work which had marked his previous administration. His genial disposition endeared him to all, whilst his solid yet unobtrusive piety was a source of unfailing edification. His last years were spent at St. Paul’s Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin. The rigours of the past severe winter aggravated his state of health, whilst an affection of the heart gradually supervened, until it was clear that his active life was almost over. He himself asked for the doctor’s verdict and accepted the diagnosis with calm resignation. His preparation for death was thorough and painstaking. He received the Last Sacraments with great fervour and each night before the community retired to rest he asked for absolution, until in the peace of the Lord he calmly breathed his last. May he rest in peace.