The Reverend Kevin (McKeown) C.P. . The Patriarch of the Province of St. Joseph is dead. Father Kevin of the Sacred Heart died oh December 12th 1947, at the Hospital of the Sisters of St. Paul at Selly Park, after a prolonged illness borne with exemplary patience and courage. For some time now he has been confined to his room, and it is several years since he has been able to do any priestly work. Father Kevin was born on October 21st, 1865, at Abingdon in the United States, of Irish parents, emigrants to America. He was bought back to Ireland at an early age, and sent to St. Malachy’s Seminary, Armagh for signs of a priestly vocation had been early manifest. It seems to have been’ at this period that Ralph MoKeown – for that was his name in the world – had a bad fall, the effects of which lasted throughout life in the shape of almost constant pain in the head. With the exception (as he once told the writer) of the years in Australia this veritable martyrdom was lifelong. At some time unknown, during his stay in the Seminary, the call to the Religious Stat, and more particularly to our Congregation, made itself clear to the young student, and he left to be a Postulant at our Retreat of St. Mary’s, Harborne, Birmingham. In 1884 he made his Religious Profession at Broadway. In August 1887, Father Kevin, now a Sub-Deacon, became Prefect of Studies, in charge of the Harborne students. After due examination he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Ilsley, the Auxiliary of the Diocese, in our own Church, and he received the priesthood in 1888. He gave a mission in Harborne Church in the Lent of 1890 as a colleague of Father Edmund (Mclntyre) C.P. Thus early began a career as a missioner, in which for zeal and eloquence Father Kevin was surpassed by few of his contemp-ories. In a few years be wan transferred to Holy Cross, Ardoyne, Belfast, At that time, Australia, and its problems for our Congregation was a matter of concern to those in Authority. Volunteers were asked for, and obtained. The young Father Kevin answered the call, and spent many fruitful busy years in Australia, where as a missioner, his companion was on many occasions, the late Father Hilary Mara, C.P. of revered memory. In the summer of 1900 Father Kevin returned to England and resumed his work as a missioner. That work took him over Great Britain and Ireland, everywhere marked by the same qualities of fervour and zeal, notably in the Confessional. After his return to these countries, the Congregation showed its appreciation of Father Kevin by appointing him to the charge of various Retreats – Broadway , Carmarthen, Suttont Belfast and lastly Harborne where he was Rectgor from 1932-1935. There was also a period – from I920-1926 – whwn he was local superior at Hene Bay. During the Harborn Rectorship he had the consolation of celebrating the Golden Jubilee of his Religious Profession on 6th March, 1934. He was succeeded as Rector by the late Father Alban, and remained in Harborne, as a member of the Community until his death. One important aspect of Father Kevin*a life must not be overlooked. On the outbreak of the first world war In 1914 he volunteered as a Chaplain, and did signal service for the whole period of hostilities, as many other Fathers of the Congregation have done In both world war. Of recent years his many Infirmities Increased upon him but were borne with unfailing patience by one who, In spite, of human fallings, had always been a true and faithful follower of our Holy Founder and Venerable Dominic. Early In December it was found necessary to remove him to Hospital and the Sisters of St. Paul tended him with loving and efficient care In his last hours, Now that he has gone to his reward at the hands of our Divine Master, after more than eighty years of earthly life, we have no misgiving In exclaiming “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt,XXV, v.21).