Fr Paddy O’Kane to be laid to rest today

AN “honourable, sincere and gentle” priest who spent almost a decade ministering to the people of Strabane, is to be laid to rest this afternoon (Thursday).

Fr Paddy O’Kane, originally from Culdaff in Donegal, had been a curate at St Mary’s of Melmount from 1982 until 1990 and later served as parish priest of the Holy Family Parish in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry. He passed away on Monday.

Described as a man with a “huge and loving heart,” Fr O’Kane’s Requiem Mass will take place at Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty at 2pm today, with burial afterwards at Culdaff.

“Today is a very sad day for us all,” Strabane priest and friend of Fr O’Kane’s, Fr Declan Boland lamented.

“Paddy O’Kane, myself and Con McLaughlin were ordained together by the late Bishop Neil Farren on June 10, 1973 in the Church of St Pius X in Moville, Co Donegal, my home parish.

“I have known him all those years as a brother priest, colleague and a dear friend. We both stated our ministry in July ‘73 in Derry – he was sent to St Eugene’s Cathedral and I started in St Patrick’s, Pennyburn. We were part of a Fraternity for Priests for over 40 years and we met once a month to pray together and discuss contemporary issues.

“Fr Paddy had a huge and loving heart, constantly available to everyone at any time, a true and genuine shepherd,” Fr Boland explained.

“He had boundless energy and enthusiasm and brought a great pace and intensity of approach to his ministry. He literally could not say ‘no’ to anyone – he spent his life unstintingly and selflessly in the vineyard of the Lord, ” Fr Boland continued.

Although Fr O’Kane suffered from ill-health in recent times, Fr Boland remarked that his friend never lost the joy of priesthood and moreover, had a “wonderful playful approach” at times to his ministry work.

“He was a true son of God,” Fr Boland continued. “An honourable, sincere and gentle soul. Rest in peace good brother, your work on earth is done.”

Parish priest at St Mary’s of Melmount, Fr Michael Doherty remarked that, “several generations of Melmount parishioners were greatly saddened this week,” at Fr O’Kane’s passing.

“A hard working and dedicated priest, Fr Paddy showed in his ministry a caring, individual and talented personality,” Fr Doherty said. “What he brought to us in Melmount was previously shared with parishioners in St Eugene’s Cathedral, and afterwards in Holy Family Parish, Ballymagroarty where he was parish priest for more than 30 years with a short time also spent in Moville. For the past few years Fr Paddy suffered much ill-health and those years were very difficult for him. He looked for comfort from his faith in God and often could be seen walking on the quayside in Derry praying the Rosary.

“We thank God for allowing us in Melmount to be part of his ministry and we pray that he is now at peace.”

Announcing his death on Monday, a statement from Fr O’Kane’s home parish of The Three Patrons remarked, “Fr Paddy was well loved and respected near and far for his loving and wholehearted dedication to his priestly ministry and pastoral care to so many people, especially in times of trouble and great suffering. We will miss his words of wisdom, kind heart and good humour.”