Mourners told of priest’s positive impact on parishes across Tyrone

MOURNERS at the Funeral Mass for Fr Seamus McGinley from Ballygawley were told how he made a “deep impact on the social and cultural life on the many parishes” he served in Tyrone and Armagh.

The 70-year-old priest who was stationed at Lissan and Kildress Parish, passed away suddenly last Friday. He was laid to rest on Tuesday in his home parish at St Matthew’s Cemetery, Garvaghey following Requiem Mass in St Michaels’ Church, Lissan.

The Chief Celebrant was Bishop of Clogher, Larry Duffy while the homily was delivered by Fr McGinley’s close friend Monsignor Colum Curry.

Ordained in 1975, Fr McGinley celebrated 45 years in the priesthood last year. Monsignor Curry recalled his journey that took him to the parishes of Knockbridge in Co Louth for three years before he spent 17 years in Portadown, Newtonhamilton and Maghery in Co Armagh. In 1992 he returned to his native Tyrone when he was appointed to Galbally and Donaghmore and subsequently as Parish Priest in Aughnacloy and then Ardboe before serving six years in Beragh. Monsignor Curry replaced Fr McGinley when he became assistant priest in Lissan and Kildress.

Following his sudden passing, many tributes have been paid in acknowledgement of the sterling work he did in the parishes he served.

They included a message from Beragh that spoke of his “pastoral dedication and prayerful support to many families, especially at times of sickness and bereavement”. The Trustees of Galbally Youth & Community Association and the local GAA club, also expressed “deep sadness”. They said, “Fr McGinley’s drive and ambition are the primary reason that we have a Community Centre to be so proud of. He was at the forefront of efforts in the early 90s to galvanise the community around a common goal and spearheaded one of the largest community led projects of its kind”.

Cumann na mBunscol Tír Eoghain described Fr McGinley as a “tremendous supporter” of their activities for the children of the various county parishes in which he ministered while schools in Ardboe and Moortown spoke his unflinching support.

In his homily, Monsignor Curry primarily extended his deepest sympathy to the brothers and sisters and many nephews and nieces of Fr McGinley

He said, “Fr Seamus served this Archdiocese very well. His pastoral care for people rooted in daily prayer the celebration of the Eucharist and his devotion to Our Lady and his personal affection for St Pio has endeared him to young and old alike. He made a deep impact on the social and cultural life of many a-parish.

“He had a love for everything Irish and a passion and interest in Gaelic football with a loyal support for his native Tyrone. That association of Gaelic football has been well expressed in the multitude of glowing comments attributed to him on Facebook and other social media platforms in recent days.”

Monsignor Curry told mourners he recently had a meal with Fr McGinley and spoke of the “shock and deep sadness” many had felt at his sudden passing.

He added that he was “so grateful to have been given the opportunity to celebrate Fr McGinley’s Requiem Mass”.

He also thanked Fr Paddy Hughes and the parishioners of Lissan for marking Fr McGinley’s death with “such dignity” and for the “great send-off” they gave him. .

Fr McGinley is pre-deceased by his parents Francis and Kathleen, sister Eileen and survived by his siblings Anne, Terry, Peggy, Charlie, Bernadette, Carmel, Briege, Marion, Michael and Claire and a wide family circle.