Msgr. Farrell, a Priest for More Than Six Decades, Remembered for Tireless Devotion to Parishes He Served
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Catholic Volume 34 No. 26 www.biloxidiocese.org August 25, 2017 Msgr. Farrell, a priest for more than six decades, remembered for tireless devotion to parishes he served BY TERRY DICKSON BILOXI -- Father Paddy Mockler said Msgr. Martin Francis Farrell, who died Aug. 12 at age 86, had every detail of his funeral planned. However, he hadn’t planned for Bishop Louis F. Kihneman, who became bishop of Biloxi in late April, to be the principal cel- ebrant of his funeral Mass. Nor had he planned on having Father Mockler preach the homily. That duty was reserved for his close friend and fellow countryman from County Mayo, Ireland Father Tom McGing, a priest of the Jackson Diocese, who was vacationing in Ireland at the time of Msgr. Farrell’s death, and thus unable to attend the funeral that took place Aug. 18 at Our Msgr. Francis Farrell Lady of Fatima Church. So it fell to Father Mockler, who suc- Ireland, Msgr. Farrell was ordained at the ceeded Msgr. Farrell as pastor of Our Lady Cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow, of Fatima in 2000, to memorialize his pre- Bishop Louis F. Kihneman sprinkles Msgr. Francis Farrell’s casket with holy Ireland for the Diocese of Natchez June 5, decessor, who had served as pastor there water at the beginning of a Mass of Christian Burial on Aug. 18 at Our Lady of 1955. His appointments included Liturgy for 15 years and was well-loved by his Fatima Church in Biloxi. Msgr. Farrell, 86, died on August 12. Photo/Terry Dickson Commission chair; member, Board of parishioners Advisors to Liturgical Apostolate, Diocese “When Bishop (Joseph Lawson) Howze was trying to them,” Father Mockler said. of Biloxi’s Board of Consultors and Diocesan Building talk me in to being the pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, I “It was just incredible how he loved people, how he and Real Estate Committee chair. He served as assistant talked to some of my priest friends and they told me not remembered them and his whole life was geared at serv- pastor at St. Richard, Jackson, and at St. Paul, Vicksburg, to because it never works when a former pastor stays on ing people. Whatever was good for the people – that’s and as pastor at Assumption, Natchez; Sacred Heart, in residence. He’s going to interfere,” Father Mockler what he wanted to do. He was fantastic about visiting the D’Iberville; Our Lady of the Gulf, Bay St. Louis, and said. hospitals. He was very kind and always wanted to do Our Lady of Fatima, Biloxi. “It’s a credit to Msgr. Farrell. We never had a prob- what was best for his people.” lem. He was my number one supporter. We got along Father Mockler described Msgr. Farrell as “very Attention to detail paired with sense of humor great and he was most obliging. I could switch Masses prayerful.” One of his associate pastors in D’Iberville was Father with him at a moment’s notice. He’d do anything for me. “He was a very holy man. He had a lot of faith,” Ron Herzog, who is now bishop-emeritus of Alexandria, Honestly, I cannot say enough good things about him and Father Mockler said. “He prayed the rosary many times La. Every building at Sacred Heart, except for the daily the way he cooperated with me.” every day. He walked around the church here praying the Mass chapel, was built and paid for during Msgr. Father Mockler also remembered Msgr. Farrell as rosary when he could. He prayed the Liturgy of the Farrell’s tenure. someone who “lived his life following Jesus Christ – Hours faithfully and he celebrated Mass every day, even “He loved Sacred Heart Parish and the people of knowing, loving and serving Jesus Christ in his people in in the hospital and the rehab center. If you interrupted Sacred Heart, and he was brokenhearted when Hurricane the Church.” him when he was doing those things or getting ready to Katrina devastated that beautiful facility,” Father Mockler “He had the mind of an elephant. He could remember do those things, he’d basically tell you goodbye. Nothing said. the name of every parishioner in every parish he was would get in the way of his prayers.” ever in, who they were related to and everything about A native of Lacanvey, Westport County, Mayo, SEE MSGR. FRANCIS FARRELL, PAGE 10 2 DIOCESAN EVENTS seminar prepares a person to receive the August 27 September 1 September 16 Baptism in the Spirit and has revolution- Praise Concert, Dinner & ized the Christian lives of millions of Katrina Prayer Service St. James Movie Night Catholics all over the world. Come and Dance August 25, 2017 GULFPORT -- St. James Family be blessed by the power of the Holy • BILOXI – The 12th Annual Hurricane Spirit! While there is no charge for this Katrina Prayer Service will be held on Movie Night will be September 1 at 6:30 OCEAN SPINGS -- St. Alphonsus p.m. in the Parish Center. The featured Parish is having a Praise Concert, Dinner seminar, please pre-register. Space is Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic limited. Love Offering will be taken. Church, 177 First Street. Come cele- presentation will be “The Greater & Dance on Sept. 16. It will be held at Glory.” In late 1920s Mexico, retired the “ Parish Life Center” which used to For more information, call or mail brate, remember, heal, look forward with CCRNO:[email protected] or (504) 828- hope vision and learning. Gen. Gorostieta (Andy Garcia) and his be called the K.C. Hall. The times for wife (Eva Longoria) watch their country this super event is from 6-9 p.m. This 1368 or www.ccrno.org. degenerate into violent civil war when will be a benefit for the St. Al’s youth August 28 the government enacts a series of anti- program. Donation tickets will be sold Gulf Pine Catholic September 18 clerical laws. Gorostieta is at first hesi- starting today $35 per couple and $20 for Financial Peace University tant to join the rebels, known as Cristeros, a single. Everyone over 21 is invited and Sacred Heart Adult Bible until he begins to see the cost of reli- welcome. The menu will be seafood Class GULFPORT -- Not making progress gious persecution on his countrymen. gumbo, chicken and sausage jambalaya, on your financial goals? Wish you could Though the odds are against him, the potato salad, French bread, tossed salad, DEDEAUX -- Sacred Heart Catholic give more? Financial Peace University general nevertheless transforms a ragtag dessert, ice cold lite beer, red or white Church - Registration has begun for the (FPU) teaches you God’s ways of han- band of rebels into a formidable fighting wine. The beautiful music will be pro- Adult Bible Class eight-week video dling money. It teaches you about bud- force. Admission is free. Feel free to vided by our St. Al~Phonics. Tickets will series by Ascention Press, ‟John, Follow gets, saving, giving, insurance, and many bring a snack. be sold through the parish office during Me” presented by Edward Sri. more financial topics. You shouldn’t be office hours (228) 875-5419 or contact It will be on Monday nights at 6:30 living with financial stress. Live with Jane Sema at (228) 217-1392, jsema@ beginning Sept. 18-Nov. 6 at the Cursillo financial peace. Classes start Monday, September 3 osstalphonsus.org Center. August 28, at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph’s, Cost is $25 per person or $35 per Gulfport, in Depew Hall, and meet each St. Peter Homecoming September 16 married couple. Deadline to turn in the Monday for 9 lessons. Call Ed Brennan BASSFIELD -- St. Peter Catholic money is Sept. 3, so we can get the mate- for details (228) 234-7601. Church will hold its annual Homecoming St. Joseph Drawdown rial ordered and it be here in a timely Celebration on Sun., Sept. 3, beginning manner. August 29 with 10 a.m. Mass. Pastor Father Peter GULFPORT -- St. Joseph Catholic Please contact Diane Necaise at (228) Kmiecik will be the celebrant. At noon, Church, 12290 Depew Road, will host 255-5232 home or (228) 216-5231 cell there will be lunch in the parish hall. its First Annual Drawdown and Silent for any questions. KC Council 6872 Pulled There are fun activities planned for the Auction on Saturday, September 16, in Experience the Joy of Following Pork Fundraiser afternoon with Bingo, featuring wonder- Depew Hall. The grand prize is $10,000! Christ -- Following Christ takes more ful prizes including TV, laptop, iPad, Tickets are now available in the parish than simply believing in him or doing PICAYUNE -- Knights of Columbus games, kitchen stuff and many others! office or you can contact Barbara Brock what he asks of us. Jesus wants you to be Council 6872 will host a Memorial At 8 p.m., there will be a dance in the for ticket information. Tickets are $100, more than just a believer -- He wants you Scholarship Fund Pulled Pork Luncheon parish hall with music by Bo Foster & admit two adults, or $50 admits one (21 to be his disciple and friend. Follow Me: on Tues., Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hayden Creek. Tickets are $10. years of age and older only). It includes Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John is at the KC Hall, 408 Carroll St. Dine-in dinner and beverages. Contact Barbara your guide to a personal encounter with or take-out/$80 (pre-orders), $10 (day Brock, chairperson, at (228) 223-1059 or Christ.