Up to 400 Columban relatives braved the rain and the cold to attend Cemetery Sunday on 9th June 2024 in Dalgan.
Fr Jim Fleming from CastleIsland Co Kerry was the principal celebrant at the Mass, after which the graves of our Columban deceased were blessed.
Fr Jim ministered in the Philippines, Pakistan and in Britain. He is now based in Ireland.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
In his homily, Fr Jim told those assembled that in the 106 year history of the Columbans the total number of deceased to date is 774 of whom 420 are buried here in Dalgan, 19 buried elsewhere in Ireland and 335 buried in other countries, mainly where they were assigned at the time of their death.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
Full text of Fr Jim’s homily here:
Today is the annual day of remembrance and prayer for our deceased fellow Columbans and a time to welcome you the families and friends of your brother, brother-in-law, uncle or nephew now interred here in this cemetery and in other cemeteries around the world.
Our sense of loss is tempered by precious memories that hint at immortality. You may be interested to know that in our Columban Society of 106 years the total number of deceased to date is 774 of whom 420 are buried here in Dalgan, 19 buried elsewhere in Ireland and 335 buried in other countries, mainly where they were assigned at the time of their death.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
The names of all Columbans who have died across the world are engraved on the marble slabs behind the altar here. All of us here have come from different places and stages in our journey through life.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
Our paths are varied – we look at life in different ways – some of us may hold strong religious beliefs while others may have none. I welcome you all no matter what your life stance may be and trust that in the time given, we can all continue to celebrate the lives of our deceased loved ones.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
The German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that “nothing can make up for the absence of someone we love. It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap; God doesn’t fill it, but keeps it empty and so helps to keep alive our former communion”.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
To those of us who believe, each person is a gift from God. Each person’s life has meaning and each person leaves a legacy. So it’s important to celebrate and give voice to the memory of deceased loved ones. And that’s why we are here today remembering them and reliving our relationship with them.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
Death does not break the bonds of love. When we love someone who has been part of our lives, we know they leave an absence no one else can fill. A part of us is lost that can never be replaced. Sometimes we can let go with relief but sometimes there will also be a hint or a sense of guilt as we recall things we should have said or done when we had a chance but did not do or say before they died.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
Each person buried here ministered in some part of the Columban world. I’m sure that most of them were faithful stewards of the gifts God gave them and shared those gifts with the people among whom they were called to serve. Some of them died suddenly, some after a long illness, some peacefully and some were martyred. Life can be taken away from us in the twinkling of an eye.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh
However, the brevity and fragility of life also bring home to us how precious is the treasure we carry in earthen vessels. For us Christians, we live in the hope of the Resurrection . This means that for us death is not the end but the beginning of a new life, a door opening into paradise. All buried here are now at rest. May we one day share that peace and rest with them. Eternal rest grant on to them O Lord.
Cemetery Sunday 2024. Photo: Fr Pat Raleigh