July 19

FR. JAMES COLLINS was born at Swatragh, County Derry, Ireland in 1906. He died at Candelaria, Philippines on July 19, 1959. He was an uncle of Columban Neil Collins. After studying at St. Malachy’s College, Belfast, and at Queen’s University, Belfast, both in Ireland, where he completed his philosophy course, he came to Dalgan seminary in 1927. He was ordained priest there in 1931. Appointed to China, he worked in Hanyang [1932-48]. He was appointed to Australia in 1949 where he did pastoral work. He went to the Philippines in 1951 and worked in the Diocese of Iba. Father Jim was buried at Candelaria, Philippines. He was re-interred at St. Columban’s Church, Olongapo City.

The columbarium at St. Columban Parish, Olongapo City, Zambales 

where the urns of the six Columban priests are found.  Fr. James Collins is on the upper left side corner.

July 21

FR. JAMES O’KANE was born in 1912 in the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Bosto, USA. He died on July 21, 1992 at Metacom Manor, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA.  Father Jim received his formation for priesthood at St. Columban’s, Silver Creek, New York [1928-34]; at Bristol, Rhode Island [1934-35]; at Silver Creek again [1935-37], and at Omaha, Nebraska [1937-40]. He was ordained priest on December 21, 1940. World War II prevented him from going to China, instead he worked with Filipinos around California. In 1945, he was appointed to the Philippines and worked in Luzon areas, including Malate parish. In 1952, he was appointed to promotion work in the U.S. and worked in the Chicago area. Then in 1969 he was appointed to the Bristol house where he was vicar and later bursar until his retirement there in 1988. Father Jim is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence, Rhode Island, USA.