November 8

FR. PAUL RICHARDSON was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, USA on March 5, 1929. He attended public schools before entering the seminary at Silver Creek in 1945. He continued his studies in Bristol, Omaha and Milton and was ordained by Archbishop Richard Cushing in the new Milton Seminary Chapel on December 18, 1954. Assigned to the Philippines in 1955, he spent nearly 50 years ministering in various parishes in Negros, especially Binalbagan, Kabankalan, Himamaylan and Sipalay. In Kabankalan, he acted as chaplain and teacher in the local college. His concern for the poor inspired Father Paul to start cooperatives, pig dispersal and fishing projects in several of his assignments, and to be included in an army hit list in the Marcos era. 1963 saw him in Manila as Assistant Regional Bursar. In 1986, he became socius for the Columban students in Cebu. When ill health precluded a parish assignment, Father Paul lived at the Columban central house in Negros working with poor fishermen, starting a Grameen Bank and a pig cooperative. He was a familiar sight walking on the beach early in the morning taking pictures, talking with the neighbours, and having his coffee at one of the local sari-sari stores. Father Paul frequently published these encounters with stories in the Columban Mission magazine. The photos he supplied to illustrate his stories often won prizes and decorated the walls of the Bristol retirement home where he moved in 2002. Father Paul will be remembered as a talented man who, through his quiet and gentle way, touched the lives of many. He died on November 8, 2013. His funeral took place at the Bristol retirement home and the interment was in the cemetery attached to St Mary’s Church, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA.

November 12

FR. JOHN FRANCIS McENNIS was born in 1916 at Kilconly, Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. He died on November 12, 1997 in a Manila hospital.  When he had completed his secondary education in St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam, Father Frank entered Dalgan Seminary in 1935 and was ordained priest there on December 21, 1941. Due to wartime travel restrictions he volunteered as a chaplain to the Royal Air Force and was the first Catholic Chaplain to land in France with the British Forces on D-Day. In 1947, he was assigned to China but, having completed his Chinese studies, he was appointed to the Philippines where he worked mostly in Mindanao area. He received a B.S.Ed. degree in 1951. He is buried at the Columban plot at Cagayan de Oro City.

Fr. John Francis McEnnis

Grave of Fr. John Francis McEnnis

Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines

November 13

FR. PATRICK JOSEPH O’HERLIHY was born in Berrings, County Cork, Ireland on August 5, 1933 and was ordained on December 21, 1958.  He sailed to the Philippines the following year where he spent twelve years in the parishes of Masinloc, Candelaria, Sta. Cruz and Coto Mines in Zambales.  Father Pat showed his versatility during two years on promotion in Ireland and six as Director of Irish Chaplains in Britain.  In 1980, he was reassigned to the Philippines and the parishes of Novaliches and Morong.  Then from 1992-1996, he worked in Tondo, Manila among the poorest, the workers on the enormous rubbish tip known as “Smokey Mountain”.  In 1997, he returned to promotion work in Ireland and in 2001, he asked to be assigned specifically to the Dioceses of Cork and Cloyne.  From his base beside the Church of Our Lady Crowned, in Mayfield, Cork City, he organized regular concerts and other events in aid of Columbans.  He was a gracious host who loved to welcome visitors.  Father Pat had to cope with depression especially in his final years.  Visits from family and friends brought comfort as his health deteriorated.  He died in St. Columban’s Nursing Home early on November 13, 2018.