September 6
FR. PATRICK CAHILL was born at Knockanes, Headford, County Kerry, Ireland in 1924. He died suddenly in Kilgarvan, County Kerry, on September 6, 1974. After finishing his secondary studies at St. Brendan’s College, Killarney, Father Pat came to Dalgan Seminary in 1942. He was ordained priest there in 1948 and was assigned to the Philippines. After twenty-two years working in Mindanao he returned to Ireland in 1971 for health reasons and worked in the parish of Kilgarvan. Father Pat is buried at Rathmore, County Kerry.
FR. PHILIP GRAHAM was born in Cork City, Ireland in 1923. He died on his 77th birthday at the Columban House in Singalong, Manila. Having completed his secondary education at C.B.S., North Monastery, Cork, he entered Dalgan Seminary and was ordained there in December 1947. All Father Phil’s ministry of fifty-one years was in Mindanao – in Cagayan de Oro, Ozamis, Pagadian, Tandag and Illigan. Through these difficult years he maintained his friendly disposition and youthful enthusiasm. His final words were that he was going “for a long, long sleep.” Father Phil is buried in Oroquieta, Philippines.
September 7
FR. THOMAS FAY was born at Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, Ireland in 1917. He died at St. James’ Hospital, Dublin, on September 7, 2006. In 1935, he joined the Columbans having completed his secondary education at St. Patrick’s College, Cavan, and was ordained priest in Dalgan Park in 1940. Due to wartime travel restrictions, Father Tom took up parish work in the diocese of Clifton before joining the British Army as Chaplain for the duration of the war. In 1948, he was assigned to Japan but three years later he transferred to the Philippines for reasons of health. He worked in Zambales, which included the role of secretary to Bishop Harry Byrne. Father Tom retired to Dalgan Park in 1990 and is buried there.
FR. CHARLES RODDY was born at St. Patrick’s Parish, Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA in 1919. He died in Bristol, Rhode Island on September 7, 1987. After studying at Silver Creek, Bristol and St. Columban’s, Nebraska, Father Charlie was ordained priest at St. Clement’s Church, Boston, on December 21, 1946. After doing promotion work in Milton, Massachusetts [1947-48], he went to Japan where he served as secretary to the bishop of Fukuoka, and later was pastor of Mobara, near Tokyo. He was appointed to the U.S. in 1956 and did promotion work in Boston, Los Angeles and Houston, Texas. He went to the Virgin Islands in 1971. In 1978, Father Charlie became Superior at St. Columban’s, Milton, and later at St. Columban’s, Quincy. He went to the Philippines in 1984 and worked in Malate parish, Manila. Father Charlie, who was a brother of another Columban priest, James Roddy, is buried at East Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
FR. JOHN WALSH was born in 1923 of Irish immigrant parents at Okaiawa in the Archdiocese of Wellington, New Zealand. He died at Manor Park Private Hospital, near Lower Hutt, New Zealand on September 7, 2007. Having studied at St. Patrick’s High School, Silverstream, he worked on the home farm for three years before beginning his studies for Columban priesthood at North Essendon, Australia. Ordained in 1950 with Frs. Chris Baker and John Griffin at Werribee, Father John was assigned to the Philippines and worked in Zambales. In 1958, he was appointed to act as Bursar in Sydney and then Spiritual Director. After another term in the Philippines [1974-87], he served as Superior at Lower Hutt [1987-91]. From 2000 onward he lived at Lower Hutt with deteriorating health until his final move to the hospital. Father John is buried with his own folk at Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand.
September 9
FR. DENIS EGAN was born at Ferbane, County Offaly, Ireland in 1924. He died in Dalgan on September 9, 2002. Having completed his secondary studies at St. Joseph’s College, Ballinasloe, Father Denis went to Dalgan Seminary in 1944 and was ordained priest there in December 1950. Assigned to the Philippines, he spent the following fifty years in Zambales ministering in various parishes. In Olongapo, “his special ministry was to the poor to whom he channelled millions of pesos, and to victims of prostitution to whom he brought compassion, dignity and the love of God. He was the male counterpart of Mother Teresa.” Father Denis is buried at Dalgan Park.
