May 21

FR. MARTIN FORDE was from Kilchreest, County Galway, Ireland where he was born in 1912. He died on May 21, 1976. He was a brother of Columban Father Bernard Forde.  Fr. Martin was educated at St. Joseph’s College, Ballinasloe [1925-30] before coming to Dalgan in1930 where he was ordained priest in1936. In 1937, he went to Rome where he gained a Doctorate in Canon Law. Assigned to the Philippines, he spent World War II [1940-45] in Lingayen, after which his health was seriously impaired.  He was appointed to the U.S. in 1948 where he was a member of the Director’s Council. In 1951, he was appointed Superior in Lima, Peru. He returned to the U.S. in 1954 and taught at St. Columban’s Seminary, Milton.  Fr. Martin is buried at Dalgan.

FR WILLIAM (BILLY) CARRIGAN was born on 18th July 1933 at Conahy, Co Kilkenny. He was educated at Clinstown NS and St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny. He came to St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan in September 1951. He was ordained priest on 22nd December 1957. In 1958 he was appointed to the Philippines where he would spend the next 48 years apart from holiday periods. All of these years would be spent in the southern island of Mindanao. After language studies in Catadman, Ozamis City, he spent four years in Kapatagan. After a year in Oroquieta, he spent four years in Ozamis City. From 1967-1977 he served in Tambulig. There followed two years in Bonifacio, and then ten years, 1980-1990, in Sinacaban. From 1991 to 2006 he ministered in Ozamis City and in 2007 Billy retired to Kilkenny in the Region of Ireland. Billy was very much at home among the Filipino people. He was deeply appreciated for his kindness, his open house, and his generosity. He had a special ministry to the sick and the bereaved. His own final illness was unexpected, but he accepted it with great fortitude. He died at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny on Saturday 21st May 2022.