Acknowledgement and thanks from the family of Fr. Peter Connolly, RIP.
Connolly, Fr. Peter (59 years old)
May 20th 2015
R.I.P.
Connolly family, Kilgevrin Tuam:-
Gerard, Frank and his wife Teresa, Mary and her husband Alan Gurren, Lisa, Barry, Laura and Keith, the family of the late Reverend Peter Connolly, P.P, whose untimely and sudden death on 20th May last express heartfelt gratitude to the many people who helped them bear the Cross of his passing and who continue to give them strength to go on during this difficult time.
To Archbishop Michael Neary and Mgr Dermot Moloney, VG for their tributes and homily on the evening of the removal service and at the funeral Mass. Thanks also to Chief Celebrant, local parish priest Canon J.J. Cribben for arranging a beautiful and most appropriate funeral Mass, to the many priests, some of whom who traveled difficult journeys to be present. You all contributed to make the ceremony special and memorable and a source of solace to us his family.
To the Presentation and Mercy sisters for their presence and prayerful support, to the many priests, not in the position to attend the funeral, who called to the house to support us and pay tribute to Fr. Peter.
To Dr. Ken Egan, Canon J.J. Cribben and the members of An Gárda Síochána who attended Fr. Peter at his residence the morning of his sudden passing.
To our wonderful neighbours for the logistical and stalwart support they gave over many days and for helping us keep Fr. Peter at home.
To the neighbours who dug the grave and prepared his final resting place with such care.
To Clonbur GAA, the committee of NDL Lourdes Galway, the priests and our neighbours who provided guards of honour.
To Finns and Sheridans restaurants and to Ryans Daybreak for food, refreshments and hospitality.
To the Tuttle family for most appropriate music and to the Mass servers.
To Glynns undertakers for providing a sensitive and professional service.
To all who telephoned, sent texts or emailed messages of sympathy and to the many people who logged into the Archdiocese website with messages of sympathy and to those who sent flowers.
To Fr. Peter’s housekeepers during his thirty seven years of ministry.
To parishioners who traveled from all parishes in which he served, An Tulach, Árainn, Achill, Corr na Móna, An Cheathrú Rua, Cárna and Clonbur. We take comfort from the stories they recounted and in hearing how he touched so many lives.
To our extended family and many friends who travelled from far and near, we are deeply touched by the solidarity of your support and appreciate your ongoing care.
Fr. Peter endured a decline in health in the final decade of his life but never lost his big heart and the concern for others he always had.
Thanks to Fr. Pat Donnellan for the tribute he paid to Fr. Peter on the Faith Alive programme on Mid West Radio. As Fr. Pat reminded us, grief is the price of love. Finally thanks to the Archbishop, to any member of the clergy, religious and to any parishioner who in any way helped Peter during his priestly life. May Fr. Peter continue to inspire us all and lead us onward until we meet again.
“ He whom we love and lose is no longer where he was before. He is now where we are. “
Fr. Peter’s months mind Mass will take place in St. Josephs church, Milltown at 7:30pm. on Friday 26th June 2015.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
