Fr. Kevin Casey SJ RIP – “Always full of hope”

Irish Jesuit Father Kevin Casey SJ died on Thursday 30 January, 2025. His concelebrated Requiem Mass took place on Wednesday 5 February 2025, at 11am at Clongowes Wood College SJ sports hall, followed by burial in the Community Cemetery. The principal celebrant was Fr Michael Sheil SJ.

Jesuits, family and friends gathered to bid a final farewell to Father Kevin. They were joined by students of Clongowes Wood College SJ and the college principal Mr Chris Lumb.

Father Kevin joined the Clongowes community three years ago, just when Ireland was emerging from the restrictions of Covid 19. He had returned with twenty years experience of pastoral care from his time in San Diego, California, and although well past retirement age he settled well into his ministry at the People’s Church in Clongowes.

In his homily, Father Michael Sheil SJ reminded the congregation of their recent celebration of Saint Brigid’s feast day on 1 February 2025. Saint Brigid is patron of the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. In the readings for her feast day Fr Sheil said he found a line from Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans which he believed summed up Fr Casey perfectly, “If you have hope, that will make you cheerful”. Fr. Casey was always cheerful and hopeful said Fr. Sheil, “A pilgrim of hope in our Jubilee year.”

Despite having been in Clongowes for a relatively short time Fr. Casey became very well known to everyone in the community, students and staff alike, according to Fr. Sheil. He said that “Fr. Casey loved his fresh air and would always be seen walking the grounds no matter what the weather.”

Referencing Fr. Caseys “quirky sense of humor,” Fr. Sheil shared a story about a lunchtime conversation in the community with him. The subject matter was about how each of them decided to join the society of Jesus. Fr Sheil recalled that, “Most of us could remember the how and the where of our decisive moment. For Fr. Casey it was his 5th year in school. He told us about how one evening up in the big study hall he was bored and felt he would like a smoke. He visited the spiritual father who had been living next door in the Blessed John Sullvian SJ room for many years. He also happened to be a heavy smoker. So Kevin He had a smoke with the spiritual father and when he left he decided that was it, his mind was made up and he wanted to join the Society.” Fr Sheil then cautioned, “Doesn’t God work in strange ways? This might be a message to any young smokers – you are not safe yet!”

Fr Sheil said that Fr. Kevin was true to Christ’s edict to “Go out and bear fruit, fruit that will endure.” Even as a patient in ill health he continued to bear fruit with his ever cheerful attitude. “He never ever complained, he always remained joyful and full of hope, even as his tent of life began to fold up.”

Fr Sheil concluded his homily saying “We can, through our pain, but find reason to be happy for Kevin because of what he has gained joining God in his everlasting home. We entrust Kevin now to the care of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who has told us ‘Trust in me, I am going to prepare a place for you and I shall return to take you with me, so that where I am you also may be.’ Christ did indeed return to call him home.”

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis