I have received the sad news of the death of
Father Tom Murphy while I am out of the Country and, even though it had been
expected and he himself was well prepared for it, the suddenness of it came as
a shock in the end. May his noble soul rest in peace.
Father Tom has passed away at the early age of 44 years. Of those years he gave himself faithfully and joyously to the Priesthood for 19 years. After his ordination to the Priesthood in St. Mary's, Mallow on the 29th of June 1985, Father Tom was sent back to Maynooth to complete his S.T.L. Degree in Theology before being appointed to the Staff of St. Colman's College, Fermoy on the 1st of September 1986. During that year he obtained the H.Dip. in Education from U.C.C. and was subsequently appointed Professor in St. Colman's College. He proved to be an excellent teacher of Biology in the College and built up that Faculty expertly, as will testify his former students. In September 1987 Father Tom was appointed to the post of Dean in St. Colman's and for the next ten years he was engaged in every aspect of the development of the young students. He was totally dedicated to their welfare and did not spare himself in the tasks given him. During his busy schedule in St. Colman's Father Tom also found time to further his own education and he took a Diploma in Education Management.
After twelve years of dedication to the task of Education in St. Colman's College, Father Tom was appointed to the Parish of Donoughmore as Curate, with residence in Stuake on the 13th of September 1997. The Parish had been preparing for some years to proceed with the project for the building of their new Church in Stuake and Father Tom, under the guidance of the then Parish Priest, the late V. Rev. Michael Twohig, gave himself wholeheartedly to that task
As well as being appointed Curate in Donoughmore, Father Tom, because of his experience in the field of Education, was appointed to the Diocesan Education Commission. However he continued his priestly services in the Parish of Donoughmore, seeing through the project of the new Church to its completion and welcoming into the Parish the new Parish Priest, the V. Rev. Denis Buckley.
On the 1st of December 2002, Father Tom took up the task of further studies which would have led to a Masters Degree in Education. However, unexpectedly and unfortunately, he was struck down with a serious illness in October 2003, which illness has now lead to his untimely death. Father Tom faced this new reality in his life with courage and deep faith and throughout the ten months of his illness he demonstrated to all, who were close to him, an extraordinary insight into the meaning of suffering and its salvific value in the life of the Church. When it became clear to him that the illness was terminal, Father Tom quite calmly discussed with me the plans for his funeral Mass and he great desire to have his Funeral Mass celebrated in his beloved Parish of Donoughmore and in the beautiful Church in Stuake. Father Tom's wish was that he be buried in the grave of his beloved Mother in Mallow. Unfortunately his death came suddenly in the end and has found me out of the Country. I regret this very much and I am united with all who gather for the Funeral Mass in praying the Lord to receive the soul of this faithful priest into the Kingdom of the Father. I have offered Holy Mass for his happy repose.
My deepest sympathies go to all the Members of Father Tom's family, especially to his dear father, Eamonn. On my return to Ireland I shall call to visit with them. My sympathies also go to his Parish of Donoughmore, to the Parsh Priest, the V. Rev. Denis Buckley and to the Curate, Father Tom Naughton and to all the Parishoners. To the Priests of the Diocese go my expression of support and solidarity at this sad time and I wish to express to Fathers Stephen Cummins and Jim Killeen the deep gratitude of the whole Diocese for the loving and fraternal care they showed Father Tom throughout his illness. They were indeed great friends and brothers to him.
To all who gather for the funeral Rites of the late Father Tom Murphy go my deepest sympathy and the assurance of my prayers. May his noble soul rest in the Peace of the Lord and may the reward of a Faithful Servant be his forever more. May Mary, the Mother of Jesus and of all Priests, welcome Father Tom home, for in her intercession he had placed much trust. May She now be for him the heavenly Mother she has always been and may she present Father Tom to the Lord Jesus whom he served so well. Go now, Father Tom, to your eternal rest. Pray for us who remain. We look forward to meeting you again in the Kingdom of the Father.
+ John Magee.
Bishop of Cloyne.
*******************************