There is great sadness across the wider Mountmellick area this week, as well as communities in Offaly and the USA, following the passing of a beloved Priest.
Fr Patrick Mooney, 88, who lived in Moneyquid, between Mountmellick and Killeigh, County Offaly, passed away on Tuesday, March 18.
Fr Mooney, originally from Clonaslee, completed two years of college in Ireland before entering the Queen of the Apostles Seminary outside Boston Massachusetts, USA.
Fr Mooney graduated from Catholic University of America in Washington DC, and was ordained as a priest in 1966, one year shy of his 30th birthday.
He served his parishioners for 45 years in the Bridgeport area of Connecticut, on the USA’s east coast.
During this time, as well as his parish duties, he also served as a hospital chaplain and a high school religion teacher.
Fr Mooney earned a Master’s degree from Fairfield University, Connecticut, and was appointed the media coordinator for the Christian Formation Center in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
He published six books on spirituality including ‘The Delusion of Atheism’, ‘The Spiritual Impoverishment of Western Civilization’, ‘The Actualization of Self Transcendence’ and more.
He also wrote, narrated, photographed and produced over 24 original multimedia programs on various subjects such as child-parent relationships, a search for meaning, humanity, divorce, grief, and more.
When he retired in 2025, Fr Mooney returned to Ireland and settled at his farmhouse in Moneyquid, which is called “Anam Cara” (Soul Friend).
He is survived by his brother Seamus, of Rosenallis, and sister Ann, of Florida, USA.
Requiem Mass took place in St Joseph’s Church, Mountmellick, on Tuesday, March 25.
Following the funeral, Fr Mooney was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery, Clonaghadoo.
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