Death of much-loved Mayo priest in America

The late Fr. Jarlath Heneghan was a much-loved pastor with a great sense of humour

Father Jarlath Heneghan, a senior priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle, U.S.A, has passed away, aged 91.

Formerly of Carrowmore, Knock, he died peacefully at his residence in Seattle after a short illness.

His remains are being flown home for interment in his native Knock next weekend.

Born in February, 1931, the youngest of five boys, Fr. Jarlath was a member of the well known Heneghan family which ran Knock Post Office and grocery store.

The North West Catholic newspaper in Seattle has penned a detailed obituary on the much loved Fr. Jarlath recalling his entrepreneurial spirit as a youngster cycling around to local farmers to buy excess eggs and then selling them in his parents’ general store.

With telephones uncommon in his community, he rode his bike to deliver telegrams to people in the parish.

He attended Knock National School and St. Jarlath’s College where he excelled at soccer. He later played football for Ireland at a minor level.

The young Jarlath loved animals and dreamed of being an equine veterinarian.

As he prepared to start those studies, a friend asked him to come with him to seminary for a year. He agreed and entered Carlow College.

He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Seattle on June 5, 1955, in Carlow Cathedral of the Assumption.

He was the second of the Heneghan brothers to be ordained — his older brother Kieran became a Columban missionary priest to the Philippines.

Father Heneghan’s first assignment was as an assistant at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Lakewood.

In November 1961, he was appointed assistant at St. James Cathedral, where he spent seven years.

His first assignment as a pastor was in 1968 to establish a new parish, St. Madeleine Sophie in Bellevue, to help serve the growing population on the east side of Lake Washington.

After leaving St. Madeleine Sophie in 1977, Father Heneghan served as pastor of St. Thomas Parish in Tukwila, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bothell and Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonds. He became a senior priest in July 1996.

In 2017, he moved into the Retired Priest Center at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center in Federal Way, where he enjoyed the regular celebration of Mass, access to nature and fraternity with his brother priests.

He became an unofficial “member” of the team at the retreat center, where he celebrated his Holy Hour in the chapel every afternoon.

Father Heneghan loved to pray the Memorare and had a special devotion to Our Lady of Knock, his hometown.

Father Heneghan had a great sense of humor and a gentle manner.

He was a “gate crasher extraordinaire” at church gatherings.

During the 100th anniversary celebration of the apparition at Knock in 1979, Father Heneghan got into the sacristy to take a photo of then-Pope John Paul II.

During Vatican II, he dressed as a bishop (at the insistence of his bishop) and processed into St. Peter’s Basilica with the other bishops.

He enjoyed golf, flying (he had a pilot’s license), playing an Irish card game called “25” and following sports: the Seahawks, Sonics, Mariners, GAA football and televised golf tournaments.

Father Heneghan was preceded in death by his parents, James and May Kate, and brothers Michael, Sean, Father Kieran and Alo.

He is survived by 16 nieces and nephews and scores of grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Fr. Jarlath’s remains will repose at the Marian Funeral Home, Knock, on Friday evening (September 9) from 6 p.m. with removal at 8 p.m. to the Church of St. John the Baptist, Knock.

Funeral Mass on Saturday morning at 11.30 a.m. with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.