Fr Liam Heffernan RIP

Fr Liam Heffernan RIP 1923 - 2008

Liam Heffernan was born on 15 March 1923, in Kilmichael, Macroom, Co. Cork.

He was educated in Johnstown N.S. and at St Finbarr’s College, Farrenferris, Cork. He came to Dalgan in 1941 and was ordained priest on 21 December 1947.

In 1948 he was assigned to the Philippines.

Initially he served on the island of Mindanao but within a couple of years was moved to Negros where he would spend more than fifty years in various parishes including Ilog, La Castellana, and Aguisan.

Liam was a quiet man, a conscientious and dedicated pastor. He was a hospitable and welcoming host to his neighbouring Columbans. He lived through the difficult times of the Marcos years and was very supportive of the theological insights that followed the publication of the documents of Vatican II.

He was happy serving the communities of Negros and after fifty years of active ministry he retired to the Columban house in Batang, Negros, some four years ago. He would have been happy to lay his bones in Negros, but deteriorating health made it necessary for him to return to Ireland and to the Dalgan Nursing Home in May 2007.

He celebrated his Diamond Jubilee of Ordination in December 2007. In recent months, he suffered a good deal of pain. He did not complain except to express the hope that the Lord would not prolong his illness unduly. After a short stay in St Mary’s Hospital, Navan, he died there, peacefully, on 6 July 2008.

May he rest in peace.