Pray for Repose of a Soul

From the family of Father Brian Gallagher:

FATHER BRIAN GALLAGHER - OBITUARY

The Reverend Father Brian Gallagher died peacefully in Fernview Convalescent Hospital on Tuesday July 29, 2008. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in February 2008 following a serious fall. During his infirmity he was surrounded by his American family and many friends. Unable to return to Ireland to see his family there, and with 3 of his siblings in failing health, his brother Nicholas, his nieces Philomena, Bernadette, & Sheila, and nephew Michael O’Flannagan came for extended visits. He passed away very peacefully surrounded by family and friends and ushered into the Lord’s presence as Father’s dear friends Sister Michele and Sister Mary Bernard (Carmelite Sisters from Sacred Heart Retreat House in Alhambra, California) sang hymns to him in Latin. A fellow All Hallows classmate Monsignor Jack Foley led those present in a time of prayer and gave Father a beautiful blessing which included an Irish blessing and was with him until shortly before his death.

Fr. Brian was ordained at All Hallows College in Dublin for the Diocese of Yakima on June 19, 1960. He served as Assistant Pastor at St. Pius X Church, Quincy, Washington and St. Paul Cathedral, Yakima, Washington; Assistant Pastor, St. Andrew Church, Ellensburg, Washington; Pastor of Immaculate Conception Churches in Mabton and Roslyn, and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church, Benton, Washington.

Following his retirement in 1985, he assisted in parishes and retreat centers around the country and in 1998 became the Chaplin in residence at Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte, California, where he remained until 2006. He then served a small community in San Juan Capistrano, providing a Roman Rite Tridentine Mass. At the time of his fall, although visiting a friend in Arizona, was residing at St Michael's of Morongo Valley, California.

A rosary will be offered Monday, August 4, at 6:30 P.M. at Immaculate Conception Church, Monrovia. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, August 5, at Noon also at Immaculate Conception Church. This will be followed by a Vigil service on Sunday, August 10 at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, Yakima, WA 98902, at 5:30 P.M. and a Requiem Mass at the St. Paul Cathedral in Yakima, Washington on Monday, August 11, at 10:00 A.M. with internment at Calvary Cemetery, Yakima, Washington. Subsequent to the services in the United States, a Mass will be celebrated at St. Aidan’s Catholic Church, in Kinlough, County Leitrim, Ireland. This is the home parish of the Gallagher family and the place where Father Brian celebrated his first Mass following his ordination.

The outpouring of love from his family and many friends, and so many people from near and far, parishioners and former parishioners from all over the United States and Ireland has been a more eloquent tribute to the this quiet, good man and holy priest than any words might be.

May he now rest peacefully in the fullness of Life with the Lord he so faithfully served