We live in a disillusioning age of greed, corruption and political scandals. Traditional standards, such as helping others and a supportive neighbourliness, are vanishing, to be replaced by an attitude of reserve and self-interest. An increasingly affluent society does not appear to include the marginalised, while different rules apply to the influential and rich. We are also becoming accustomed to a diet of painful revelations about members of the Catholic clergy in the newspapers.
Even a short meeting with Fr John Kelly was a wonderful antidote to those gloomy reflections. He was always smiling, sincere, interested in people and believing the best of everybody. His gentle manner and utter lack of anything pompous or pretentious made him very popular.
Born in Knocknahilla, Mullagh, Co Clare in 1934, he was the youngest son of Miko and Annie Kelly. They belonged to the comfortable farming community of that county. Although successful cattlemen tend to be cautious and conservative, Miko joined the movement for Irish independence after 1916. A much respected man of commanding presence, he was arrested drilling the locals and spent some months interned in Dundalk.
One of seven children, John Kelly was brought up in a loving, busy home. He was educated in the Carmelite College Secondary School, Castlemartyr, and in St Flannan's College, Ennis, and entered the Carmelite Order in 1954. He was ordained in 1961 and served for 10 years in the Philippines. On return to Ireland he was attached to Avila Retreat Centre, Dublin, followed by some years in Killinarden Parish, Tallaght. In 1983 the Archbishop of Dublin invited the Carmelites to take over Berkeley Road Parish in the shadow of the Mater Hospital, and Fr Kelly was appointed parish priest.
One sometimes sensed that he might find a task challenging or that he was experiencing health troubles, but he would never confirm one's impressions and always concentrated on others. Should he be unable to answer a religious query, he said so with engaging honesty and would check it up. I remember discussing the Catholic concept of a "happy death" with him about 20 years ago, finding it a rather strange idea at the time, but I know what he meant now.
His gentle disposition, practical capabilities and qualities as a listener did more good as examples of Christianity in action than lots of traditional sermons. He was genuinely interested in people and despite a heavy schedule, even when transferred to High Street, Kensington, London, as prior and parish priest, he took the trouble to stay in touch with his friends and many cousins. An impromptu visit to the parish social club showed clearly in what affectionate respect he was held. Living almost next door to Princess Diana never affected his modest demeanour. He was a great communicator, striving to include people and to bring God's love and forgiveness to everybody.
Fr Kelly's laughter and sense of humour spring to mind, as do his generosity, his many interests, such as gardening and church architecture, his attachment to Co Clare and his affectionate relationship with his siblings. They drew even closer after the sudden death of their brother, Fr Joe. All, except one sister, joined religious orders, and work in various worthwhile fields.
In 1996 Fr Kelly was appointed parish priest of Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. He was proud of his church and the community in this wealthy countryside, which concerns itself with the London poor on a regular basis. Although from a very different stony, windswept landscape, he appreciated Buckinghamshire - Burnham Beeches, the City of London's glorious forest and Stoke Podges, where Gray set the famous Elegy written in a Country Churchyard.
Fr Kelly, with enthusiasm undimmed and so much still to give, died suddenly in his sleep at the Carmelite Priory in Gerrards Cross on January 18th. English funerals tend to be restrained, private affairs. However, when one of the mourners asked for a ticket for Gerrards Cross at a busy London railway station, his errand was recognised and commented upon. It was an impressive, touching send-off.
As Fr Eugene McCaffrey said at the funeral Mass, Fr John was a man of compassion who carried the Beatitudes in his heart.
Our sympathy goes to his five sisters in their great loss. He had a happy death, I'm sure. E.OC.