A heartfelt tribute to Monsignor Shannon

A heartfelt tribute to Monsignor Shannon


People and Places
Michael Commins

THOSE of us who knew Monsignor Tommy Shannon from Ballinrobe were deeply saddened when news of his death came through in recent weeks. He took ill and died suddenly on a journey to his sister in Africa. Fr Tommy was truly one of those very special people who touched the lives of so many people. I always found him extremely helpful and courteous, a remarkable man whose love for music and song brightened and enlivened many a gathering.
It was almost impossible to be in a crowded room without being aware of the presence of Tommy Shannon. His hearty laugh held sway and he had had the special ability to bring the best out of everyone. It truly was a joy being in his company.
His cousin Kathleen Moran (nee Hughes) from Ballinrobe read a lovely tribute to Fr Tommy at the special ceremony in St Mary’s Church in Ballinrobe on the eve of the funeral Mass. It was sent to her by her cousin Brian Shannon who lives in Brazil and who grew up in Peru.
Brian’s first language is Spanish and this may occasionally come through in the construction of some of the words and sentences below. But the tribute is rich and from the heart and was accorded a warm round of applause when delivered by Kathleen in the church towards the end of the prayer service which was led by Ballinrobe PP, Fr Conal Eustace. A lot of people in the congregation requested that it be published and we are glad to oblige here today.
“I really want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to meet our beloved Monsignor Thomas Shannon. What a witness to joy, generosity and kindness. What a man. He was truly a man of God. His radiant smile evidenced the true joy of a man whose heart was transfigured by the love of God.
“His kindness and heroic generosity had a strong impact on me. In many of his actions, he gave flesh to what we call kindness, generosity, joy, values that sometimes can be rather abstract and difficult to interiorize.
“Father Tommy gave me (and to many others, I am sure) the chance to ‘see’ in flesh and bones, what the goodness that comes from God looks like. I am not sure if I am being clear, what I mean is that without the need of words, through his actions, he was able to communicate to others the love of God that overflowed in his human heart.
“He made concrete and visible what we call ‘caritas’. He understood very well the essence of Christianity, which is service. Why service? For the simple reason that when serving our neighbour, love is made concrete. The rest is pure words and he knew it very well.
“He was a father to many, and a very good one, because he never put himself first. He was always worried about what others could need. I will never forget the day we went out to the stadium in Castlebar to watch the football game between Galway and Mayo. On our way, as we walked, the number of people who greeted Father Tommy in the street was unbelievable. And the way people greeted him, the expression on their faces, was one of genuine gratitude.
“I bet he gave the last ounce of sweat serving the people. That was manifest in the faces of so many grateful former parishioners. What a great pastor must Father Tommy have been. He was a true shepherd to his flock.
“Seeing things in perspective, from a vision of eternity, what happened on August 14 is far from being a sad event. I strongly believe that God decided to collect the fruit when it was ripe. He was a branch adhered strongly to the vine, and gave much fruit.
“So the owner of the vineyard decided it was time to collect the best fruit. He just celebrated his golden jubilee and had just left his parish (Ballinrobe) after years and years of faithful service to the Church of Christ. And then, what is the first thing he decides to do with his deserved rest? He goes to visit his sister to take care of her. When the owner of the vineyard came to him, he found him working, and surely He must have said to him: “Thomas, faithful servant, come and join me in my glory!”
“I am sure that we can apply to the last moments of Father Tommy’s life the following words taken from the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy: ‘As for me, my life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing.’ Amen.”