Redemptorist News

When Fr. Sean finished his time in Brazil, he spent two years studying in Berkeley in California, where he got a Masters degree in Spirituality. He returned to Ireland in the eighties and worked for several years as Vocation Director for the Irish Redemptorists.  After a term as Superior in Liguori House in Dublin, he was appointed as Director of the Retreat House here in Esker, where he remained for six years. He was a dynamic leader and the Retreat House flourished under him. He developed both the Youth Ministry and the Adult Ministry.

Brazilians: His last years were spent as Chaplain to various Brazilian communities along the Western part of Ireland, from Co. Cork, to Limerick to Clare, to Galway and to Mayo. Sean gave himself generously to this task, bisiting these communities regularly, ministering to their spiritual needs and also involving himself in getting their legal status regularised. 

His character: Sean was a warm, gregarious person. He had a great capacity to enjoy life with a wonderful sense of humour. Those of us who lived with him have deep and lasting memories of him. The Brazilians were shocked and dismayed at his sudden death at the age of 74. They will miss him hugely. But so will all of us who knew him and loved him.

May he rest in peace.

- – - – The following was written shortly after Fr. Sean’s death on Feb. 7th, 2012.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Fr. Seán Lawlor, C.Ss.R. who died suddenly in Limerick on February 7, 2012.   Fr. Seán was a member of the Redemptorist Community, Mount Saint Alphonsus, Limerick and chaplain to Brazilian communities along the western seaboard.Fr. Sean worked in Esker from 1999 to 2005, in charge of the Retreat House. His face was familiar to so many people who came here to Esker during those years. Always full of welcome and a welcoming smile, Fr. Sean worked wholeheartedly in his ministry here in Esker. Since moving from here in 2005 to Mount St. Alphonsus’ community in Limerick, he has worked tirelessly in ministering to and caring for the many Brazilians who moved to this country in those years. He ministered to Brazilian communities from Fermoy to Gort, Athenry, Tuam.

Fr. Seán died just after midday on Tuesday, 7th February 2012, during lunch in his community in Limerick. May God rest his very dear soul. He was greatly loved among us all, and will be greatly missed by many people.

R. I. P.

Fr. Seán was born on 31st December 1937 and following his novitiate he professed his vows as a Redemptorist on 24th September 1957.  On 19th January 1964 he was ordained a priest and six months later he sailed to Brazil to begin his missionary ministry and for many years he was based in central Brazil in the State of Tocintins and Parnaiba in the north eastern State of Piauí.

On returning to Ireland in 1985 he was for some time a member of our community in Cluain Mhuire, Wellpark, Galway until its closure in 1990.  During this time he was our vocations’ director and he continued in this role when he was transferred to Dublin.  For the term 1996-1999 he was a member of our Provincial Council.

In 1999 he was appointed Director of Esker Retreat House, Athenry, Co. Galway and continued in this ministry until 1985 when he took up his work with Brazilian communities, especially in Gort, Tuam, Loughrea and Athenry in Co. Galway, also in Ennis, Limerick and other places as required.

Seán was a big man full of the joys of life and a great entertainer and we pray that the Lord is now entertaining his good and faithful servant.

———

The following has been abstracted from the website of the Limerick Redemptorists:

Fr. Sean Lawlor C.Ss.R. – Radio Interview 3rd February 2012

Fr. Sean was a member of the Redemptorist Community here in Limerick
for the last number of years.  His main ministry was working with the Brazilian
Community.  This work brought him to many areas around the mid-western
region of the country.

Just two weeks ago Fr. Sean gave an hour long interview
on BCR Radio (Ballyhoura Community Radio), a local radio station in Cork just
days before his death.  In the interview, which you can listen to below, he gives
an insight in to his life as a Redemptorist working for many years in the northeast
of Brazil and his time here in Ireland working with the Brazilian Community.

To listen to the interview, click on link below,
but you may find it takes a little time to load the link:

http://www.redemptoristslimerick.ie/2012/02/fr-sean-lawlor-cssr-radio-interview-3rd-february-2012/

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