Today, Father Peter Kerr was laid to rest at St Colmcille’s Church in Carrickmore.
The congregation who poured into every corner of the church gathered together to mourn the loss of a “dedicated priest” and “man of deep conviction and devotion”.
Bishop Michael Router conducted the Requiem Mass paying “deepest sympathies” on behalf of Archbishop Eamon Martin who is currently leading a pilgrimage in Lourdes and on behalf of Cardinal Sean Brady who is in Rome.
The Bishop Router also explained that he himself had returned home from Lourdes just last night (May 8) to conduct Fr Peter’s funeral mass.
When in Lourdes, the Bishop explained that news of Fr Peter’s passing circulated among pilgrims who had “such great memories” and were in “genuine shock of his passing”.
A special Memorial Mass was held at the grotto in Lourdes this morning at 7.30am and the Bishop stressed that Fr Peter would be “remembered very much in people’s prayers in Lourdes”.
Christian symbols of a cross, a Bible, chalice, paten and priest’s stole were then placed on Fr Kerr’s coffin as a reminder of his devotion to the eucharist.
Sympathies were extended to Fr Kerr’s sisters, Mary, Teresa, Betty and Brigid, his 59 nephews and nieces and many many grand nieces and nephews – of which the Bishop Router adds “there are so many no one could quite put a figure on it for me”.
Condolences were also paid to his many cousins, friends, neighbours and parishioners.
Bishop Router added that Fr Kerr was “deeply grateful and wanted it to be stressed very much today for the love and support” of all of those individuals who were so special in his life.
Speaking to Fr Kerr’s personal life and vocation, the Bishop explained that following his secondary school study in St Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon, Fr Kerr proceeded to St Patrick’s College Carlow to “discern his vocation to the priesthood” and alongside Peter Makem and John Hughes was ordained for the Archdiocese of Armagh in 1971 – a date that would “mark the beginning of a lifetime of devotion and service”.
His ministry began, said the Bishop as an assistant in Darver in Dromiskin, County Louth followed by appointment as Curate in Aghaloo and Armagh.
Fr Kerr, he said, spent a total of 18 years serving with “great dedication and faithfulness” in Armagh.
He spent two years as Administrator in Armagh and was appointed as Parish Priest of Cill Chluana, Ballymacnab – a role the Bishop Router said he “embraced with love and commitment for over two decades”.
Added the Bishop: “Father Peter was a man deeply rooted in his faith and in the communities that he served.
“He spoke often of the blessings that he found in the parishioners who welcomed him into their own lives. It’s a testament to his character that he was not only respected but also deeply loved by all those he administered to.
“His humility and his gentle spirit left an indelible mark on the hearts of many – a mark that is not going to fade any time soon.
“And that was so beautifully expressed last night by the warmth and welcome that accompanied the reception of his remains in Ballymacnab and I know that the Kerr family are deeply grateful to Fr Carville, Monsignor Curry and the people of Ballymacnab for that very emotional and very touching stage of Fr Peter’s final journey.”
In his personal life, Fr Peter is described as having had a deep love of history and Irish culture.
“He also loved all sports – but of course being from here – his passion was for Gaelic football,” said Bishop Router.
“He was an outstanding footballer himself and he will be long remembered for his contribution to the success of his native club, Carrickmore St Colmcille’s GFC.
“His legendary performance in the 1969 Championship where he scored the crucial goal in the final is still spoke of today.
“He won a Junior Championship with Aghaloo – where he was curate – but he returned here to play a part in the three-in-a-row Championship team in the late 1970s.
Returning to his life in service of the Church, Bishop Router said: “Above all, Fr Peter was a man of trust and faith in god.
Explaining that so absolute was in faith in God that he even worked on the Mass booklet for his own funeral “right up to about two days before he died”.
“That was remarkable that he was able to do that and accept that his time on earth was coming to an end and prepare himself for the transition from this life to life eternal with God,” said the Bishop.
