From left, Father Philip Heng, Catherine Martin, Mary O’Neill, and Dr Joseph Martin. Father O’Neill’s sister, Mary, is sprinkling holy water on the coffin at the wake on Aug 2. Photo by Daniel Tay
THE CHURCH IN Singapore lost a treasure when Jesuit Father Tom O’Neill, 85, died of a heart attack on Jul 30. It was the eve of the feast day of St. Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus, and the day after Father O’Neill’s 54th anniversary as a priest.
Hundreds of people packed the interior and surroundings of St. Ignatius Hall over the two nights’ wake to remember and celebrate the life he lived. Over 1,000 people, including almost 100 priests and at least 30 religious Sisters, turned up at the Church of St. Ignatius on Aug 3 to bid him farewell.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Nicholas Chia. Father O’Neill’s sister Mary O’Neill, his nephew Dr Joseph Martin, and his niece Catherine Martin came from Ireland to attend his funeral.
Also present was Holy Resurrection Orthodox Christian Church parish priest Father Daniel Toyne, who had known Father O’Neill from the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity often organised by the parish of St. Ignatius where Father O’Neill was assistant parish priest.
The Irish priest was described by those who knew him as a quiet and independent person. He was a simple man, and deeply loved by everyone, parishioners said.
“He never wanted to trouble anyone, and he always takes a bus to the hospital on his own,” said long-time St. Ignatius parishioner Dorothy Kay, who had served in the parish’s liturgical committee for over 10 years under Father O’Neill. “He was a man who really loved God, and Christ was at the centre of his heart. He loved God’s people and had no favourites. He treated everyone beautifully.”
Father O’Neill had served in all areas of the Jesuit-run parish of St. Ignatius, especially in RCIA and the catechetical ministries. Many expatriates and their families attend Mass at the parish during the years that they are in Singapore.
“He had a great ear for music, and we would call him ‘The Singing Priest’,” said Kim Sng, another parishioner.
Father O’Neill had taught liturgy in St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary, and in the Singapore Pastoral Institute. He also served on the Archdiocesan Liturgy Committee.
In his parish, the liturgist had shared with the liturgical ministries of the parish everything that they needed to know about serving Mass, said former parish priest Father Leslie Raj who had worked with Father O’Neill in the parish.
In the homily delivered at the funeral Mass, Father Leslie recalled that Father O’Neill had “taken an active interest” in the design of the new church building. He recounted that during the construction of the baptismal font, Father O’Neill had knelt down and splashed water on himself to demonstrate to the designer what a baptism was like.
His last hours
The last person to see Father O’Neill alive was Jesuit Father Anthony Ponnudurai, when they had tea at about 4.00pm in the afternoon on Jul 30. Father Anthony told parishioners on Aug 1 that Father O’Neill had looked peaceful and he noticed nothing amiss.
On the night that Father O’Neill died, Jesuit Father James Tan, a fellow assistant parish priest, was supposed to fetch him to the parish of St. Mary of the Angels for a penitential service. When Father O’Neill did not turn up at 7.20pm as they arranged, Father James assumed that he had gone on his own knowing that he “doesn’t like to trouble people”.
While attending the guided contemplation in preparation for the parish feast day, Father James felt a “stirring in my heart” that he had to go see Father O’Neill. Immediately after the prayer service, between 9.20pm to 9.30pm, Father James went to Father O’Neill’s room and knocked on his door. When there was no answer, Father James opened the door and found Father O’Neill lying on his bed with his hands on his chest and his head tilted back. He was not breathing.
The look on Father O’Neill’s face was “very tranquil and peaceful”, recalled Father James. Brother Gregory Tan, a Jesuit in formation, said, “In death, Father O’Neill looked just [as he did] when he’s saying Mass.”
About Father Tom O’NeillThomas Aidan O’Neill was born on Jan 30, 1924. He entered the Society of Jesus on Sep 6, 1941 at the age of 17. He was ordained on Jul 28, 1955, and professed his final vows on Feb 2, 1959. He spent half his life in Hong Kong (1957-1968) and the Philippines (1968-1980), before coming to Singapore in 1981.
In Singapore, Father O’Neill assisted at the Church of St. Ignatius from 1981 until the day he died. He began the RCIA in 1985 and ran it for 16 years. He was also in charge of the CCD, catechism classes for over 400 children from international schools.
He died on Jul 30, 2009. His ashes were interred in the Church of St. Ignatius on Aug 5.
By Daniel Tay
danieltay@catholic.org.sg
