Summer 2012 - The Mill Hill Missionaries

Summer 2012 Advocate:Layout 1 19/07/2012 12:14 Page 28Remembering DeclanIT is hard to believe that 10years have passed since wegot the dreadful news of Declan’smurder. I will never forgetthat night. A lot has happened inour family since 2002 that hasbrought joy to all of us (weddings,births) but there has always beena sense of sadness at these eventsthat Declan was not there.These were occasions where we missedDeclan as a family member but alsoin his “official” capacity - to officiateat the wedding and tobaptise our children. Wedid feel a sense of hispresence at these occasionsas his fellowpriests and good friendsperformed these dutiesand kept Declan verymuch in everyone’sthoughts and prayers.Declan was based in Kotidoin Northern Uganda and was allowedto return home every 2 years to hisfamily, but Declan made an unplanned journeyhome a few months before his death.They say things happen for a reason and Iam not sure our brother Kenneth wouldagree that his accident a few months beforeDeclan’s death happened for a reason. Declanreturned from Uganda to see him at thetime as he was very ill and it transpired thatthis would be the last time we would all seehim. I dropped him to the airport on his returnjourney to Uganda not knowing itwould be the final goodbye.by his sister SharonBoth Ita and I have got married; Ita hasa daughter Niamh, and I have 3 children;Emma, Declan and Ciara. We never forgetDeclan but there are times I am justso preoccupied with life and especiallywith my three young children that youdon’t have time to think. I am alwaystelling the children about the children inAfrica that Uncle Declan worked withand how they have no food, clothes ortoys. I think you have to experienceAfrica before you really understand thisand perhaps we will take them there oneday to see the good work their unclewas doing. Emma is just 5 and hasstarted school this year and,much to my surprise, I gota call from her school justbefore Christmas to askme about Declan and toknow his surname. Theschool was having aChristmas memorialservice and asked all thepupils if anyone belongingto them had died so theycould pray for them. Emma puther hand up and told them her uncleDeclan had died and was in heaven withHoly God. So it’s amazing how muchthey take in at an early age, I am sureUncle Declan would be delighted.Declan will never be forgotten and somany events and services have been heldin his honour over the last 10 years whichwere a fantastic tribute to him. He wasdoing such good work and the work continues,and we continue to support it sowe can keep up the connection with theplace Declan called his home.27