Posted on 04/29/2013 1:11:48 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Hundreds of parishioners watched in shock as a Catholic priest died at the altar during mass, moments after baptising a baby.
Napier's longest-serving priest, Monsignor Timothy Francis Hannigan, 81, collapsed at the altar during communion at St Patrick's Catholic Church on Sunday.
A doctor and nurses in the packed church rushed to help the popular priest when he slumped to the ground about 9.30am, but he died by the altar of the church where he had served for more than 30 years.
"It's one thing for a priest to die in a church, but it's a whole other thing for him to die during communion," a parishioner who did not wish to be named said yesterday.
The congregation continued to pray as his body was taken away. Some also recited a rosary.
Former St Patrick's parish priest Father Paul Kerridge said Monsignor Hannigan had taken mass as usual, and had just finished baptising a baby and blessing the parents when he fell to the floor.
It was believed he died after a cardiac arrest.
The energetic priest had not shown any previous signs of illness, and was fine during the sermon, Father Kerridge said.
His loss would be keenly felt.
"I would say everyone in the parish would consider him their next of kin. He was like a brother."
Parishioner Ross Allan said those who were there were shocked by what they saw unfolding.
"One moment he had baptised a child ... then the next moment there was all this commotion up the front of the church. It was a very unusual situation."
Monsignor Hannigan was a pillar of the community who did everything he could to help those in need, including the homeless who showed up on his doorstep, Allan said.
One of the highlights of Monsignor Hannigan's services was his blessing of children, he said.
In a now-famous incident, a visiting bishop had once been completely ignored when all the kids flocked to Monsignor Hannigan.
"There he was waiting for children to rush up to him, and they all rocketed straight past. He was left quite nonplussed."
Monsignor Hannigan had officiated at thousands of wedding ceremonies, funerals and christenings.
Originally from Ireland, he emigrated to New Zealand in 1956. He worked as a priest in Wellington, Levin, Palmerston North and Ohura before moving to Napier to become parish priest at St Patrick's in 1979.
He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000 for services to the community, including his work with the sick and elderly.
At the time, he attributed the award to his parish and joked that he "thought they'd got the wrong person".
bkmk
Prayer Ping for Monsignor Hannigan.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
If you are going to pick your place, that’s about the best place to go. It’s like a Gift.
It was really scary. Somebody started a rosary, maybe some medically trained parishioners went on the altar but the paramedics were very close and came quickly. They checked him and loaded him up and took him to the hospital.
The younger priest finished the mass. He was all right and resumed his duties in a few days. He did retire not too long after that to his cabin on the river and didn't live too long after that. God bless Father Denning's soul. He was a nice priest.
And may the priest who died saying mass find rest from his labors, light, and peace.
When our good Lord calls you home you go no matter what.
He just blessed another little soul and brought the baby to the Lord. In the twinkle of an eye he was standing before the Lord. He must feel great joy.
God bless and keep you Father.
Actually, it will be a great thing:
“Son, you were the last baby baptized by this saintly priest before he went to meet the Lord. Some of his last words and thoughts were about your soul and your salvation.”
Lord Jesus, rest Thy servant Timothy with the saints and comfort his congregation.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, in the company of all priest martyrs, amen.
Prayers up.
so sorry to hear, he died administering the sacraments, doing Christ’s work, I’m sure he’s up in heaven now. BTW, a few years ago by me a priest died during midnight mass. God can call us home at anytime.
That’s a great grace.
**
Indeed.
I don’t get the reference to the Omen either. People die every day. Some of them die doing what they loved. By all accounts the good father died doing what he loved to do surrounded by his extended family.
Only people like you would think that way - the baby had nothing to do with the priest's death.
It was his time -With your logic I imagine everyone in that congregation should be tied to his death too
besides most newstories on this say it was communion not a baptism
Oh, good grief.
Of course the baby is innocent, for you to think otherwise is foolish.
When the pictures of his baptism/christening are shown someone will mention that the priest died.
Lol. Thanks for proving my point - you would be the type to bring that up.
Good lord.
When my friend was having a baby shower for her youngest, there was a creek by her house.
Her oldest and my youngest went into the creek and found a dead body...every time the pictures are shown of the baby shower someone brings up the dead body in the creek.
It is human nature.
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