Father Richard Rooney C.Ss.R. Biography
Fr. Richard Rooney was born into a farming family in north county Dublin. Having completed his primary schooling locally, he went to the Redemptorist College in Limerick in 1963 and from there, in 1968, to the novitiate in Esker. He made his religious profession in September 1969. He continued his formation in Galway and studied for a BA degree in University College Galway. He came o Marianella, Dublin in 1973 and after further studies and work experience, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1978. The following year he went to Brazil, which was to be his home and place of mission for forty years.
In Brazil he worked primarily in parish ministry in places such as Pedro Afonso, Iguatu, Teresina and Fortaleza. In his ministry he showed great empathy for people and had special compassion for those who were suffering in any way. On returnng to Ireland in 2019 he joined the community in St. Joseph’s Dundalk. He undertook as much ministry as he could but was limited due to poor health. At the recent solemn novena in October, he did his share on the confession rota and the anointing of the sick.
He was an avid sports fan – the Dubs, Shamorck Rovers and Manchester United were his teams of preference and he enjoyed engaging with local supporters on team rivalry!
He will be sorely missed by his family, his confreres and friends.
May our dear confrere rest in peace
