Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1911-01-28
Father Neafsey's Death Fol-
I'll. lowed by Dominican and
PassiO mist.
Jealous Followers of the Divine
Master Have Pessed
Away.
SOLEMN SERVICES OF REQUIEM

The clergy of this diocese re-
ceived a severe blow on Tuesday
through the demise of two priests
and a lay brother, the Rev. Father
John ]. Neafsey, the Rev. Father
William r. Dunn, o. p, and the
Rev. Brother Richard Clarke, G. p.
REQUIEM masses for each OF the
three were celebrated on Thursday
morning. The obsequies of Father
Neafsey took place at the Cathedral;
of Father Dunn at st. Louis Ber-
trand church, and of Brother Rich
ard at the Sacred Heart Retreat, the
Louisville home of the Passionists.
Father Neafsey had been in poor
health for some time, but only re-
Gently his condition became serious
Then he went to Mercy Hospital for
rest, but he sank rapidly until his
death on Tuesday morning. He is
survived by one sister, who resides
in this city. The funeral arrange
rnents for Father Neafsey were di-
rected by the Right Rev. Bishop
O'Donaghue. The solemn mass OF
requiem was celebrated by the Very
Rev. James p. Cronin, V. c., as
sisted by the Rev. Fathers Daniel
]. Gallagher and Eugene p. Dono-
hue. The sermon was preached by
the Rev. Father p. NJ. J. Rock, who
paid high tribute to the deceased
Priest.
Father Neafsey was born in the
County Roscommon, Ireland, and re-
Ceived his early education in his ma
Whnn ha IN tho
United States he had determined to
become a priest and finished his
theological studies in Dunwoodie
Seminary in the diocese of Albany.
N. Y. After his ordination in 1902
he came direct totfhe diocese -Ql
BLouisville. For a time he was as
sistant to Father Cronin at st. Pat
krick's church. Later he was as
Signed to various rural missions
About three years ago he was
rought to Louisville to establish a
ew mission for colored Catholics
pc work proved too arduous for his
Institution, and about a year ago
was assigned to the parish at
llorsville, where he remained un-
bis fatal illness. Father Neafsey
jealous and humble man of
and was held in high esteem by
fellow clergy. More than 100
ts of the diocese chanted the
e for. the dead over his remains
Cathedral. The body was taken
by brother. of Father Neafsey
nterment.
Thursday morning the Very
j. r. Clark, o. p, celebrated a
nn mass of requiem over the re-
hs of Father Dunn in st. Louis
rand church, and was assisted by
hers Doyle and O'Connor, o. =.
lher Clark preached the funeral
mon. The remains reposed in
te in the church from 3 o'clock
ednesday afternoon until $3.50
clock Thursday afternoon, when
the funeral cortege wended its way
to Union Station. The remains Were
taken to Springfield, and thence to
st. Rose Convent, the earliest home
of the Dominicans in Kentucky.
There a solemn requiem mass was
celebrated on Friday morning, after
which the remains were inferred in
the community cemetery.
The members OF the Holy Name
Sodality, of which Father Dunn was
Chaplain, acted as guard OF honor
while the body reposed in the
church and the pall-bearers were
also chosen from the same society.
Father Dunn was born in Patter-
son, N. J.- about fifty years ago. Al
an early age he entered the Domini-
can novitiate. Last summer hc
went from Louisville to Patterson 10
49, mi
versary of his ordination. Father
Dunn was a brilliant pulpit orator
and was regarded by many who
knew the two Dominicans as sec
ond" Father Tom Burke. The
greater part of his life as priest
was spent in missionary labors. and
the severe strain broke down his
strength. During the past years he
had been one OF the assistant priests
at st Louis Bertrand's church. and
was regarded as one of the best pui
pit orators in the diocese. Fathel
Dunn was modest and humbl,
servant of God His untimely dealt
is a source of great sorrow as wei
as a distinct loss to the Dominicans
Brother Richard Clarke was tn
Oldest lay brother In the PASSIONS
community In the United States botl
In age and point of service. He VA
born at Martinsburg, W. Va, Il
1880. He learned the trade o
cabinet making and followed Il Il
his early manhood. In 1860 he de
termined to devote his life to re
ligious service and entered III
Passionists' convent at Pittsburg
Most Of his religious life was spen
in the Eastern States, and he wa
noted as collector for the yaflou
Passionlst communities 10 which h
was assigned. Five years ago h
was sent TO the community house a
Louisville and, despite his age, en-
gagged actively IN the work Of erect
ing the new Sacred Heart Retreat