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| Fr. Gerry Clenaghan, OMI |
Biography of Fr. Gerry Clenaghan, OMI (Oblate of Mary
Immaculate)
Father Gerry was born in Ireland in 1922. Father entered the Seminary of the Missionary
Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1940 at the age of 18. Father was ordained on June 19, 1947 at the
age of 26. He was assigned to British
Columbia, Canada, October 1947. Father
was appointed Pastor in Burns Lake, B.C., in 1960 and in Prince George, B.C.,
in 1970. He spent 19 years as Director
of Frontier Apostolate, the lay volunteer program of the Diocese of Prince
George. Father was also involved in Marriage
Encounter, Parish Renewal, Cursillo, and the preaching of Parish Missions,
Knights of Columbus, and Rotary.
Father Gerry worked in Yakutat, Alaska (1975-1977). He worked in Burns Lake, BC from
1977-1980. He also worked from San
Fernando, CA from 1980-1982. And then he
served the Archdiocese of Seattle since 1982.
Father Gerry arrived in Anacortes as co-pastor on August 15, 1985. He became Pastor on July 1, 1987 until 1993.
Father Gerry Clenaghan was serving at St. Mary when the
Parish was celebrating their 75th Anniversary. To commemorate their Anniversary, Father and
Parishioners commissioned a marble shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen
of Peace; now located between the Parish and the Fr. Auer Center. It took nearly two years to talk to
Parishioners about the Statue.
Parishioners and some Non-Parishioners came forth and helped Father to
finance the project.
The Statue was the work of three people, an East Germany Native Joe Richter, an Italian Allessio Faville, and an Italian Sculptor Sirio de Ranieri. Peter Andriesen from Guemes Island was placed in charge of the placement of the Statue.
The statue can be described in this manner. The Blessed Virgin Mary has her hands clasped prayer-like under her chin. Father says: “She looks as if she just stopped for a moment to rest.” The folds of her gown and robes gracefully fall down her back. The Blessed Virgin Mary also steps upon the serpent which is from the Book of Revelation chapter 12. She who gave birth to the Savior, destroyed the rule of Satan; the serpent represents Satan. She is the Second Eve. Father mentioned that the Catholic Church does not consider Mary an idol or a goddess, but instead, we give her respect because she was chosen by God to give birth to the Son of God. Father went on to say: “Adam and Eve blew it, but Mary and Jesus fixed it.”
By having the Memorial Mass today, we are showing our
appreciation from St. Mary Parish for Fr. Gerry’s faithful service as Pastor of
St. Mary. Because we believe in the
resurrection of the dead, we shall see him again. But in the mean time, eternal rest grant unto
him and may he rest in peace. Amen.
