A life-sized memorial statue depicting beloved local priest Fr Raymond Browne, who passed away in November 2020 aged 92, is to be unveiled on Sunday, September 8th, in Fourmilehouse.
Fr Browne served the parish of Kilbride for 34 years (29 as parish priest and 5 as pastor-emeritus). Prior to his time in Kilbride, his ministry took him to a number of parishes, including Drumboylan and Roscommon town (for fourteen years each), and he also spent four years in Nigeria.
He was immensely dedicated to his work, spending his retirement years continuing to exercise an active pastoral ministry.
Fr Browne’s memorial statue, which has been constructed from marble, was commissioned with County Roscommon-based company Feelystone. As Kilbride parish comprises both Fourmilehouse and Derrane, the decision was made to erect the statue in Fouremilehouse, within the vicinity of St Brigid’s Church, and to install new public seating in memory of Fr Browne in Derrane, close to Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
The official unveiling ceremony will be preceded by a special Mass at 12 noon, celebrated by the Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran. After Mass, Bishop Doran will bless the statue, along with the new public seating. Refreshments will be served in the community centre.
Speaking to the Roscommon People this week, Chairperson of the Fr Raymond Browne Memorial Committee, Timmy Donnelly, explained how the project started.
“When he passed away, it was a big hit to the community, but it was during Covid, so we decided not to celebrate his life at that time as we were having lockdowns”, he explained. “In the end, we decided to set up a committee of like-minded people to do something to honour him and all he did”.
Mr Donnelly outlined the enormous impact Fr Browne had on the area over the years: “When he first came to the parish, the new school was being built and he got stuck in right away, helping out”.
“He got a lot done”, Chairperson Donnelly told the People, describing how Fr Browne oversaw the development of countless facilities, such as the local community centre, childcare centre, eight houses for the elderly, and a community building for the elderly, which is also used by the Alzheimer’s Society for day care.
The impact of these developments is still felt strongly today: “That community centre must be the best used in Connacht!”, Chairperson Donnelly told the People.
Chairperson Donnelly also commended Fr Browne’s many other undertakings, such as organising group trips to visit shrines, and his dedication to developing a community that served its young people.
“He was an unreal man, a man of great vision”, Mr Donnelly explained. “He had a way of getting things done and he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“He was a very good man, and very spiritual. He was so dedicated to helping his community, and he worked right until his last days. We’re looking forward to honouring him with this statue”.
The committee began a fundraising drive for the memorial statue last year, and are still accepting donations to finance all aspects of the project. Donations can be made online via iDonate (idonate.ie/fundraiser/FrRaymondBrowneMemorial), handed in to the local shop or church, or given directly to any of the committee members.
All are welcome to attend the upcoming unveiling in Fourmilehouse, to celebrate Fr Browne’s rich legacy and support the committee’s work in delivering this project.
