Jarlath Heneghan

February 2, 1931 - August 20, 2022

Obituary

Father Jarlath M. Heneghan went home to the Lord Jesus peacefully on Saturday, August 20, 2022. He was born in Knock, Mayo, Ireland, on February 2, 1931. He was the youngest of five boys. He had an entrepreneurial spirit as a youngster, cycling around to local farmers buying excess eggs and selling them in his parents’ general store. He also delivered telegrams on his bicycle from local post offices to people in the parish, as only a few people had a telephone in those early years- urgent messages were sent by telegram. He attended Knock National School and St. Jarlath’s boarding school in Galway where he excelled at football. He also played football (soccer) for Ireland at a minor level which was a great honor and was a lifelong follower of GAA football afterward.

Growing up, Fr. Heneghan loved animals, especially horses, and dreamed of being an Equine Veterinarian. He was all set to enter studies when a friend asked him to come with him to seminary for a year. Fr. Heneghan agreed, entered Carlow College, and the rest is God’s good providence. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Seattle on June 5, 1955, in Carlow Cathedral of the Assumption by Bishop M.R. Thomas Keogh. He was the second of the five boys to join the priesthood, as his older brother Kieran went on to be a Columban missionary priest to the Philippines.

His first assignment was as an assistant to St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Lakewood under Fr. Andrew (Andy) Squire. In November of 1961, Archbishop Connolly appointed him assistant of St. James Cathedral in Seattle, where he would remain for the next seven years. His first assignment as a pastor was to establish a new parish on the expanding east side of Lake Washington, St. Madeleine Sophie Parish in Bellevue. When he left in 1977, St. Madeleine Sophie was well on its way as a thriving parish. He went on to pastor and very much enjoy the communities of St. Thomas Parish in Tukwila, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bothell, and Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonds before entering senior priest status in July 1996.

Fr. Heneghan was a ‘gate crasher extraordinaire,’ which ran in his blood because his first cousin, Fr. Jack Jennings, shared the same quality. Fr. Jennings was also a priest for the Archdiocese of Seattle, which was a boundless joy for them to share. Whereas Fr. Jennings directed his talent to sporting events, it was Church gatherings where Fr. Heneghan specialized, such as the centenary of the apparition at Knock in 1979, when he managed to gate crash the sacristy to take a photo of St. John Paul II. The highest point of his talent, though, was Vatican II, where he dressed as a bishop at the insistence of his Ordinary and processed into St. Peter’s with the other bishops. When he found himself suddenly alone, as the other bishops around him shot into their reserved seats in the pews, he plowed on, aiming at an empty stool at the end of the nave. He sat down and attempted to play the part of a bishop by giving the impression of listening to a few speeches and even taking notes. However, he did not deceive the security people for long. Authority descended on him with the words: ‘Follow me.’ He did not want to confront the guard, so he pretended to admire the architecture! Eventually, another bishop appeared from the Basilica, made for the outside door, and was saluted by the guard. Fr. Heneghan followed suit with a nod to the guard, who returned a magnificent solute. Looking back on this experience, Fr. Heneghan rightly claimed to be one of the last to attend Vatican II 😊 

He remained close with his family back home and would travel back there often and to Spain. He obtained a pilot’s license and enjoyed flying when he could. He enjoyed a game of golf with brother priests or parishioners. He loved following the Seahawks, Sonics, and Mariners and watching golf tournaments on television. He loved an Irish card game called “25” which he enjoyed playing with friends and neighbors of his parishes over the years; a wonderful way to get to know people and “news” of the parish- some true and some exaggerated of course. While God had other plans for his first ambition to be an Equine Veterinarian, he remained engaged with nature during his entire priesthood. He found it to be a source of renewal and encounter with the Lord Jesus. 

He entered the Retired Priest Center at the Palisades in 2017 and thoroughly enjoyed the combination of many of his favorite things; the regular celebration of the Holy Mass, plentiful access to nature surrounding him, and fraternity with brother priests. He was generous with his time and availability to retreatants and was a beloved “member” of the retreat center team over the years. Who knew that his prayers could be relied upon every afternoon at about 4 pm when he came to celebrate his Holy Hour in the Retreat Center Chapel. 

This summer, Fr. Heneghan was told that the growth of his lymphoma was inoperable. After conferring with those closest to him, he chose to receive in-home hospice care. He remained in great spirits and continued to enjoy the fraternity of his brother priests, especially Fr. Mike Batterberry, Fr. Dick Gallagher, and Fr. Kevin Moran. 

Fr. Heneghan loved to pray the Memorare, composed by St. Bernard of Clairvaux. He also had a special devotion to Our Lady of Knock, his hometown. St. Bernard’s feast is August 20, and the Feast of Our Lady of Knock is August 21- God winks! He owned a great sense of humor and a gentle manner. One rarely left an encounter with Fr. Heneghan without feeling a little more encouraged, unconditionally loved, and amused with God and life. He was grateful for the excellent help of parishioners and friends over the years, as manifested most touchingly in his care towards the end of life. 

Fr. Heneghan is preceded in death by his parents, James and May Kate, and brothers, Michael, Sean, Rev. Kieran, and Alo. He is survived by eight nephews, eight nieces, and scores of grand and great-grand nephews and nieces with whom he shared mutual affection and adoration.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. 

Cards of remembrance can be sent to:

Raymond Heneghan (nephew) 

Knock Post Office

Claremorris, County Mayo

Ireland F12C421

Diana DiPietro (good friend and DPOA)

16400 Southcenter Parkway #308

Tukwila, WA. 98188

  • Committal: Date and time TBA, Marian Funeral Home, Knock, Claremorris, Ireland. 
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Carol Anest
Carol Anest
2 years ago

Carol Anest

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Thomas Burns
Thomas Burns
5 months ago

Thomas Burns
Great nephew
Grandson of Martin Heneghan
Son of Dorothy née Hannigan

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