Larry Forristal R.I.P.

Larry Forristal – First Parish Priest of Rivermount:

Larry Forristal was mentioned yesterday when some of us chatted at the AGM (ACP).  Today I announced at Mass that he had died. There was a collective gasp. Larry was/is remembered with great affection here in Rivermount Parish. He was the founder of the parish.  He lived in the bungalow (where I now live). He was involved in the building and staffing of the three schools.
He spearheaded the building of the church.

As some of us chatted yesterday, I said that I hadn’t been in touch for a while with Larry. It reminded me that I should ring him or visit him.  Larry loved to chat. His phone calls lasted a long time. His mind was razor sharp and he could recall the history of the parish and all the people in the community. I was always impressed and surprised at how he retained the story in his mind.  He was also very knowledgeable of the history of the Augustinians in Australia. He knew much more than I did.

Larry was a big man and a strong man. He was also fearless.  His strength, directness and fearlessness was much in evidence in those earlier days. It was also very necessary. This community owes so much to Larry.

At Mass this morning, it was remembered that he was made President of the local Rivermount Boys’ club (soccer). Some of us smiled at the idea of Larry (a Kilkenny man and a rabid GAA man) being the President of a soccer club.

Larry loved to hear of everything that was going on in Finglas South. I regret that I didn’t manage to keep in touch with him as much I would have liked. He said to me forcibly one time: “I should have stayed as parish priest at Rivermount.”  He meant it. All the administrative distractions of being a bishop weren’t to his liking.

On Monday we gathered the staffs of our four schools (as we do each year). It is an occasion to thank them for their work and to encourage them. It is also a time to share with the new teachers something of the history and aspiration of the schools. This year, we invited the first principals to talk about those faraway and early days. They used such words as – care, heart and stamina. They were magnificent.  The affection and commitment was extraordinary. Jim O Shaughnessy, (Mary Conroy couldn’t be present), Conor McCarthy and Dave Carter spoke.  The new teachers heard the challenge and the very meaning of ethos.  They heard of the difficulty but also the importance of total commitment, Godliness and love to work here.  The First Principles of the First Principals were very special.

They shared the same outlook and heart as did Larry Forristal. They made each other in this place. We are humbled and very grateful.

Seamus Ahearne osa