Fr Sean O’Donnell died in Ireland in the evening of Wednesday 9th February after suffering an illness that began soon after he retired in the autumn of 2010.

The Bishop of Middlesbrough, The Rt Rev Terence Patrick Drainey, travelled to Ireland for the reception of Fr O’Donnell’s mortal remains into his local parish church on Friday prior to his burial following a Requiem Mass on Saturday 12th February. At the Requiem Mass, the Bishop and the Diocese were represented by Rev Canon Dan Spaight.

Fr Sean O’Donnell was born on 23rd August 1934 at Falcarragh, Co Donegal. He studied for the priesthood at St John’s, Waterford, and was ordained on 14th June 1959. He began his priestly ministry as curate at St Bede’s, Hull, from 1959-1966. From 1966-1974 he was curate at St Alphonsus, North Ormesby, and from 1974-1975 at Our Lady of Lourdes, Hessle. His first appointment as parish priest was from 1975-1981 at St Stephen’s, Hull. From 1981-1984 he served at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Market Weighton, 1984-1995 St Pius X, Middlesbrough, and 1995-2010 at St Mary’s, Filey, from where he retired in 2010 and returned to his home in Ireland.

Throughout his 52 years priestly ministry, Fr Sean O’Donnell assumed numerous additional tasks. In his early years, he was an energetic promoter of and chaplain to the Young Christian Workers. Later, he was truly appreciated and esteemed by the Union of Catholic Mothers as he served them as Diocesan chaplain. It would be unusual not to meet Fr Sean O’Donnell on the Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes; indeed, Sean participated in many pilgrimages, and found time to be present at most local and national Catholic gatherings – one of the final ones, perhaps, to see Pope Benedict at Cofton Park, Birmingham. It would be true to say Fr Sean O’Donnell expended his energies in building up the Faith, the prayer life and community spirit of the parishes in which he served. In his final appointment, at St Mary’s Filey, he oversaw the building of the Parish Hall. He maintained contact with his brother priests often on the golf course.

The Diocese owes a debt of gratitude for his service and expresses prayerful sympathy to his brother Seamus, his sisters, Sr Bridge, Anna and Moira, and extended family and friends.