This article is from page 13 of the 2007-12-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
THE tragic death of Sylvia Roche Kelly marked a “dark and sad” time for the people of Cratloe, Sixmileb- ridge and Coonagh, her funeral mass heard last Wednesday.
Up to 500 mourners attended Syl- via’s funeral at the Little Church in Sixmilebridge. Mourners packed into the small church while hundreds of others braved the wintry winds to pray silently outside.
Fr Liam Enright, who was one of seven priests who _ concelebrated the Mass, said Sylvia’s death had “shocked and saddened” everybody. She had socialised in Limerick to celebrate her 33rd birthday, but, sad- ly, never made it home.
“It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t seem fair. Her great work is cut short. We are left with a terrible sense of loss. We are plunged into darkness,” said Fr Enright, who is parish priest
of Cratloe.
‘Tragic death, which is almost al- ways sudden, is like a blackout. One minute the sunis shining. Next minute it is dark night. Without the slight- est warning or the slightest chance to prepare ourselves we are plunged
into an impenetrable darkness. In the Space of a minute our whole world is turned upside down. Nothing can prepare us for something like this or Save us from its devastating effects,” added the priest.
“Naturally we ask, why did it hap-
pen? There is a tendency to say, ‘It’s the will of God’. Let us be perfectly clear: God did not want this tragedy to happen. There is only one thing we can do. Just as when a black- out occurs we rush for a light, any light, even that of a humble candle so now we rush to the only light that can penetrate this awful darkness, namely the light of Christ,” said Fr Syavwrcaelm
“Christ too died at the young age of 33,” he said.
Fr Enright said the entire commu- nity should be thankful for Sylvia’s life, for her helpful way and for her love for her family.
“We must not dwell too much on the manner of her death. It is better to give thanks to God for her life and commend her to God in death,” said Fr Enright.