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Very Rev. timothy canon brosnan

Timothy Brosnan was born in Knockanimiris, Headford, Killarney, one of six children to Timothy and Hannah Brosnan.

He studied for the priesthood at St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Motherwell on 2nd June 1957 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, by Bishop Patrick Collier of the Diocese of Ossary.

 

His brother, Father Patrick Brosnan, also became a Priest for Motherwell Diocese and was ordained in 1953, serving in various parts of the Diocese. Father Patrick sadly died on 26th March 1995 whilst serving as Parish Priest of St Patrick’s, Coatbridge. May he rest in peace. 

 

Father Timothy Brosnan arrived in Scotland in the summer of 1957 and took up his first appointment as curate in St Mungo’s Garthamlock (1957-1960) before moving to be curate of St Margaret’s Airdrie (1960-1971).

 

It was in 1971 that Father Brosnan came to Bellshill for his first appointment in the town, as Assistant Priest of Sacred Heart Parish (1971-1976). During his time in Sacred Heart he got to know many of the families, marry many of the couples and baptise many of the babies whom he would later serve as Parish Priest in St Gerard’s Parish. He remained in Bellshill until1976 when he moved to Chapelhall to serve as curate of St Aloysius’ Parish.

 

In 1981, in his 24th year of the Priesthood, Father Brosnan received his first Parish Priest appointment when he was appointed to St Benedict’s, Easterhouse (1981-1984), an appointment which he spoke very fondly of for many years.

On Sunday 21st October, 1984, Father Brosnan arrived in St Gerard’s Parish as he took up appointment as the new Parish Priest. This was his second appointment in Bellshill and where he was to remain for the following 27 years of his active ministry until his retirement.

Continuing the work of his predecessors, Father Brosnan helped to build St Gerard’s up to be an active and thriving parish with a wonderful spiritual and devotional life. He introduced many new groups and initiatives into the parish including the Choir and Care Group.

 

A man of great faith with a strong devotion to Our Lady, Father Brosnan encouraged parishioners to enter into a deeper relationship with Christ by fostering a greater prayer and spiritual life. Father helped to encourage this through the many prayer groups, Missions and retreats which he offered as well as the wonderful devotional life which he helped to establish and grow in the parish through daily Adoration, Rosaries, Benediction, Devotions and Novenas.

 

Each day Father Brosnan paid a visit to St Gerard’s Primary where he would spend time in each class and was a great support to both pupils and staff. It is often commented on that he knew every single child in the school by name.

 

Father Brosnan also had a great love for the sick, spending time each week visiting the sick and housebound parishioners of the parish at home and hospital. He also spent a few hours each day visiting the homes of parishioners with every family in the parish receiving a visit at least twice a year, something which was greatly appreciated by parishioners.

And he still managed to find time to maintain his gardens which were his pride and joy and brought great pleasure to both parishioners and passers-by alike.

 

In 2007, Father Brosnan celebrated with, no fuss, the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination. The following year, on 17th April 2008, Father Brosnan was installed as a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter in Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell, by Bishop Joseph Devine.

Canon’s time in the Parish came to an end in March 2011 when he retired from active ministry due to ill health and returned home to Ireland. His time with us may have ended but his memory and legacy lives on to this day as does the love and affection which the parishioners have for him.

 

Canon Brosnan spent 54 years in active ministry in the Diocese of Motherwell, 32 of which were spent in Bellshill and more than half of his ministry was spent in St Gerard’s Parish.

 

Canon Brosnan was resident Our Lady of Lourdes Care Home, Kilcummin, Killarney, where he died on Tuesday 13th March 2018. His Requiem mass was celebrated on Friday 16th March in the Church of The Sacred Heart, Barraduff. May he rest n peace.

...A Message from Fr Brosnan to Parishioners for the
Silver Jubilee of the Opening of the Church, 1996...
Canon Timothy Brosnan (St Gerard's Bellshill), Canon James Ashe (St Bernadette's Motherwell), Canon John Healy (St Serf's Airdrie), Canon Patrick O'Sullivan (St Andrew's Airdrie) & Canon Andrew Reen (Sacred Heart Bellshill).

A clipping from the Scottish Catholic Obsever:

Left-Right: Canon Timothy Brosnan (St Gerard's, Bellshill), Canon James Ashe RIP (St Berndette's, Motherwell), Canon John Healy (St Serf's, Airdrie), Canon Patrick O'Sullivan (St Andrew's, Airdrie) & Canon Andrew Reen (Sacred Heart, Bellshill)

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