The late Michael McLoone - a prophet of a future not his own

The funeral Mass of the late Michael McLoone took place in St Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon on Wednesday and the theme chosen by Chief Celebrant, Fr Michael McCullagh - Michael’s cousin - was the heading above, ‘Michael McLoone - a prophet of a future not his own’.

The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr McCullagh along with Fr Rory Brady, Fr Dermot Burke, Fr Sunil Joseph and Canon Ramon Munster. Among the large attendance present were the Mayor of Donegal County Council, Cllr Paul Canning and Commandant Joe Glennon, Aide-de-camp to Taoiseach Michéal Martin.

The local GAA club, Aodh Ruadh, performed a guard of honour at the funeral, as did Donegal County Council.
Michael McLoone, or as he was affectionately called, Mickey, was widely known throughout Donegal and the country due to his sporting achievements and his work achievements. He was one of the best-known footballers ever in Donegal in the 1960s and then in his work life, he left a legacy that is unrivalled in the area of health and as Donegal County Manager.

Among the gifts taken to the altar were family photos, a book and a football, which represented his life.
In a touching Homily, Fr McCullagh said: “There is a prayer attributed to the now saintly Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was martyred in San Salvador, called: We are prophets of a future not our own.

“Today we are honouring one who was a prophet of a future not our own, a life which cost not less than everything.
“A prophet is a visionary, one who reflects deeply on life, the one who takes the road less travelled. In the end Michael had the joy of seeing his prophetic life bear great fruits for those he served.

“Michael was called and inspired by his parents, and supported by his wife Imelda and family who shared in the many sacrifices he made in serving others.

“Prophets are those people who can gather diverse minorities around a primary goal - how often Michael did that in bringing organisations and communities together for a common purpose. Trying to get a controversial budget across the line in the Council, he would remove the pen and say: ‘In the end it’s the members’ decision’ - it brought a laugh, but more importantly, a resolution.

“Today it would be a great error to define or indeed confine Michael McLoone in terms of his sporting abilities, his administrative acumen or the countless monuments which attest his vision. It will be for others to do that. Michael did not dwell on past glories or achievements except for one exception, which greatly amused him.

“He often recalled leaving a meeting at dusk with colleagues in London during his Beaumont days, when a stranger emerged from the misty streets at dusk and addressed him without any introductory remark: ‘Mickey McLoone, you should have won that match in Casement Park in 1966’, and just as quickly disappeared back into the anonymous London city streets. His colleagues wondered about the celebrity in their midst.

“Like many other great leaders and innovators, Michael would have found echoes in his heart of the words of the song ‘Is this all there is?’ Something deep down inside him told him there was more. Intuitively, Michael knew that God alone is the Master builder, the one who knows a future which is not our own.

“For the last number of years, Michael pondered deeply on this God as he struggled to come to terms with challenging health issues. Finally, his wrestling match with God ended on Sunday morning in the presence of his devoted family and caring hospital staff. Our faith teaches us to hope that that stranglehold resolved itself into a loving eternal embrace with the God who seeks us more than we could ever seek Him.

“Prophets become the change they wish to see and so our dear Michael, as the second reading from an elderly St Paul to his young disciple Timothy states: As for me, my life is over and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

“We will proceed shortly to the Abbey cemetery and see written on the headstones there of our loved ones: ‘In Loving Memory’. What one memory, what one virtue would we wish to adopt from Michael’s life and practice in our own? If I could be a prophet for a future not my own; if I could speak for those on the margins; if I could speak words of justice; If I could promote others and celebrate their successes, then I would knock on heaven’s door and say, dear Lord, give the credit to our dear brother, Michael McLoone.

“We heard that there are many rooms in the house of the Father; bring Michael to that room reserved for restless prophets among the saints and may he continue to do good among us from heaven. Ar dheis lamh Dé go raibh a anam usual glé-gheal aoibhinn dhilis. Amen.”

After the funeral Mass, Michael McLoone’s remains were taken to the Abbey cemetery for burial. He is survived by his wife Imelda; sons Michael, David, Philip and daughter Caroline, his daughters-in-law Elaine, Aoife and Louise, son-in-law Noel. Adored by his grandchildren Aaron, Kate, Daniel, Nicole, Emily and Conall. Brothers Peter (and Liz), Paul (and Marie) and sister Catherine, nieces, nephews and all his extended family and friends.