February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
The Irish community in New York is coming to the aid of missionaries in Brazil who are in desperate need of finances to save their only means of transport.
The Killala Mission to Brazil has been in existence since the mid 1970s when two Mayo priests, Fr. Michael Foody and Fr. Michael Cawley volunteered to work as Missionary Priests in the region. Almost 30 years later, Fr. Martin Keaveny is still struggling to continue the spreading of the faith. His only means of transport, a 1990 Ford jeep, is on its last legs and costing on average $7,000 a year to keep on the road.
In an effort to help Fr. Keaveny, this Friday’s fourth annual O’Farrell’s Golf Outing, at Douglaston Golf Course in Queens, will benefit the charity.
After spending a number of years among the Irish community in New York, Keaveny moved to Brazil in 1994. For six years he and his Irish aid workers have promoted education, health, parish-run crèches, street-kid programs and even started a vocational school program, with emphasis on carpentry and woodwork.
"Their biggest drawback is the lack of transportation and infrastructure," according to Terry Reilly, who is heading the drive to raise enough money in New York to send a new jeep to Brazil later this month.
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In the rainy season, Keaveny’s route is known as the dirt track, while in the dry season it is a dust bowl. The 400-mile Sunday Mass trip has taken its toll on the jeep and, according to Reilly, the vehicle won’t last much longer.
Donations and tickets can be obtained by calling Terry Reilly, Pat Cassidy or Frank Ford at (212) 268 0587.