Latest news with #DayCentre
Irish Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Br Kevin Crowley remembered as ‘fearless and tireless advocate' for the most vulnerable in society
Br Kevin Crowley was a 'fearless and tireless advocate' for the most vulnerable in society and a man with a 'generous, passionate heart', the funeral of the late Capuchin Friar has heard. The founder of the Capuchin Day Centre for homeless people in Dublin died this week, aged 91. His funeral at the St Mary of the Angels church on Saturday morning, one street over from the homeless centre, was attended by hundreds of mourners who paid tribute to the man who represented 'the conscience' of the Irish people. Known to most simply as Br Kevin, he was 'a tireless advocate for those with no voice' and 'always had a particular affection for the vulnerable people in our country', Br Patrick Flynn told the packed church in Dublin 7. READ MORE He was a 'driven' and 'deeply religious' man who 'used his gifts well', the congregation heard. The Funeral of Br Kevin Crowley at the St Mary of the Angels Church in Dublin. Photograph: Tom Honan Mourners pay their respects by touching the coffin of Br Kevin Crowley. Photograph: PA Br Flynn recalled how Br Kevin awoke at 4am each morning, went to chapel for prayer at 4.30am and then walked over to the day centre to prepare for the hundreds of people who would arrive for breakfast. 'Kevin was really good at spotting people in distress and gently taking them under his wing,' he said. [ Br Kevin Crowley obituary: Champion of the homeless Opens in new window ] 'He wasn't perfect; he could be feisty and challenging. But what he did have in abundance was a generous, passionate heart.' Tributes were also paid to the staff and volunteers at the centre. 'He was never a one-man band,' said Br Flynn. 'One of his great gifts was to inspire other people to come with him.' Br Crowley's funeral cortege leaving the church. Photograph: Tom Honan A mourner reaches to touch Br Crowley's coffin on Saturday. Photograph: Tom Honan A letter sent from the Capuchin general council in Rome following Br Kevin's death – recalling how he had founded the day centre in 1969 in response to seeing homeless men eating from rubbish bins – was read out during the mass. It noted how the late Pope Francis, who visited the Capuchin centre during his visit to Ireland in 2018, said he was 'moved' by Br Kevin's 'beautiful' work in Dublin. Br Richard Hendrick, principal celebrant of the funeral, expressed the Capuchin friars' commitment to carry on Br Kevin's work into the future. 'It will continue and it will grow and as long as there are guests who wish to avail of the service, we make it our commitment as friars to be there for you along with the staff and the volunteers.' Saturday's funeral was attended by President Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina. Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell, retired archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin joined in the celebration of mass. Archdeacon David Pierpoint also attended, representing the Church of Ireland. Following the mass, the funeral procession made its way slowly up Church Street to the sound of applause from attendees and members of the local community. It turned on to King Street North and then to Bow Street where it stopped briefly in front of the Capuchin Day Centre. A mourner holds a funeral booklet for Br Kevin Crowley. Photograph: Tom Honan Alan Bailey, the centre's manager, recalled how Br Kevin had built it up from 'nothing' to providing daily breakfasts to 400 people and dinners to 700. This Saturday alone, just under 400 people attended for breakfast. 'We had to close early today to get to the funeral,' Mr Bailey said. When the centre opened in the late 60s, Br Kevin never could have imagined the hundreds of people who would be in need of food five decades later, said Mr Bailey. 'We never thought we'd still be here. There will come a day when we can close the door and say his work is done. But that day is not here yet.' Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Br Kevin's life, and death, set the challenge to 'do better' in responding to the State's homelessness crisis. He 'respected people immeasurably' but was also 'extremely opinionated', said Ms McDonald. 'He couldn't have achieved what he achieved without incredible stamina and very strong opinions. He was a man of love but he hated poverty.' Senator Aubrey McCarthy, founder of the Tiglin Lighthouse homeless cafe, said Br Kevin was a 'beacon of light to thousands of people in the inner city' who worked 'without judgment' and with 'humility'. Mr McCarthy said he had contacted Dublin City Council and the Lord Mayor requesting a street in the capital be named after the friar. 'He would possibly not like it, but I do think we need to pay tribute to Br Kevin, who really made a difference to the people of Dublin.'
The Journal
02-07-2025
- General
- The Journal
'17 years I knew him': Shock and sadness in queue for daily lunch service at Capuchin centre
'He was a really brilliant helper, really brilliant person. The best kind. He did a lot for the people.' There was shock and sadness at the Capuchin Day Centre this afternoon after the announcement of the death of Brother Kevin Crowley , the friar who founded the well-known meals service. For years, the centre has provided thousands of hot meals to homeless people and people in poverty, and Brother Kevin has been a familiar face and respected humanitarian figure. Outside the centre today, on a sunny afternoon on Bow Street, Dublin 7, The Journal spoke to people queueing ahead of its lunch service. For several of them, it was how they learned that Brother Kevin had passed away, and the news was met with sorrow. Three men in the queue together were very shocked to learn that he had died. 'I met him here umpteen times,' said Michael, one of the men. One woman, Samita, said: 'Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.' 'He was very good. 17 years, I knew him,' she said. 'I remember him for years. He was a really brilliant helper, really brilliant person. The best kind. He did a lot for the people.' Another man and woman in the queue hadn't met Brother Kevin personally but knew who he was and the significance of his work. They said they were very sad to learn of his passing. Advertisement The centre on Bow Street provides hundreds of hot meals every day. Brother Kevin was a Capuchin Friar who founded the Day Centre in Dublin in 1969. Since then, it has been an important resource for people in need in Dublin city. As well as daily hot meals, it's known for providing help around Christmas time through food parcels and food vouchers, a service which has seen an increase in demand in recent years. The centre was visited by the late Pope Francis in 2018 during his trip to Ireland. His papal namesake, St Francis of Assisi, known for charitable works, was also the inspiration for the founding of the Capuchin Day Centre. Brother Kevin was at its helm from its founding in 1969 up until he retired in 2022 at the age of 87. He was a vocal advocate for the rights of homeless people and criticised the government's failures in housing policy on several occasions over the years. In 2018, he made clear his disapproval of the decision to move people staying in emergency accommodation in Dublin to outside of the city centre during Pope Francis's visit. 'I feel absolutely disgusted to think that Pope Francis is being used for getting these people out of emergency accommodation,' Brother Kevin said at the time. 'If there's one thing for certain, that's one of the things that Pope Francis would be entirely against,' he said. The following year, he described the housing crisis as 'appalling' and called on the government to ramp up action to address it. 'Each person should have their own home, they should have a key to their own door, and that's not being done. Money is being wasted ridiculously otherwise and [Government is] not putting it where they should be putting it,' he said. President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to Brother Kevin this afternoon, describing him as a 'warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need'. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was a 'tireless and passionate advocate for justice' who 'dedicated his life to helping those in need', while Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was 'one of life's true heroes'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
02-07-2025
- General
- Sunday World
Founder of Capuchin Day Centre, Brother Kevin Crowley, dies aged 90
Breaking | President Michael D Higgins has lead tributes saying he made 'an invaluable contribution to the people of Dublin city' though the 'essential services' provided by the Capuchin Day Centre. Day Centre founder Brother Kevin Crowley Known across Ireland for his work helping the poor and homeless, Brother Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre, based on Bow Street in Dublin, in 1969. The organisation provides more than 1,000 hot meals every day and more than 1,000 food parcels every week for homeless and poor people. Tributes to Br Kevin have been led by President Michael D Higgins, who said he made 'an invaluable contribution to the people of Dublin city' though the 'essential services' provided by the Capuchin Day Centre. 'The hot meals, food parcels, clothing, showers, family services, and medical and dental services have not just extended care of the most vulnerable, but has been exemplary in showing a fundamental respect for the dignity of each person and allowed so many of those who have availed of the services to rebuild their lives,' he said. 'It was extremely appropriate that Pope Francis visited Brother Kevin and the Capuchin Day Centre during his visit to Ireland in 2018 and met with those present and volunteers.' Day Centre founder Brother Kevin Crowley Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 2nd President Higgins said he was 'deeply honoured' to meet with Br Kevin 'on many occasions' throughout the years and to share in his company. He described him as a 'warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need'. 'Brother Kevin leaves a wonderful legacy to all those whose lives to which he made such a difference. Sabina and I will miss his messages, which continued after his move to Cork. 'May I express my deepest condolences to Brother Kevin's family, to all of his fellow Capuchins, and to all of his many friends and colleagues across the country. Síocháin síoraí do a anam lách uasal.' The Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell extended his sympathies to Br Kevin's family and his fellow Capuchins. "His work with the Capuchin Day Centre staff and volunteers transformed the lives of the poor and marginalised in our city who availed of its services, from misery and despair to hope and love,' he said. "He was always able to see Christ in the people he met. His was a love that reached out with no questions asked of those who sought assistance. Brother Kevin was an authentic follower of St Francis of Assisi. Read more 'As we mourn Brother Kevin's death, he would want us to remember the poor we still have with us in ever greater numbers because of homelessness, wars, famine and the multiplicity of addictions that affect our county today. "Today we ask the Lord to grant us compassion for those who are experiencing Calvary and sorrow for our own self-indulgence. We cannot put words on that love of God, and yet when we have witnessed it in a good man's life and death, we too are able to recognise it, and to say a deeper and more grateful 'yes' to God. 'May Brother Kevin Crowley rest in the eternal embrace of God.' Born to parents William and Catherina in Kilcolean in Enniskeane, Co Cork in February of 1935, Br Kevin was baptised William. He attended school at the local national school and Bandon Vocational School. He then entered the Capuchin Postulancy in Co Kilkenny on April 7, 1958, Easter Monday of that year. In October of that year, he was admitted to the Novitate in Rochestown in Cork where he received the name Kevin. After spending time working in the Cooperative Clothing Guild in Dublin, he had offices on Bow Street reconstructed to build the Capuchin Day Centre. It has since gone on to become a vital facility for supporting poor and homeless people in Dublin. In recent years, it has offered support for international protection applicants. The centre was visited by Pope Francis during his time in Ireland in 2018, where he met service users. Addressing Capuchins in the Vatican later that year, the late pontiff said: 'Recently in Ireland, I saw your work with the most discarded and I was moved. It is a beautiful thing that … the elderly founder told me, 'Here we do not ask where you come from, who you are: you are a child of God'. "This is one of your traits. To really understand the persons, by 'smell', unconditionally. Come in, then we will see. As Capuchins, closeness is your charism. Preserve it.' Brother Kevin retired in 2022, aged 87.
