Msgr Tom Woods had a ‘keen intellect and a deep devotion to his vocation’

The Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev Dermot Farrell, was among the clerical hierarchy in attendance at the funeral of Monsignor Thomas Woods, DCL, in Mullingar on Thursday last. The Papal Nuncio, His Excellency, Most Rev Jude Thaddeus Okolo was unable to attend, but sent his sympathies.

The Bishop of Meath, Most Rev Dr Tom Deenihan, concelebrated Requiem Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King, assisted by Archbishop Farrell, Most Rev Dr Michael Smith, retired Bishop of Meath, and priests from the dioceses.

Very Rev Tony Gonoude, PP, Ballynacargy, delivered the homily, in which he remembered Monsignor Tom as a “very quiet gentleman”, a man with a keen intellect and a deep devotion to his vocation. He truly loved being a priest, celebrating Mass and being prayerful, Fr Gonoude remarked.

Monsignor Woods was a native of Mullingar and was educated at St Mary’s CBS and at St Finian’s College, where his father taught English, and at the Irish College in Rome.

He was ordained in 1958, and completed his Licentiate in Canon Law at the Lateran University in Rome. In 1950, he was appointed to the staff of St Finian’s College, but remained there for only a few months as later that year he entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See.

Having completed a doctorate in Canon Law in 1962, Monsignor Woods was appointed to the nunciature in Pakistan. He later served in many countries, including Ethiopia, Canada, the United States and Portugal and subsequently spent many years working in the Secretariat of State in the Vatican. He retired in August 2002 due to ill health and returned to Ireland.

In his homily, Fr Gonoude remarked that the young Tom Woods loved to play tennis with his friends and from a young age, displayed a keen intellect and love of reading. Bishop Coyne recognised his potential as a clerical student and sent him to the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, where he excelled. When Bishop Michael Smith went to Rome to begin his studies, Tom was the college prefect.

Fr Gonoude said that Monsignor Woods studied extensively the countries to which he was posted and was often an aid to other countries as well. He witnessed sufferings and tragedies and the cultural challenges of many places. Later, when he was assigned work in the Secretariat of State, he could be seen walking every morning in all weathers to his position, umbrella in hand.

When he retired, Monsignor Tom returned to Dunboyne parish, where he found a warm, caring and kind welcome with the late Monsignor Ted Dunne, Monsignor Dermot Farrell, now the Archbishop of Dublin, and Fr Tony Gavin. As his health deteriorated, he became a resident of Newbrook Lodge nursing home, back in his home town of Mullingar.

In Newbrook, where he was resident for the last 12 years, Monsignor Tom was a great support to staff. He was caring and wise to the other residents and exercised his ministry as a priest, and celebrated Mass every day. He loved to see his family and to receive postcards from them, Fr Gonoude said.

Monsignor Woods remained an avid reader and kept a watchful eye on Vatican and world affairs. He held in the highest esteem “our own Fr Stephen Kelly who now serves in the Diplomatic Service to the Holy See” and was delighted the many times Fr Stephen visited him, Fr Gonoude said.

“At the end of his life, he was so full of peace and joy, we thank Newbrook and his family for that,” he added.

“May this servant and Priest be crowned with eternal life. Amen,” Fr Gonoude concluded.

Monsignor Woods passed away peacefully on Sunday June 26, at Newbrook Lodge. He is sadly missed by his brother Robert (Canada), sister-in-law Marie, nieces Deborah and Vivienne, nephew Gregory, grandnieces, grandnephews and great-grandnephew, Bishop Deenihan, Bishop Smith and his fellow priests of the Diocese of Meath.

Following Requiem Mass, he was laid to rest in Ballyglass cemetery.