We Remember
MULVIHILL, Monsignor Charles Patrick
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Born on July 21, 1932 in Galway City, Co. Galway, Ireland, Monsignor Charles Patrick Mulvihill died peacefully on Tuesday, August 16 in Kelowna B.C. at the age of 84 at Kelowna General Hospital.
Father Charlie studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s College, Carlow and was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest at Carlow Cathedral in 1959. He then immigrated to Canada, spending his first year in Canada on loan to St. Anthony’s Parish in Edmonton before being moved to Kelowna in September of 1960 to serve as an assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish. For the next 42 years Fr. Charlie served the Nelson Diocese wherever called, including parishes in Creston, Nakusp, Warfield, Trail and Summerland, but he had a special love for Kelowna where he spent over 25 years as pastor at St. Pius X Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish. Father Charlie “retired” from active priesthood in 2002 but continued to help out the Nelson Diocese, often substituting for priests who were away from their parish.
Blessed with a deep love of the Lord, a healthy dollop of Irish Charm, of quiet wisdom and resolve, Fr. Charlie went about ministering to many individuals and families in the course of his service to the Nelson Diocese, creating lasting friendships and becoming an extended part of many families who knew him as a pastor, a friend and as the priest who presided over most of their family’s weddings, funerals, baptisms and first communions. Fr. Charlie was an active part of the community wherever he served and was fundamental in the formation of Rachel’s Vineyard, the Okanagan Irish Society, had a long involvement with the Kelowna Catholic Public School Board (as it was then known) and was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Along the way he was honored with the role of Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nelson, a Prelate of Honor and finally as a Monsignor. Even with all of that, he remained “Fr. Charlie” to the many people who knew and loved him.
As Fr. Charlie’s health declined and without family in Canada, many of the people that he ministered to over the years took a turn helping him out in a variety of ways and he was very grateful for this. Fr. Charlie was predeceased by his parents, sister and brothers. He is survived by his sister in law, Bridie, his nieces Marie, Breda, Mary and by his nephews JJ, Charlie, Patrick, Brian and cousins all of Ireland.
Prayers for Fr. Charlie will be on Tuesday, August 23 at 7 pm at Immaculate Conception Parish, 839 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna B.C. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Parish on Wednesday, August 24th at 10:00 am, with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Joseph Project’s Masterpiece Campaign, 3665 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna B.C, V1W 2M7 or online at www.kelownacatholic.org. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Prayer Service
Tuesday, August 23 at 7 pm
Service
Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, August 24th at 10:00 am
Location
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
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Service Information
Service Details
The prayer service for MULVIHILL, Monsignor Charles Patrick is scheduled for Tuesday, August 23 at 7 pm at located at 839 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC.
The service for MULVIHILL, Monsignor Charles Patrick is scheduled for Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, August 24th at 10:00 am. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
I would like to extend my Deepest Condolences to Father Charlies family members.It is with a great loss of Love that Father Charlie,left in All of our Hearts.He was so compassionate with me when I lost my son,and said a Beautiful Mass for him.He was always well loved and respected.Will always be missed.Will be attending your Prayer evening and Mass of your Burial.May He Rest In Peace.
I would like to extend my Deepest Condolences to Fr. Charlie’s family. My Mother was Grett Abberton (Grenham). I met Fr. Charlie when he said Mass for my uncle John’s birthday some years ago in Ireland. May He Rest In Peace.
His Irish smile and laughter is remembered along with the fishing tales he shared .
He leaves us with a smile and his blessing.
My favorite memory will always be Fr. Charlie and Fr. Jim Lynch taking off for their not-frequent-enough fishing trips. What great buddies they were and I can only imagine how happy Fr. Jim was to welcome you to Heaven! Thank you for your service on this earth Charlie… you are loved.
My deepest condolences to the family of Father Charlie, I hadn’t know Father for too long but I had the pleasure of meeting him this past year at Northwood Retirement home. He was a compassionate individual and I enjoyed our conversation over the months while I was there caring for my mother. He always asked how my mom was and was truly sincere with concern. May he rest in peace, sadly missed but never forgotten.
Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again, May God hold
you in the hollow of his hand
Angela & Bruce
Dear Fr. Charlie has been a light in the life of our family since 1971 when Karl and I and our four children small children first took up the front pew at St. Pius X. He was so gifted with Irish charm, humour, and true compassion for others. It was said to me that Karl was waiting for him in Heaven. It occurred to me that it was because Fr. Charlie was really in need of a haircut! May you enjoy the eternal reward of your goodness in the arms of our Lord.
Deepest sympathies on the death of Fr. Charlie Mulvihill. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his nieces and nephews, Bridie his sister in law and his many friends here in Ireland and in Canada. We will miss him but we know that he is with us in a different way. (He was always “Fr. Charlie ” to us despite his various roles within the Church and always will be). “NÍ beidh a leithéid ann arís” (We will not see someone like him again). R.I.P.