Father Ernest Larkin, O.Carm.

By: Rev. Kevin Shanley, O.Carm., and Br. David McGinnis, O.Carm.

The Very Reverend John Welch, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, joins his brother Carmelites in mourning the loss of Reverend Ernest Larkin, O.Carm., who died at the age of 84 on Thursday, October 26, 2006, at Hospice of the Valley Coronado Home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Father Larkin was laid in state at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, Phoenix, Arizona, on October 29, 2006. A Mass of Christian Burial took place at Saint Agnes on Monday October 30, 2006, at 10:00 am. The Very Reverend John Welch, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province, was the homilist. Internment immediately followed at Holy Cross Cemetery in Phoenix.

Eldon Larkin was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Clement and Helen (McKeown) Larkin on August 19, 1922. He entered Mount Carmel College, Niagara Falls, Ontario, as a high school seminarian, and graduated in June, 1939. He went to the Carmelite novitiate in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, made first profession of vows in 1940, and graduated from Mount Carmel College with a Ph.B. degree in June, 1943. He was ordained a priest, June 8, 1946, after his theological studies at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC, were completed. He did post-graduate work in English literature at Catholic University during the summers. Larkin completed his graduate studies in theology at the “Angelicum” (Saint Thomas University), Rome, and was awarded the S.T.D. in 1954.

Father Larkin was assigned to Whitefriars Hall, in Washington, DC, the major seminary of the Order where he served as teacher, spiritual director and, eventually, master of students from 1951 to 1959. During this period, Father Larkin also gave retreats and taught scripture and theology during the summers at Corpus Christi, Texas, and Saint Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota. He also served as director of the Lay Carmelites there.

In 1959, Father Larkin was appointed lecturer of ascetical and mystical theology at the Catholic University of America where he continued as assistant and then associate professor until his resignation in 1971. During this period, he also taught in the M.A. program for novice mistresses at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, and gave his first paper to the Catholic Theological Society of America, “The Role of Creatures in the Spiritual Life” (1962). At this same time he was consulting editor in the asceticalmystical area for the New Catholic Encyclopedia in which several of his articles were published.

During his tenure at Catholic University, Father Larkin gave addresses at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Vanderbilt University and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in Mundelein, Illinois. He spoke at several meetings of the Canon Law Society of America as well as at the Sister Formation Conference. Numerous articles were published in a wide range of periodicals during this period. He was active within his own Carmelite Community, serving on the provincial council from 1966-1972, with social responsibilities in the area of spiritual life. He was elected a delegate to the General Chapter of the Order in Rome in 1965, 1968, 1971 and 1983.

In June of 1970, Father Ernest Larkin was invited by the first Bishop of Phoenix, Arizona, Edward A. McCarthy, to be Theologian-in- Residence in the newly created diocese. In 1972, Father Larkin cofounded Kino Institute which was established as the Phoenix diocesan school of adult religious education for clergy, religious and laity. He was the first president, and helped frame the Institute’s goals and purposes. The enrollment grew to 1,780 students within two years time.

During the 1970’s, Father Larkin gave many retreats and workshops throughout the country and abroad including the Far East. Several of Father Ernie’s papers were published during this period, and the ground breaking book, “Spiritual Renewal of the American Priesthood,” commissioned by the Bishops’ Conference was published in 1973. Larkin was coeditor and wrote the final draft. This book became ‘required reading’ for every priest in the United States as directed by the Bishops’ Conference.

In the 1980’s, Larkin’s ministry included renewal programs at Notre Dame for Retreats International and the Continuing Education Program for Clergy as well as ongoing formation programs for Carmelites in Rome. He relocated to Chicago in 1981, and from there spent the next six years teaching, preaching and writing. He was consultant for the spirituality section of the International Review Concilium, and for the Center for Human Development in Washington, DC.

In 1982, Larkin was a founding member of the Carmelite Forum, a group of scholars engaged in studying and promoting Carmelite Spirituality.

In 1987, Father Larkin returned to Phoenix as a ‘retired Carmelite.’ His activities continued to be centered on retreats, teaching, conducting workshops and lectures at home and abroad. His recent professional travels brought him to Rome, Ireland and Zimbabwe. Father Larkin continued to write and publish, maintaining his office at Kino Institute where he taught classes in spirituality and integrative seminars required for advanced certification.

On the 25th anniversary of the Phoenix Diocese, Father Larkin was one of the twenty-five to be honored with the Diocesan Ministry Award (1994), and received first prize from the Catholic Press Association in the category of articles on spirituality for his paper, “Jubilee Spirituality,” published in Spiritual Life, (Spring, 1999).

Father Ernest Larkin, O.Carm., had been the spiritual director and animator for the Cornerstone Center in Phoenix since its inauguration five years ago. He conducted classes and workshops on contemplative prayer, and led groups of laity and clergy in the practice of Christian Meditation.

May he rest in peace.

Father Robert Coleman Flaherty, O.Carm.

The Order of Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary mourns the loss of Reverend Robert Coleman Flaherty, O.Carm., who died at the age of 89 on September 28, 2006, at Edwards Hospital in Naperville, Illinois.

Visitation for Father Flaherty was held at the Chapel of Carmelite Carefree Village in Darien, Illinois, on October 2. He was also waked at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, in Darien, on October 3, prior to a Mass of Christian Burial that immediately followed. The Very Reverend John Welch, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province, presided. Reverend Kevin Shanley, O.Carm., was the homilist. In Quincy, Massachusetts, a visitation took place at Holy Trinity Parish at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, on Friday, October 6. A Mass of the Resurrection followed the visitation. Internment was at Pine Hill Cemetery in Quincy.

Robert Flaherty was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, on August 22, 1917. He attended both elementary and secondary schools there, attending Saint John the Baptist Grade School, Central Junior and Quincy High School. He also attended Saint Philip Neri preparation school in Boston, Massachusetts.

Following preparatory school Robert Flaherty joined the Holy Cross Fathers and attended Our Lady of the Holy Cross seminary in North Easton, Massachusetts. After two years there, he entered Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

He professed his simple vows at the Carmelite novitiate house in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania on August 15, 1943. He professed solemn vows at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC, on September 29, 1946.

Father Robert Flaherty, O.Carm., was ordained a priest on June 7, 1947, at Saint Simon Stock Church in the Bronx, New York. After ordination, Father Flaherty began his career as a Carmelite priest at the Carmelite Junior Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts. While in Hamilton, Father Flaherty served as vocation director for six years until 1954. Moving back to New Baltimore, Father Flaherty was assigned to the Carmelite novitiate house as assistant novice master and later house prior. In 1968, he moved from Pennsylvania, to Washington, DC, where he served as house treasurer at Whitefriars Hall. He held this position for two years before moving back to New Baltimore and becoming the pastor of John the Baptist church, where he served for eight years. He also served in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at Saint Leo’s Church. At Saint Leo’s, Father Flaherty served first as assistant pastor and prior. In 1981 he was named pastor.

During his time in Pittsburgh, Father Robert conducted many retreats for the Sisters of Mary Immaculate and the Sisters of Charity located in Greensburg. Father Quinn Conners, O.Carm., who was Provincial of the Order during his association with Father Robert remembers him as, “a very personable and wonderful guy. He had great respect for everyone he encountered, especially the young student Carmelites. His great human touch was ahead of his time.”

When Saint Leo’s Parish was merged, Father Robert was assigned to the Provincial House in Barrington, Illinois, where he served as house treasurer until his retirement.

Upon retirement, Father Robert first resided at Carmelite Carefree Village in Darien, Illinois, and then Saint Patrick’s Residence in Naperville.

May he rest in peace.