Fr Neal Carlin. Photo: Derry Journal Fr Neal Carlin is being remembered for leading people to God along “stepping stones” he laid throughout his long ministry.
Fr Carlin, of Fahan, Co. Donegal, died Friday, August 6, having established a number of institutions dedicated to spirituality and fighting addiction in his local region.
He set up the Columba Community, as well as the White Oaks addiction treatment and rehab centre on the Donegal/Derry border. As well as these, he founded the St Anthony’s Retreat Centre and the IOSAS Centre and Celtic Prayer Garden in Muff.
Fr Carlin ministered not only to the Faithful of Ireland, but to those in Scotland, too, serving in a number of parishes there before returning to Derry.
His funeral Mass was led by Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown at St Eugene’s Cathedral on Monday and was attended by family, friends and a number of priests.
Inishowen priest and friend of Fr Carlin’s, Fr Francis Bradley told those gathered, “Fr Neal laid stepping stones for others which would bring them along the roadways of life, a shlí na fírinne – on the way of truth – which takes us to heaven”.
Following the Mass, Fr Carlin was buried at St Mary’s Cemetery, Ardmore.