Michael Maher was born in
Bellshill, Lanarkshire, on 30 September 1912.
he received his early schooling in Holy family
Primary School, Mossend, St Francis Xavier’s,
Carfin and Motherwell Higher Grade (now Our Lady’s
High School), before beginning his studies for
the priesthood at Blairs College, Aberdeen. In
1932 he entered the major seminary of St Peter’s
College, Bearsden but before long he felt that
his vocation was to the contemplative life rather
than the secular priesthood. Accordingly, in the
summer of 1933, he entered the Cistercian Monastery
at Mount Melleray in Ireland, where he completed
his studies for the priesthood and was ordained
in December 1939.
For several years it seemed that
Michael had found his true vocation in the monastic
life, and he entered wholeheartedly into the life
of prayer, work and study at Mount Melleray. He
found a special joy in the opportunities which
the monastic life offered for full participation
in the liturgy, and during his years in the monastery
his love of the liturgy increased immensely. This
love remained with him to the end, and became
a source of inspiration to many.
“Man proposes, but God
disposes”. Some years after ordination,
it became clear to Michael’s superiors that
the austerities of the Cistercian life were seriously
affecting his health, and it was decided that
it would be advisable for him to return to Scotland
and take up parochial duties for a time. Accordingly,
in 1950, he was appointed to a temporary curacy
at St Brigid’s, Newmains, and was later
transferred to St Charles’, Newton. In his
new sphere of priestly activity his health gradually
improved and, after consultation with his monastic
superiors and the bishop of Motherwell, it was
decided that he should remain in parochial work
in the diocese.
From 1957 until 1965 he served
in St Augustine’s, Coatbridge. The zeal
with which he threw himself into all parochial
activities, the sympathy he showed to all under
his care, and the happiness he found in all his
priestly duties made it clear that this indeed
was the work for which God had been preparing
him.
In St Augustine’s, and
later in St Ignatius’, Wishaw, and St Bride’s,
Cambuslang, his priestly enthusiasm, his cheerfulness,
his patience and his sheer goodness won the admiration,
respect and affection of all who knew him.
Through his devoted visitation
of the schools and his lively interest in all
school activities he became a well known and well
loved figure to all the children, while his sympathetic
care of the sick, and his readiness to help all
in trouble, brought consolation and new hope to
many.
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