Popular Lurgan priest has passed away

Fr McAlinden, who was 51, had been a very popular figure in the St Anthony’s Parish and throughout Lurgan.

Fr Martin was ordained on June 24 in St Peter’s Church and has been a curate at a number of parishes, including Newry, Saval, Drumgath, Tullylist and Seaptrick.

He became Parish Priest in Moyraverty in 2004 and remained there until 2012.

Then he was appointed as Parish Priest of Dromore where he stayed for two years.

Subsequently he was appointed to the staff of St Patrick’s College Maynooth in 2014.

He is deeply mourned by his parents Mary and Barney, his sister Linda, his neices and nephew and the entire parish as well has his many friends.

His remains will be returning to his parent’s home this evening.

However mourners are asked to go to a special service in St Anthony’s Church on Tuesday night where Fr Martin’s remains will be reposing.

As well as a special Mass at 7.30pm there will be an all night vigil arranged by the parishioners of Moyraverty.

Fr. Martin’s remains will leave St Anthony’s at 12.15pm on Wednesday, June 15, arriving at St Peter’s Church, Lurgan for Requiem Mass at 1.00pm.

Burial in Lylo Cemetery, Craigavon.

Monsignor Hugh Connolly of Maynooth said: “Fr Martin McAlinden has departed this life after an extraordinarily courageous and inspiring struggle with terminal illness.

“Despite being a member of the Maynooth faculty for a comparatively short time he has made an enormous contribution to the Pontifical University and National Seminary as Director of Pastoral Training.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his grieving family, brother priests in the Diocese of Dromore, and all his colleagues and students here in Maynooth. May almighty God grant eternal life to Fr. Martin and may he grant comfort and consolation to all the bereaved. May he rest in Peace.”