Beloved by many, Msgr. Hogan passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at the age of 100 years. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Louise (nee Madigan); sisters and brothers-in-law, Louise (Anthony) Stembridge, Mary (Connie) Fogarty, Kathleen (Michael) Flanagan, Eva (Michael) Casey, and brother in infancy, Patrick. Msgr. Hogan is survived by his nieces and nephews in Ireland and Canada. He was born on October 19, 1919 in Limerick, Ireland, the second in his family.
He completed his studies at Mungret College, Limerick. While at school, he had met Archbishop Monahan of Regina, SK, who had been visiting Ireland. Msgr. Hogan (or Fr. Mike, to those who knew him well) loved to tell how the Archbishop warned him that Saskatchewan could be difficult; sometimes, he cautioned, a priest might get his car stuck in the winter snow or the muddy country roads while driving to serve parishioners. Fr. Mike would joke that all he heard the Archbishop say was the word “car,” and he was hooked. Young priests in Ireland at the time were issued a bicycle—never a car. He arrived in Regina in August 1939, just at the outbreak of WWII. His passenger ship had been in a convoy that included the Athenia, directly behind. He witnessed as it became a casualty of war, with the loss of 1103 lives. A man of deep faith, he marvelled at the fragility and value of life, and he carried that respect with him in all his relationships.
Fr. Hogan’s life as a priest touched people in many communities, where he was a thoughtful and dedicated leader. He studied at the Regina Cleri Seminary and was ordained on June 13, 1943 at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina, SK. He first served as a curate at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Regina, from 1943‒1947. His first assignment as pastor (1948–1959) took him to Kenaston, SK, where he built St. Andrews Church. From 1959–1968 he established Holy Cross Parish in Regina. He continued his ministry to serve faithfully at St. John the Baptist, Estevan, SK (1968–1971). He returned to Regina in 1971, and remained there until his passing. In Regina, he served at Christ the King, (1971–1980), St. Cecilia (1980–1989), and St. Martin de Porres (1989–1993). After his retirement as parish priest, he provided Sunday ministry at Regina Pioneer Village and the Pasqua Hospital.
Fr. Hogan was Vicar General from February 1975 until November 1993. In April 1994, after the death of Archbishop Charles Halpin, the College of Consultors elected Msgr. Hogan to be Diocesan Administrator. He held that position until July 1995, with the installation of the Most Reverend Peter Mallon as Archbishop.
Over the course of 77 years of priesthood, his accomplishments only hint at the depth of our Fr. Mike. Thousands were touched by his devotion and humanity. He was also a key member of our family in Canada. Many years ago, his cousin, Marie Nolan, came from Ireland to visit him in Kenaston, SK. She stayed in Saskatchewan, and met Walter Luchenski. They married, and began a family that loved him deeply and knew him well. He was our cousin, confidante, and dear friend. Since childhood, I (Tekla Luchenski) called him my Buddy-in-law, and we were close forever. We moved around as a family, so we would keep in touch with letters. I was always the designated letter reader in our family, since I was the only person who could read his writing. He married Walter and Marie, and was an important spiritual and personal support for them. In time, he buried them. He baptized and married us, their four children. When we started families, he baptized our children too. In between sacraments, he was always an anchor in our family. No celebration was complete without him. We spent many summers growing up visiting him at his rectory, wherever he was. He taught us chess, with his “special” rules. We had animated discussions about our faith, and he would always respond thoughtfully, and candidly, challenging us in return. We teased him with childish pranks, and laughed at his antics. We shared him with a community we couldn’t fathom, but he was always our Fr. Mike.
Nephew Gerard Stembridge (Dublin, Ireland), sent words of condolence to his Canadian family that captured Msgr. Hogan’s character. He wrote, “It was truly a remarkable life and Fr. Michael, as we called him in Ireland, was a significant advertisement for the virtues of a life full of riches but lived in moderation. I remember his visits to Ireland and how impressed I always was with the considerable range of his intelligence and yet how lightly he wore it. His interests and knowledge were wide and he knew how to talk to anyone, anywhere. He had a keen wit which he balanced with a gentle manner. He ate with delight, but only just enough. He enjoyed a drink but only on occasion. Even when he walked… [it was] easy and relaxed; he strolled, never anxious or hurried, and yet he was always on time. He enjoyed visiting friends and relatives but never outstayed his welcome. I particularly enjoyed how he would announce his departure politely and then leave immediately—so unlike the Irish style of saying goodbye, but lingering, of almost leaving, then lingering again, ‘and just one more thing…’. I have no doubt that at some point yesterday he said to himself, ‘It is time to leave,’ and he went.”
Ireland was always in Msgr. Hogan’s heart, and he returned regularly to visit his family. When the covid-19 crisis is over, he will find his final resting place in Limerick, together with his parents. Still, Saskatchewan was also his home. He said, “Regina is a marvelous place to live. Within 15 minutes, you can be almost anywhere. You have all the amenities you need for a big city and the people are just delightful. What more can you ask for?”
His was a life to be cherished, remembered, celebrated, and emulated.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Daughters of Mary Mother of the Church, who cared for Msgr. Hogan at Martha House and then at Trinity Manor. Sr. Jessica was especially kind to him, and to his family. May God continue to bless them in their work, and to bless us with them. Donations in Msgr. Hogan’s memory may be made to the Education of Priests Fund, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, 445 Broad Street North, Regina, SK S4R 2X8.
“When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.”
(William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)
Due to the covid-19 restrictions, a Private Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends may reach out to the Hogan family by visiting Msgr. Hogan’s Tribute Page at www.speersfuneralchapel.com to let them know that you are thinking of them during this difficult time. To view the livestream of the service, please click on the link at the top of Rev. Msgr. Michael Hogan’s Tribute Page.