Rev. Fr. Jerry ROCHE

To the Roche Family
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of your brother Rev. Gerry Roche. May he rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to the Roche family on the death of Fr Jerry. He will always be remembered for his wonderful missionary work and no doubt will be a huge loss to his family, friends and church.
Josephine (O'Connor) Browne, Athea & Limerick.

I was shocked to know of the sad death off Fr Jerry
R I P

To the Family of Fr. Roche:
Please accept my condolences and my prayers at this time of grief and loss.
Brigid O'Brien

Very very sorry to hear of such a tragic death of Fr Jerry Roche, he seemed to be such a nice man. Our sympathies to all the Cunninghams and extended Roche family at this very difficult time. Unfortunately we cannot make it to Athea this weekend. We'd love to be there to sympathise in person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you

Love Thomas, Nuala, Aislinn & Niamh

I wish to express our condolences on the death of a wonderful man and priest.

Sincere sympathy on the death of your beloved brother, brother-in-law, uncle. Speaking to Sisters in Kenya and the US who knew Jerry, I know that this world is the poorer for his having died. I can not even begin to imagine what it is like for all of you. Having a beloved brother die in this way seems to me to be at the outside limits of what the human spirit can endure. I pray that you will have the strength, the courage and the support to endure this great tragedy.
My special prayers love and support go to Nora - whom I know loved Jerry dearly - Hannah - whom I knew many years ago - and niece Anne Cunningham. May each of you know the strength and support of Jerry's spirit with you as you walk through these days, and may his attitudes, approaches and ways of looking at things help you to contain and live through the devastation of these days. Blessings and prayers at this most difficult of times.

My husband and I got to know Fr. Jerry during his time at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Riverside; in the Diocese of San Bernardino, USA. I have a few vivid recollections of Fr. Jerry, his committment to peace and justice, and the joy he found in life.

In one of Fr. Jerry's early homilies at St. Cats, he commented on how we have entire ailes dedicated to shampoo and asked if that was really necessary; was that the best use of resources. That comment has always stuck with me and since then I have always though about Fr. Jerry and those places in the world where people are going hungry everytime I go to a store and get annoyed that I don't find exactly what I want.

I also recall Fr. Jerry playing his accordian and doing his "party bit" at parish events. I worked with the RCIA process as adapted for children and teens, and it was a joy to see him interact with the young folks. It was nice for the kids to have a priest that was so approachable.

When Fr. Jerry's death was announced at Mass on Sunday (dec 13) there was an audible gasp from the assembly. The parish community of St. Catherine of Alexandria is holding Fr. Jerry, his family, and friends in prayer.

On behalf of the people of my parish and myself, I extend our deepest sympathy to the family and confrères of the late Fr Jeremiah, who died in the service of the Gospel.

Fond memories of an old school friend. Jerry, may you rest in the peace you so richly deserve. My deepest sympathy to the Roche family.