Daniel – God be my judge,
God guides me, God loves me. Amen!
Brother Daniel Conaghan died on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Nazareth Home, Louisville.
Dan was the child of Irish immigrants John Conaghan and Grace Curran Conaghan. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on May 16, 1940. He is survived by his sister Mary Ryan (+John), Patricia Gorman (+Jim) and Charles (+Frannie). He is predeceased by brothers James and John (+Jane), and sister Bridget O’Sullivan (+Bill). Loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
You were created by the God of love
in His image and according to His likeness,
to be a unique expression of that love.
Xaverian Fundamental Principles
He first met the Xaverian Brothers as a student at Saint Teresa’s parish in Brooklyn. He attended Saint Francis Prep with the Brooklyn Franciscan Brothers. By God’s grace, Dan chose to enter the Xaverian Brothers in July 1957. He received his habit and religious name – Brother Rian. For many years he attended St. Teresa parish reunions. This year we gratefully acknowledge his sixty-seventh anniversary as a Xaverian Brother.
Brother Daniel was man of faith, strengthened by an abiding spiritual prayer life and consistent humble service through teaching, coaching, tutoring, and patient works of mercy to Brothers, students, family, and friends.
Brother Daniel lived and shared the Xaverian charism on three continents, as Brother, classroom teacher, mentor, and friend.
It is through your life of gospel witness
lived in common with your brothers
that God desires to manifest
His care and compassionate love
to those who are separated and estranged,
not only from their neighbors,
but also from their own uniqueness;
to those who suffer
from want, neglect, and injustice:
the poor, the weak, and the oppressed
of this world.
Xaverian Fundamental Principles
He particularly reached out to the marginalized student–the shy, the struggling, isolated young man who found in Dan a listening and accepting adult presence in every mission he served.
From 1963-74, at Flaget High School, he served as teacher and coach. As a work in progress, Dan was a quick obedient learner when assigned to coach a struggling wrestling team. He succeeded in mentoring a younger Brother Mike McCarthy to help him. Despite his own shyness, Dan moderated SAC, socials, intramurals, and student government.
A neighborhood boy recalls that in the evening, Brother Dan’s first floor classroom would slowly fill up with students and neighborhood kids wanting to hang out with this understanding Brother. The visitors would climb in the street level windows to feel included.
When Flaget closed, Brother Daniel accepted an assignment to teach at St. Xavier High School from 1974-1978 as a math teacher and coach. Years later he returned to St. X as volunteer tutor and friend to many students, faculty, and Brothers.
In the years 1978-86, Brother Daniel found his way to Mount Saint Joseph High School, Baltimore. He served there as teacher and CFO for the school.
And then came the call to the foreign missions and Dan readily answered.
Go, then, to all peoples everywhere,
and make them my disciples.
These words of the gospel
stand at the heart of the vision
of your Founder.
Within them is contained
the mission and the ministry
of your congregation.
Xaverian Fundamental Principles
In Bolivia from 1986-97, besides living and helping in the formation community, Brother Daniel volunteered at several places helping the growing population of ‘street kids’ in Cochabamba. He was a natural—with his calm, non-judgmental approach. Today Bolivians revere him to be a friend, mentor, and brother.
Brother Dan had a well-deserved Sabbatical year in 1998 to refresh and renew himself.
From 1999- 2007, Brother Daniel accepted assignment to Kenya. Before Brother Daniel arrived there, the then Bishop of Bungoma viewed him as a “Great Treasure”; the bishop drove himself up to Lodwar to alert Brother Louis to Dan’s positive qualities. Kenyans saw in him an advocate and friend and his fellow Americans revered him as a great, humble and generous Brother.
When Dan arrived in Lodwar, he fit right in and needed little or no time to find his stride. Dan taught Math and Computer Science according to the Kenyan Ministry of Education Syllabus.
Once again Brother Dan attracted the needy student. Dan worked with the students to help provide them with the necessities they would need to succeed in school – never giving money – he provided students such necessities as pens, pencils, notebooks, textbooks, review texts, assisted some with rents by getting the students, without rooms to bunk four to a nearby room and giving each group a subsidy. Over a hundred students were helped through his assistance.
He also helped provide subsidies and medical aid. Through donations, Brother Dan also helped the street children at the Ryken Center for Hope, especially with school fees.
The Kenyans revere Brother Dan as “good water” in a land of deserts. During his last years in Kenya, he taught in Nairobi and aided with the formation program for young Brothers.
2004 saw his return to Louisville to live with Brothers at Ryken House, Louisville. 2004 saw his return to Louisville to live with Brothers at Ryken House. Brother Dan experienced not only the constant support of his fellow Xaverians and Associates, but a continuous stream of Flaget and St. X former students and faculty members accompanying him on his journey with deep affection and support for all he is for them even as they age.
Gradually,
you will realize
that the cost of your discipleship
is your very life,
freely consecrated to God
in poverty, celibacy, and obedience,
and offered to the world
as a sign of His love and care.
The gift you have receive give as a gift.
Xaverian Fundamental Principles
Soon Brother Dan was diagnosed with Parkinson disease. Initially, he embraced it as a challenge he could wrestle with through walking, boxing, exercising, and available medications. He fought the good fight, he kept embracing life with help from fellow Xaverians, family, and friends. Eventually memory loss and difficulty swallowing challenged Brother Dan’s interactions. He was relocated to Nazareth Home – Highlands for care.
The presence and support of his Conaghan family has been an inspiring witness to the love and bond they have shared with one another throughout his life. Through the years Dan visited them and travelled to their beloved Ireland on several occasions. In these years, his relatives have made many trips to Louisville to be with their dear brother Danny.
My own experience with Brother Daniel Conaghan was an encounter with goodness, faith, and love on two feet. His engaging smile and gentleness made for a safe and supportive welcoming friendship. And from what has been shared, Brothers, Associates, family, students, colleagues, and friends experienced the same through this loving man.
The Congregation treasures the memory and life of this beloved Xaverian. We are most grateful to our nurse Nancy Zeman, and the staff of Treyton Oak Towers and Nazareth Home for their loving care of Brother Daniel Conaghan. May he rest in peace. Amen
Prepared by Brother Kenney Gorman, CFX
Wake and Funeral Arrangements
Monday, September 30, 2024
St. Xavier High School Goetz Chapel
Viewing at 10am
Funeral Mass at 11:30am
with burial to follow at Xaverian Brothers cemetery on the campus of St. Xavier HS.
You can access the funeral livestream here.
Brother Daniel picked me from the Streets of Bungoma in 1999,Kenya and send me to School. He gave me life to be the person I am today. May his Soul rest in peace.
I worked with Br.Dan in Nairobi,he assisted me with Math while at the University.Rest in eternal peace
I particularly attest all the right words that have been used to describe Brother Dan,I first met in the Bungoma streets feeding the street children back in 1999 and his easiness with everyone and everything attracted people to him. He was a Brother of less words and more actions. He was among the first Brothers to resume the Kenyan Misson. May the Good Lord receive his soul in eternal peace, Amen.
I met Brother Dan as Sophomore at MSJ where his Accounting Office was constantly filled with students during time off mods who just loved hanging out with him. After six months of encouragement, I finally joined him at a Sunday night prayer group at Resurrection Parish in Ellicott City and my life was changed forever. We became great friends along with his nephew Jim Gorman. Throughout my Jr. and Sr. years, we had a group of a dozen guys that hung out with Brother Dan and it was like being an apostle, learning about how to practically engage Jesus and practice the discipline in our lives with humor, of course. Over the years the Conaghans and O’Donnell families became great friends as well but the real punchline is that I meet my wife, Anita, at Heathrow Airport only because I visited Brother Dan in Nairobi. Like many people, we named our son Daniel in honor of the good Brother. We never really know what people will remember us for when we leave this earth but I will say this, “Brother Dan was the closet I have come to experiencing Jesus in the flesh than any other person” That is one hell of an accomplishment!
Brother Daniel Conaghan was a man of compassion and great love for everyone. His coming to Kenya was a blessing to me and many others. As a student in St. Kevin’s Secondary School, Lodwar, he was not only my Mathematics and Computer Science teacher but supported me to complete my school by provision of school fees and learning materials as my parents were not in a position to raise a yearly fee of 50 dollars. Brother Daniel saw me through college as well.
Brother Daniel in my opinion (and that of many others in St.Kevin’s) is a saint. A man who lived the true meaning of his calling. He is a true example of a perfect role model, and his deeds and memories are forever inscribed in my heart. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
A great scholar and kind hearted man, who was keen to serve the most vulnerable and bright students to achieve their dreams. Can’t just forget the algebra lessons he taught me from Form 1 to Form 3 in St. Kevin’s. He is the reason I do great things in life. May God give him peace
I remember that window. That I where I met Brother Ryan. I am not sure , I was in the six grade.
To Brother Dan’s Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Brother Dan was a great person. I had him as a Freshman Algebra teacher and he also coached me in wrestling. He was a great teacher and coach, who thought me so much more about life. Brother Dan will be missed. May the many wonderful memories of Brother Dan comfort you during this difficult time. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Keith and Tammy Bube
Brother Daniel taught me freshman year algebra in 2013 and also tutored me throughout my time at Saint Xavier. Anytime I needed extra help he would always have me text him and he would meet me on-campus and explained the material very well. He will be missed.
I eulogize bro. Dan as someone who was God sent to Tutkana Land. Besides Mathematics and computer science he taught me, he supported me with the basic needs e.g. kerosene for lighting at night during my studies and some other many stuffs that I needed by that time.
Therefore, I have lost a mentor, a teacher and a friend who taught me that no matter the humble background you came from, education is the only equalizer to life.
I will live to remember the sacrifice he gave for many of us to be who we are today.
May his Saul rest in eternal peace
Oh rest in peace great man and our Saint. Though we can’t see each other’s forever our hearts can’t forget what you did for us at St Kevin’s secondary school lodwar. Your great smile and affection to all of us cannot be forgotten. You treated us like your biological children and put smiles on our faces. No amount of words can describe your generosity. Dance with angels brother dan
In Bro. Daniel I found a second father who listened and gave me hope. When the future seemed very bleak, with no hope of continuing with my high school education, in Lodwar, Turkana in Kenya, Our Lord brought Bro. Daniel into my life. He was a God’s Angel to very many. Till we meet again in heaven Bro. Daniel
Brother Dan assisted Mr. Bergamini in my freshman algebra class. He was a great instructor. He was funny, and he helped us master various concepts that we had trouble with. I really appreciated his patience and grace with me. I always enjoyed seeing him occasionally in the halls throughout my time at STX. May he rest in peace.
When Brother Dan was at St. Kevin’s in Lodwar, Kenya he was known to many students by the nickname: “Maji Mazuri” (Good Water). He opened doors, was a ceaseless defender and advocate for the improverished and poor.He sought out those who needed help on any kind and found solutions. He sent a you female student to Nairobi for chemo and radiation treatments for her throat cancer; had a programme of rent subsidy for students far from home, developed a programme for supper-time meals for students and even provided the same students with their own serving of a fish every Friday. When he later traveled to Nairobi, he was a constant advocate for the young Brothers in early Formation and counseled and encouraged many of the young to persevere and “Never Give Up!” In community he was an ideal Community Man – he was a Brother and one hell of SAINT!!!
In our journey of life, we meet individuals who are placed on our path to uplift, support and bring out the best of us, the way we are intended to exist on this earth. Individuals who see our utmost capacities as humans and stop at nothing to help us achieve our utmost goals. I met such a person in Br. Dan Conaghan CFX when the team of formators came to Musikoma (Bungoma, Kenya) in 1999.
Over the years, I experienced an understanding, gracious, humble, holy, funny and whole brother, with whom we shared many experiences through religious life. His, indeed, is a life well lived.
May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace.
There is no sound on the Youtube Live event.
Thank you. We now have sound. Be blessed.