Society of African Missions Irish Province

1967 – 1968 Higher Diploma in Education, UCC, Cork, Ireland

1968 – 1991 Archdiocese of Kaduna, Nigeria

1991 – 1996 Kano Missio Sui Iuris, Nigeria

1996 – 2000 Vicariate / Diocese of Kano, Nigeria

2000 – 2001 Sabbatical Programme, Ireland

2001 – 2014 Prefecture / Vicariate of Kontagora, Nigeria

2015 – 2016 SMA House, Blackrock Road, Cork, Ireland

2016 – 2018 Vicariate of Kontagora, Nigeria

2018 Retired, SMA House, Blackrock Road, Cork, Ireland

Fr Michael was in failing health for the past few years. He died peacefully in the SMA House,
African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork, on 5 November 2024, aged 83 years.

Below is the text of the homily preached by Fr Colm O Shea SMA at the requiem Mass for Fr Michael Waters.  

1966 was a memorable and significant year in the life of Michael Waters.  On the first Sunday of September 1966 Michael was on the winning Cork All-Ireland team. Then on December 19 he was ordained a priest at Newry Cathedral. Two big events for Michael and the Waters’ family.

                  On that day in December two other Ballinlough men were ordained along with Michael. One of those was Lee Cahill, and the other the late Fionnbarra O Cullinane. Another man Sean P Healy from Ballintemple was that class too. To have three men ordained on the same day and from the same parish would have been considered, back then, a rare or unique happening: definitely unique in the SMA.

Ballinlough and Blackrock parishes proved to be fertile territory for vocations to the priesthood and religious life in general but especially where the SMA are concerned. The proximity of the African Missions on the Blackrock Road may have had something to do with it. In Michael’s case the seeds were sown in the family home in Ballinlough. His father, Christy, attended the SMA secondary school in Ballinafad, Co Mayo. And of course, there was Michael’s uncle, Fr Con O’Driscoll, SMA, who served in Nigeria. Fr Con passed on the baton to Michael.

Michael’s departure for Nigeria was delayed due to the Biafran civil war. It was in 1968 that he set foot on Nigerian soil for the first time. It marked the beginning of a long and happy and uninterrupted missionary career that lasted 47 years.

Michael’s first years were spent teaching in a mission secondary school, St Mary’s Boys Secondary School, Fadan Kaje. It was situated in a rural area of Kaduna State. It afforded the opportunity for young lads, who otherwise would not have had the opportunity, to receive an education.  It excelled in academic and sporting achievements. Many of its pupils went on to successful careers in public, political and sporting sectors. The St Louis Sisters had a school for girls nearby.

During Mick’s years in Fadan Kaje, the principal was his good friend, Fr Johnny Haverty from Galway. Another man on the staff was Fr Paddy Mackle from Derry. A lasting friendship developed. Johnny and Paddy predeceased Mick but now they are complete again, reunited in that heavenly place where there is no more sickness, no more sadness. Come Friday afternoons and Mick was up on his bike and off to one the villages for the weekend. I don’t know how many years he was teaching but it came as no surprise when he retired from teaching and went full-time into parish work. That is where his heart was.

He worked in a number of dioceses in Northern Nigeria, never in the urban areas, always in the rural areas. He was a man of principle and fearlessly championed the cause of the poor, under privileged, the neglected members of society.  He was fluent in the Hausa language and could converse in some of the other local dialects. He endeared himself to the people by his simple lifestyle, his empathy, his concern and compassion for people. Many of these places lacked educational and health facilities. He would put all his energy into trying to rectify the situation.

If one could accuse Mick Waters of being extravagant it would be his passion and zeal for justice and equality for the marginalised. He was a man of great faith in God and would have been motivated by the words from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed; to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to the prisoners.”

In fighting for the rights of the under privileged he at times rode his luck and ran foul of the authorities. But it did not deter him. On and off the pitch Michael Waters knew no half measures.

There was one young man who was growing up in one of the parishes Mick served in. Mick made a big impression on him so much so that today Fr Sabo Yakubu Salisu is an SMA priest ministering in Angola.  Fr Sabo is the first priest from the Magasawa people to be ordained priest. Mick has passed on the baton to Fr Sabo. I know that Fr Sabo is mourning the loss of his great mentor along with so many others.

Mick was a very happy and contended missionary. He was a great character and a good friend. He was good company, had a great sense of humour and enjoyed socialising.  He enjoyed his visits home on holidays, meeting up with family and friends, going to games while at home. But after a few weeks he would get restless; anxious to return to his mission. There was one time when pressure was put on him to take an extended break. He reluctantly agreed and signed up for some course. But it didn’t last long. After a few weeks it was a case of ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here.’

Michael suffered a serious setback to his health some years ago when he was diagnosed with a condition called Billharsia. This affected his walking and his balance. It was a serious blow to a person who was so naturally fit, strong and agile. It slowed him down physically but did not dampen his enthusiasm for the missions. He continued with his work, and I believe he would still be in Nigeria today only for falling victim to dementia a few years ago.

These past few years have been tough, especially for you his family and friends, as his health deteriorated. At least you had the consolation that he was nearby, and you were able to visit him. He was well looked after and got excellent care from the nursing and caring staff in St Theresa’s unit in Blackrock Road. Mick fought the good fight to the end; many is the battle he fought. He ran the race to the finish; many a race he competed in. He kept the faith to the end. The time of his departure came on Tuesday morning.

Tuesday 5 November 2024 will go down as another significant day in the life of Michael Waters.    He will be dearly missed; we remember the good times, the happy times and there were many of them. So much to be grateful to God for.

I believe that on Tuesday morning when he departed this life, he was greeted at the other side by the words of the Gospel,

“Come you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world.”

Until we meet again, Mick, rest in peace.

Colum O’Shea, SMA.         7 November 2024.