Paul KeenanBestselling author donates proceeds
The Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin has received a cheque for €100,000 from the author of a book on the famed Capuchin St Pio of Pietrelcina.
Colm Keane, author of Padre Pio: Scent of Roses, decided to donate all current and future proceeds of his latest book after he and his wife, RTÉ’s Una O’Hagan, visited the centre to see first-hand the work that is done there on behalf of the homeless and vulnerable.
“Of all the institutions you can find in Ireland, there is literally none to beat Br Kevin and the day centre,” Keane told The Irish Catholic this week following the presentation of the cheque.
Lamenting the fact that “we need charities such as the Capuchin Day Centre today”, Keane said he was delighted the good work it did would be helped in an indirect way by Padre Pio. He stressed that all proceeds of the book, which details the impact of Padre Pio on Irish people, will continue to go to the centre.
Speaking to this newspaper, day centre founder Br Kevin Crowley expressed heartfelt thanks for the generous donation towards the annual €2.2 million running cost of the centre.
“I am so grateful to Colm and Una,” he said. “It makes a huge difference towards the work done for our visitors.”