Chew Magna parish Mass of Thanksgiving for Richard 2nd Aug 2007

As warm sunshine flooded into Sacred Heart Parish Chew Magna yesterday evening Richard was brought into his parish for the last time as all seats were taken by those wishing to offer thanks, say farewell and, as Bishop Arthur Roche commented, pray for “a truly great man”.

A lovely smiling photo of Richard from Helen and Mike decorated the lectern, beneath a stunningly beautiful floral bouquet. A seemingly endless procession of fellow priests from Clifton Diocese and other Salvatorian parishes processed past us as “Lord of all kindness, Lord of all joy”... greeted Richard's arrival as he was placed under the Easter Candle. Symbols of his faith and priesthood were arranged on the coffin: his breviary, a crucifix, chalice, paten and his priestly stole, reminding us of the joy Richard felt in his call to the priesthood.

Favourite hymns and specially composed prayers brought Richard especially close as we knew he had prepared all we were celebrating. The hymns particularly evoked other Masses and celebrations with Richard down the years: “Yahweh I know you are near..”, “Here I am Lord..”, “This is my Body..”, Be Though My Vision..” all perfect choices.

There was laughter and tears amongst the solemnities. Bishop Arthur himself a former pupil of Richard's told us that Richard had taught three future bishops at Christleton College, Thomas Williams and Kevin Dunnn being the other two, and on their ordination as bishops he had commented that he couldn't vouch for their knowledge of theology, but he was sure that they knew how to dissect a frog!

Deacon Mark proclaimed Richard's chosen Gospel of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, including Mary's great Magnificat which Richard would have known from his Daily Office “ My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my soul exults in God”. Richard's prayers encouraged us to look forward to new possibilities, to be thankful, to have faith and pray for clarity in how we can contribute towards service of others. All those virtues which he tried to mirror in his own priestly life.

Fr. Peter, Provincial of the Salvatorians, spoke warmly of Richard's life, he asked each of us take a few moments to reminisce about our own memory of Richard as he put it “memories speak louder than words” He shared his own memory of Richard's cooking and hospitality with his fellow Salvatorians at Christmases gone by. We laughed at his sales pitch for Richard's autobiography “Bless and tell”.

Prayers for Richard and those of us who mourn him were lead by Pauline, gifts were offered and then Bishop Arthur's solemn intonation of the Preface lead us to the climax of our celebration.

As our communion prayers for Richard came to an end, Stephen McNulty a Chew Magna parishioner, friend and fellow Liverpudlian delivered a eulogy in Richard's memory. We laughed at the irony as Stephen told us he had often told Richard that he didn't approve of funeral eulogies, typical of Richard to get the last laugh!

He reminded us of Richard's great enthusiasm for plans and projects to bring his community together even in “retirement”, even in the last weeks of his life. Of his desire to write a book of spiritual exercises called “Prayerobics”. He compared Richard's ability to use episodes from his own life, especially his set backs or failings, as Jesus himself used parables to reach out to others.

He recalled Richard's pilgrimage to China to visit the home of his inspiration St. Francis Xavier. How Richard drew the parallel of his leap of faith from a boat into what he hoped would be the arms of a crew member below, with the leap of faith God asks us to take. As Stephen put it Richard had taken his final leap of faith into the waiting arms of his Divine Saviour. Above all he encouraged us to pray for our friend.

Bishop Arthur made his final prayer for Richard that “as he had died with Christ in Baptism he may rise with him in glory”. Richard's coffin was sprinkled with holy water and incensed for his final farewell.

As the stirring echoes of “Guide Me O thou Great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land” ended, Richard's body was taken out of his Church for the last time. As his fellow priests and Salvatorian sisters accompanied him outside, strains of the Salve Regina floated back into the church to be taken up by those of us still quietly waiting to see him depart. Richard would have been proud of all his parishioners for such a wonderful send off. And no doubt equally pleased that his final act was to literally stop the traffic on Chew Magna High Street!

Now time for the hospitality of the Chew Magna parishioners to be continued in the tradition Richard loved so well with refreshments and stories on the lawn outside his house.

As Richard's final hymn and a quote from St. Francis Xavier attest: “For to be good we have to be pilgrims in this life”, we pray that all the goodness Richard acquired in his earthly pilgrimage may come to fruition in heaven. We can be assured of his prayers for us as we continue on our pilgrimage.

Louise Madden