Everyone here today will have experienced Richard’s love in a variety of ways. Each one will have memories of him and the way he has touched our lives. It falls to me to have the privilege of trying to put my own memories of him into the parts of the jigsaw that lie before us. It would take up a lot of time if I try to share with you his life and all that he accomplished. I do not feel that this is necessary because, not only will his very good friend Stephen McNulty speak at Chew Magna, and Mike Whitty speak at Wealdstone, but I would remind you that Richard has already done it for us. I recommend that if you have not already done so, you buy a copy of “Bless and Tell” by Richard Sullivan and read it for yourself ;-) Copies available at a special discount price or as Richard might say, “Buy one and get one free”.
Seriously, though, it is to his book that I have turned, along with my own memories, to remind us all of the unique person that we know and love. Each one should take just a moment to remember Richard and give thanks to God for the fact that he entered our life, touched us and helped us on our way. Memories speak louder than words.
It was said of him “that no good will ever come of him” but fortunately, this did not prove to be the case. From the humble beginnings in Liverpool, to the joy of being a Parish Priest in Chew Magna, he was to prove this saying to be without foundation. He was born into a family of five children, three girls and two boys, in a city where “we speak with an accent exceedingly rare; meet under a statue exceedingly bare; if you want a Cathedral, we’ve got one to spare; in my Liverpool home”. Our thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with Richard’s family. His two sisters who are still living, Winnie and Lily, who are unable to be present with us today, with his nieces and nephews who have recently buried their mother and Richard’s sister, Flo. We support them with our prayerful and loving support.
He rejoiced in his priesthood and he was proud to be a Salvatorian. He entered the community in 1952 and was attracted to it because he had such a broad remit: Serve people everywhere, by all the ways and means which the love of Christ inspires. There were no constraints here, just the opportunity to undertake any type of work that enabled people to appreciate and experience the goodness of kindness of Christ the Saviour.
Richard took the invitation literally! Son, Brother, Uncle, Teacher, Soldier, Lecturer, Customs Officer, Author, Friend and Counsellor, Scholar, Student Chaplain, Army Chaplain in the Territorial Army – holding the rank of Major, Religious and Priest, Superior of the local Salvatorian Community and for six years, in a leadership role as Provincial, Parish Priest and Friend to many students who have experienced his cooking, his open house, and Sunday evening get-togethers; public speaker and evangeliser of many – he took literally the invitation: “by all ways and means”. He was faithful to this over the years and the presence of so many here today is an eloquent tribute to his success.
He maintained his friendship with many who had been students of his. Often he travelled to distant parts of the world as he accepted an invitation to visit them, to marry them, or to have a holiday. But it was also the same here in this country – and he often delighted in entertaining them – remember he was an excellent cook – when they visited him, wherever he was living.
Although Richard spent many years of his priestly life working in the student world, at Christleton Hall (1961-1970): as an Army Chaplain (1962-1976): giver of retreats (1962-2004): at Mary Ward (1970-1975): Aston University (1975-1981): it must not be forgotten that he also served as Parish Priest in two Salvatorian parishes. His first appointment was in 1981-1983, when he took care of the Parish of the Precious Blood, The Borough, London. He stayed for two years and then went to the Parish of the Sacred Heart, Ystradgynlais, South Wales (1983-1985). However, in the middle of 1985 he moved back to the student world when he was appointed as Chaplain to Keele University, Staffs, where he remained until 1993 when the community recognised his abilities by electing him to serve in a leadership role as Provincial for the next six years (1993-1999).
He has a great love of, and commitment, to his religious family, the Salvatorians, where he was affectionately known as “Scouse”. Not only did he share his many gifts with his brethren, but he enjoyed their company and was at home with them and a gin and tonic! He was an excellent story teller with a fund of jokes, for as he often said: “You’ve gorra laugh”. Like all of us, he had his faults but these were few, and were far outweighed by the many gifts and the good common sense that were very much a part of his character. He was never a person who might be described as a sportsman – I can remember that he did join in when we played football in our student days – but I would not describe him as being enthusiastic! Did he know the difference between Everton and Liverpool? I hope so.
It was following his time as Provincial, and still feeling that he was young enough to open another chapter of his life, that he went to Chew Magna as Parish Priest in September 1999. He quickly settled down and felt at home. It was to prove to be a good experience for him. They know far better than any the effect he had on them and how important collaborative ministry was to be in the parish. The experience of this will surely stand them in good stead in the immediate future.
Having reached the ripe old age of 81, Richard had notified Bishop Declan of his intention to retire. He had another book to finish and many other things to do – retirement would be to a flat in Reading- generously provided for him (by friends) and he had already spent some days of each week there – getting used to it. But it was not to be – everyone knows of the sudden onset of his cancer and his subsequent operation, hospitalisation and return to home, as he referred to Chew Magna.
Here he prepared for the last stage of his earthly journey, supported by Helen and Mike, as well as parishioners and friends. Many of the latter kept in touch with him through “Richard’s blog” and many would have read it, as I did, with interest and amazement. He was determined to keep in touch and the support that he received from knowing that people were praying for him was a source of encouragement at a very difficult time. I was fortunate enough to visit him a couple of times during this period and I have no doubt that when he made the decision to let nature take its course, he did so because was ready to say “good-bye” to use and “hello” to his maker. He had missed out meeting him some sixteen years ago (1991) but this time the Lord could well have said to him “I have been waiting 81 years for you – what has kept you?” He died peacefully on Saturday, 28 July 2007, in his own bed, in his own home.
Richard lived out his vocation as a Salvatorian and served the Community and Church with great love and dedication.
I would like to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Salvatorian Community, Richard’s parishioners and friends, deep thanks to Helen and Mike Whitty for their loving commitment to Richard throughout his life but especially during these past two months. They have been a source of strength to him and to us. They were there for Richard when he needed them most and I am sure that in the future they will also draw strength from their memories of him.
It seems appropriate to me to allow Richard to have the final words and I take from his book the following:
“These pages tell the story of my vision and how, against all odds, it came to pass. They tell of the wonderful life I have had as a Priest, as one dream gave way to another. And all because:
Seriously, though, it is to his book that I have turned, along with my own memories, to remind us all of the unique person that we know and love. Each one should take just a moment to remember Richard and give thanks to God for the fact that he entered our life, touched us and helped us on our way. Memories speak louder than words.
It was said of him “that no good will ever come of him” but fortunately, this did not prove to be the case. From the humble beginnings in Liverpool, to the joy of being a Parish Priest in Chew Magna, he was to prove this saying to be without foundation. He was born into a family of five children, three girls and two boys, in a city where “we speak with an accent exceedingly rare; meet under a statue exceedingly bare; if you want a Cathedral, we’ve got one to spare; in my Liverpool home”. Our thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with Richard’s family. His two sisters who are still living, Winnie and Lily, who are unable to be present with us today, with his nieces and nephews who have recently buried their mother and Richard’s sister, Flo. We support them with our prayerful and loving support.
He rejoiced in his priesthood and he was proud to be a Salvatorian. He entered the community in 1952 and was attracted to it because he had such a broad remit: Serve people everywhere, by all the ways and means which the love of Christ inspires. There were no constraints here, just the opportunity to undertake any type of work that enabled people to appreciate and experience the goodness of kindness of Christ the Saviour.
Richard took the invitation literally! Son, Brother, Uncle, Teacher, Soldier, Lecturer, Customs Officer, Author, Friend and Counsellor, Scholar, Student Chaplain, Army Chaplain in the Territorial Army – holding the rank of Major, Religious and Priest, Superior of the local Salvatorian Community and for six years, in a leadership role as Provincial, Parish Priest and Friend to many students who have experienced his cooking, his open house, and Sunday evening get-togethers; public speaker and evangeliser of many – he took literally the invitation: “by all ways and means”. He was faithful to this over the years and the presence of so many here today is an eloquent tribute to his success.
He maintained his friendship with many who had been students of his. Often he travelled to distant parts of the world as he accepted an invitation to visit them, to marry them, or to have a holiday. But it was also the same here in this country – and he often delighted in entertaining them – remember he was an excellent cook – when they visited him, wherever he was living.
Although Richard spent many years of his priestly life working in the student world, at Christleton Hall (1961-1970): as an Army Chaplain (1962-1976): giver of retreats (1962-2004): at Mary Ward (1970-1975): Aston University (1975-1981): it must not be forgotten that he also served as Parish Priest in two Salvatorian parishes. His first appointment was in 1981-1983, when he took care of the Parish of the Precious Blood, The Borough, London. He stayed for two years and then went to the Parish of the Sacred Heart, Ystradgynlais, South Wales (1983-1985). However, in the middle of 1985 he moved back to the student world when he was appointed as Chaplain to Keele University, Staffs, where he remained until 1993 when the community recognised his abilities by electing him to serve in a leadership role as Provincial for the next six years (1993-1999).
He has a great love of, and commitment, to his religious family, the Salvatorians, where he was affectionately known as “Scouse”. Not only did he share his many gifts with his brethren, but he enjoyed their company and was at home with them and a gin and tonic! He was an excellent story teller with a fund of jokes, for as he often said: “You’ve gorra laugh”. Like all of us, he had his faults but these were few, and were far outweighed by the many gifts and the good common sense that were very much a part of his character. He was never a person who might be described as a sportsman – I can remember that he did join in when we played football in our student days – but I would not describe him as being enthusiastic! Did he know the difference between Everton and Liverpool? I hope so.
It was following his time as Provincial, and still feeling that he was young enough to open another chapter of his life, that he went to Chew Magna as Parish Priest in September 1999. He quickly settled down and felt at home. It was to prove to be a good experience for him. They know far better than any the effect he had on them and how important collaborative ministry was to be in the parish. The experience of this will surely stand them in good stead in the immediate future.
Having reached the ripe old age of 81, Richard had notified Bishop Declan of his intention to retire. He had another book to finish and many other things to do – retirement would be to a flat in Reading- generously provided for him (by friends) and he had already spent some days of each week there – getting used to it. But it was not to be – everyone knows of the sudden onset of his cancer and his subsequent operation, hospitalisation and return to home, as he referred to Chew Magna.
Here he prepared for the last stage of his earthly journey, supported by Helen and Mike, as well as parishioners and friends. Many of the latter kept in touch with him through “Richard’s blog” and many would have read it, as I did, with interest and amazement. He was determined to keep in touch and the support that he received from knowing that people were praying for him was a source of encouragement at a very difficult time. I was fortunate enough to visit him a couple of times during this period and I have no doubt that when he made the decision to let nature take its course, he did so because was ready to say “good-bye” to use and “hello” to his maker. He had missed out meeting him some sixteen years ago (1991) but this time the Lord could well have said to him “I have been waiting 81 years for you – what has kept you?” He died peacefully on Saturday, 28 July 2007, in his own bed, in his own home.
Richard lived out his vocation as a Salvatorian and served the Community and Church with great love and dedication.
I would like to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Salvatorian Community, Richard’s parishioners and friends, deep thanks to Helen and Mike Whitty for their loving commitment to Richard throughout his life but especially during these past two months. They have been a source of strength to him and to us. They were there for Richard when he needed them most and I am sure that in the future they will also draw strength from their memories of him.
It seems appropriate to me to allow Richard to have the final words and I take from his book the following:
“These pages tell the story of my vision and how, against all odds, it came to pass. They tell of the wonderful life I have had as a Priest, as one dream gave way to another. And all because:
Somebody said it couldn’t be done
but he, with a chuckle, replied
that maybe it couldn’t but he would be one
who wouldn’t say so ‘til he tried.
So he buckled right in with a bit of a grin
on his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
that couldn’t be done, and he did it.
“It couldn’t be done” by Edgar A. Guest.
but he, with a chuckle, replied
that maybe it couldn’t but he would be one
who wouldn’t say so ‘til he tried.
So he buckled right in with a bit of a grin
on his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
that couldn’t be done, and he did it.
“It couldn’t be done” by Edgar A. Guest.
When the Open University awarded him his Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University, Richard wrote: “I don’t know if I get to write D.Univ. after my name, but I could not ask for greater recognition of all that I have tried to say in this book. I have one final vision, one final ambition, and that is to gain an St. And you write that in front of your name.
You’re gorra laugh!
Good-bye and thank you for spending some time with me".
Good-bye and thank you for spending some time with me".
Good-bye Richard and thank your for spending 81 years with us. Rest in peace and rise in glory.
Fr Peter Preston SDS
Provincial Superior
Fr Peter Preston SDS
Provincial Superior
Many thanks to Fr. Peter for allowing us to include his homily in the blog.
