Reverend fathers, ladies and gentlemen.
It might be appropriate to begin with the first praise Richard ever received.
Richard’s Soldier’s Release Book, stamped with the date of 9th February 1948 when Richard was just 21 and had done his bit in restoring democracy to Western Europe, gives an insight into Richard the Soldier. In it, the officer commanding his unit had written:
“The above named NCO has been employed as Chief Clerk. His work has at all times been excellent. He is quick, accurate, painstaking and very willing. I have every confidence in recommending him for any position requiring initiative, loyalty trustworthiness and honesty. In all respects an excellent man”.
After being told in his Jesuit school that “No good will ever come of him…” it is not hard to see why Richard liked the army so much and after his subsequent ordination to the priesthood thirteen years later, served for many years as an army chaplain eventually gaining a Territorial Decoration. And being a Salvatorian for nearly half a century in a variety of ministries he has certainly needed initiative, loyalty trustworthiness and honesty.
I first met Richard in 1979 about the time I was engaged to Helen who had met Richard when he was Chaplain and senior lecturer at Mary Ward College, a teacher training college in Nottingham, in 1970.
It is very difficult to talk about a man who was first and foremost a great and gifted communicator. One of his parishioners recently told me what an amazing experience it was for the congregation to hear sermons that actually contained jokes – and jokes that genuinely made them laugh. Richard had that rare gift of touching people’s lives and making a difference for the good. The vast number of cards, emails, letters and phonecalls from all over the world over the last two months testify to this. Those professionals who supported him in the last weeks – from the Palliative Care Team, Bristol Royal Infirmary, the District Nurses and others – all expressed a sense of the privilege they felt it to be to support such a rare person. A number of the letters and emails recounted personal experiences of how Richard had brought them to Christ. In fact, Richard’s newsletter when he was Chaplain at Keele from 1985 to 1993 was called The Matchmaker. This title didn’t refer to his role as a one-man marriage agency – though there are married couples around the globe who met through Richard and many of them were married by him. The Matchmaker referred to Richard’s role as he saw it: matchmaking between his students and Christ. And in this he was outstandingly successful.
Superficially his method was very straightforward. His chaplaincy or his presbytery was a home from home rather than a theological debating society for all his students and parishioners. Feed them. Make them comfortable and at ease and they will want to come back. Care for them, and they will learn how to care for others.
I remember on one visit, I think to Ystradgynlais in South Wales, Richard asked my three year old son what he thought a priest was. Matthew thought about this and then came up with a definition that really pleased Richard. He said a priest was a man who prays and cooks. Richard really liked the idea of a priest ministering to the spiritual and material needs of his people – though I’m not quite sure that was what Matthew might have said at the time. Those who attended Richard’s amazing Sunday Masses and lunches at the cottage in Keele will know all about the praying and cooking!
But of course there was a powerful driving force beneath the praying and cooking: Richard made people feel, made them know, they were important to him, and also important to God.
However, Richard was not perfect. (He was, after all, an Everton supporter).
Also, he could be very stressfully precise. On one occasion last month when he was back in Chew Magna from the hospital he asked my wife Helen for a glass of water.
Certainly, she said and brought it.
Could I have it in that other glass – you know, my favourite one?
Certainly, she said and brought it.
Could I have some ice in it?
Certainly, she said and brought it.
I think there’s a bit too much in that glass, could you pour some out?
Certainly, she said and brought it.
Actually, you could put a bit more in it.
At this point Helen said: “Richard would you like to drink this water - or wear it?”
With a pained and non-comprehending expression Richard said I thought you were supposed to be caring for me? And then he really did laugh.
Fr Peter has quoted already one of Richard’s characteristic sayings “You’ve gorra laugh”. Another that I guess we’ve all heard was the phrase “fair do’s” – an untranslatable term really, that summed up Richard’s acceptance of whatever life had thrown at him. We all know that life threw a very considerable challenge at him in 1991 when he was very ill in hospital in Stoke having had two operations in quick succession to deal with an infection in a heart valve, and then to stop the bleeding. Richard always saw the time after this as a special gift from God. In the remaining 16 years of his life he finished his stint as Chaplain at Keele University, served his Society as Provincial for six years and was Parish Priest in Chew Magna, Somerset for the last eight years.
The concept of retirement was totally alien to him: he was, after all, still
working as a parish priest at the age of 81. However, just before his cancer was diagnosed, he had told his parishioners that he intended to leave Chew Magna this summer. Following the publication of the famous “Bless and Tell”, his plan was to write another book called, with Richard’s characteristic wit, “Prayerobics – the Spiritual Exercises of Fr Richard”. Some chapters had already been written and the flavour of these might be deduced from the titles; Chapter 1, for example, is entitled “Spiritual Fruit or Religious Nut”. I hope that in time at least some of this draft work can be published on the internet.
Another example of the way in which Richard kept on keeping on was his time in Bristol Royal Infirmary following the surgery. He was very poorly indeed, with five days on a High Dependency Ward where he learned that his invasive surgery to remove a tumour had not been successful and where for nearly two weeks his system shut down and surgeons were not optimistic that he would recover post-operatively. Yet, he showed great determination to recover because he honestly felt he had another chapter of life to offer to us all. He began to respond to treatment and even during this very difficult time, he counselled two people; dealt with several enquiries about Catholicism; and heard one confession. Six days before he died, although he was by then very weak, he was motivated to attend the annual parish lunch for a short while in the village of Ubley, to meet for one last time with his faithful and devoted parishioners. It took a great effort of will on his part to manage this as he was by this time wheelchair-bound and was in the final stages of the disease.
So there were good moments even in those last weeks such as the chats with a few sips of his favourite gin and tonic, (with just the right amount of lemon, of course!) He celebrated half a dozen or so Masses in his living room, seated on a chair or the bed. After one of these, Helen said I think that’s taken a lot out of you, Richard. No, he replied, it’s put something into me.
We saw him grow in acceptance of what was happening and he came to associate what he was suffering with the sufferings of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Richard’s illness and death, like his long, vigorous and creative life was an eloquent homily on faith, hope and love. He showed great faith, and eventually said that he was ready to go as he knew his work was over and so he gave himself up to prayer and preparation, but still with good humour and great concern for those he knew would be left behind.
All of us here know bits of Richard, different parts of his life and different moments of contact with him. All these encounters are like the pieces of a mosaic and none of us has the complete picture. But there are some qualities of our great friend stamped on all those pieces: his dedication in supporting those who came to him needy or distressed, his commitment as a Salvatorian to our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and his belief that the love of God was there for all of us.
The prayer of St Richard of Chichester sums up Richard’s striving thought his whole life: to know Jesus more clearly, to love Him more dearly and to follow Him more nearly.
Richard’s life as a priest has touched all of us and he has friends all over the world who feel his loss terribly and we are joined with them today in prayer and celebration for his amazing and wonderful life. But we must not forget in our own grieving that Richard was a Salvatorian priest and his brothers in Christ here, and in other communities around the world are also feeling his loss. Let us remember them in our own prayers, thanking God and ask Him to send them more priests to carry on their work of service and evangelisation as Richard has done.
In all respects this excellent man, our friend, guide, mentor, Richard Sullivan, has fought the good fight and run the race to the finish; he has kept the faith and we pray for him to receive the crown of righteousness reserved for him.
Many thanks to Mike Whitty for allowing us to include his eulogy in the blog.
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Mass of Thanksgiving - Homily by Fr Peter Preston SDS
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.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Monday, 6 August 2007
Reception into the Church of St Joseph, Harrow Weald.
Father Richard was welcomed home by 10 of his fellow Salvatorian priests this evening, as family and friends gathered to pray for him. We thought you may like to reflect on some of the scripture texts that were used during the vigil service.
1 John 1 - 2.
Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us. My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed: all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.
Psalm 102.
The Lord is compassion and love.
The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.
He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.
As a father has compassion on his sons, the Lord has pity on those who fear him;
for he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass; he flowers like the flower of the field;
the wind blows and he is gone and his place never sees him again.
But the love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear:
his justice reaches out to children's children when they keep his covenant in truth.
The Lord is compassion and love.
Gospel of John 14: 1 -4, 6 - 7.
'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house; if it were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.'
Jesus said:
'I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.'
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
[Scripture texts taken from the Jerusalem Bible popular edition published by Darton, Longman and Todd].
1 John 1 - 2.
Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God's children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us. My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed: all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.
Psalm 102.
The Lord is compassion and love.
The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.
He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.
As a father has compassion on his sons, the Lord has pity on those who fear him;
for he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass; he flowers like the flower of the field;
the wind blows and he is gone and his place never sees him again.
But the love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear:
his justice reaches out to children's children when they keep his covenant in truth.
The Lord is compassion and love.
Gospel of John 14: 1 -4, 6 - 7.
'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house; if it were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going.'
Jesus said:
'I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know my Father too. From this moment you know him and have seen him.'
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
[Scripture texts taken from the Jerusalem Bible popular edition published by Darton, Longman and Todd].
Louise Madden
A Keele Goodbye?
Is anybody interested in meeting at Keele on Tuesday to say goodbye to Richard?
Please email me asap at a.cheadle@tesco.net
Ann Marie Cheadle
Please email me asap at a.cheadle@tesco.net
Ann Marie Cheadle
Sunday, 5 August 2007
Eucharistic Service at the Sacred Heart Church Chew Magna 7th Aug 2007
Just to let everyone know:We will be having a Eucharistic Service at the Sacred Heart Church Chew Magna on Tuesday at Twelve Noon, to coincide with the time of the funeral at Wealdstone.
We will be thinking of him, his family, and all of his friends across the world.
It will be followed by a cup of tea and cake since it would not be a 'do for Richard' without some form of social gathering!
Gill
We will be thinking of him, his family, and all of his friends across the world.
It will be followed by a cup of tea and cake since it would not be a 'do for Richard' without some form of social gathering!
Gill
Friday, 3 August 2007
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
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