rest in peace, Father.
it seems this week is one of loss, in more ways than one.
got the message this morning, that one of my parish priests, Father Tom O'Neil, passed away yesterday. The logical side of my brain wanted details, where, when, how, please Lord don't let him have suffered. The rest of me just burst into tears. I think I skipped all of the Kubler-Ross nonsense straight to Grief.
The details came later, but they didn't change the fact that Father was gone. He came to Singapore, to St. Ignatius parish in 1981 and served nonstop, hearing confessions and comforting people until the very last. Giving people the last rites was a real skill of his--he always knew just how to comfort the dying and how to console the family, sincerely without being trite. "Go now to Jesus, your fight is done." I just kept thinking how no one gave Father his last rites and how he probably died alone, and I couldn't stop my tears. It didn't occur until later that he didn't die alone.
Tonight was the memorial service for him. The funeral Mass is on Monday. As usual Father was considerate to the end--he passed away on Thursday which gives all the people who love him the weekend to mourn him and everyone will be able to attend his memorial! Even though there was no official announcement, word of mouth got around fast and the hall was packed to the seams with people. I thought it would be in the main place of gathering and was surprised to see Father's body resting in the coffin in the centre of the hall. So we took our turns to pay our respects, and the tears started falling for everyone. It was sniffles all over, with some men really trying to hide the fact that they were crying, blinking really hard.
but seeing Father in the coffin was comforting. He looked really peaceful, almost like he was smiling.
I think mourning is something we humans need to do together. I mean...this really was more for us in a way. Father is in a happier place, no more aches and pains burdening his aged body--heck, he's probably got a suite in God's mansion and he's having a great time. All this pomp and circumstance is for us, to help us cope with the loss and to let us know that we are not alone in mourning this great man.
Father Tom Aidan O'Neil
1924-2009
Thank you so much, Father.
We love you, and we'll miss you.
and say hi to St Iggy for us when you get a chance.
got the message this morning, that one of my parish priests, Father Tom O'Neil, passed away yesterday. The logical side of my brain wanted details, where, when, how, please Lord don't let him have suffered. The rest of me just burst into tears. I think I skipped all of the Kubler-Ross nonsense straight to Grief.
The details came later, but they didn't change the fact that Father was gone. He came to Singapore, to St. Ignatius parish in 1981 and served nonstop, hearing confessions and comforting people until the very last. Giving people the last rites was a real skill of his--he always knew just how to comfort the dying and how to console the family, sincerely without being trite. "Go now to Jesus, your fight is done." I just kept thinking how no one gave Father his last rites and how he probably died alone, and I couldn't stop my tears. It didn't occur until later that he didn't die alone.
Tonight was the memorial service for him. The funeral Mass is on Monday. As usual Father was considerate to the end--he passed away on Thursday which gives all the people who love him the weekend to mourn him and everyone will be able to attend his memorial! Even though there was no official announcement, word of mouth got around fast and the hall was packed to the seams with people. I thought it would be in the main place of gathering and was surprised to see Father's body resting in the coffin in the centre of the hall. So we took our turns to pay our respects, and the tears started falling for everyone. It was sniffles all over, with some men really trying to hide the fact that they were crying, blinking really hard.
but seeing Father in the coffin was comforting. He looked really peaceful, almost like he was smiling.
I think mourning is something we humans need to do together. I mean...this really was more for us in a way. Father is in a happier place, no more aches and pains burdening his aged body--heck, he's probably got a suite in God's mansion and he's having a great time. All this pomp and circumstance is for us, to help us cope with the loss and to let us know that we are not alone in mourning this great man.
Father Tom Aidan O'Neil
1924-2009
Thank you so much, Father.
We love you, and we'll miss you.
and say hi to St Iggy for us when you get a chance.