The overflowing parish church in Springvale North was the reminder of how much a loving man can do for others. Although Fr John in his last years had very limited opportunities to mix with the people due to his illness he wasn’t forgotten by those whom he loved so much. He was an image of Jesus the Good Shepherd and people recognised that. All the gifts and skills he had he utilised to draw people to Jesus. Someone said that he needed only a few minutes to prepare a brilliant homily which would touch listeners deeply but it wasn’t a technical skill. Fr John lived so close to Jesus that he never run out of messages he wanted to offer to others, the messages which were brought to fruition through his systematic reading, study and prayer, combined with his attentive observation of what was happening around. I will always treasure those times when I was coming to visit him and I never found him wasting his time. Even when his life was limited to his chair he would continue his prayers and spiritual study. That’s why even in those times of struggle, when he wasn’t able to go out, people were coming to him as he was like a fountain offering fresh water of prudent and compassionate advise or caring prayer.
Someone noted that he saw in every person the grace of God at work, for every person meeting him was an encouragement and hope to keep going. Let’s pray so that Jesus could keep sending us missionaries like the one whom we have just farewelled.
Someone noted that he saw in every person the grace of God at work, for every person meeting him was an encouragement and hope to keep going. Let’s pray so that Jesus could keep sending us missionaries like the one whom we have just farewelled.
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