Homily - Br Anthony's Funeral...
Funeral Homily for Brother Anthony, C.Ss.R.
St. Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull, Perth
25th May, 2013
In many senses we are returning to where the adventure of Religious Life began for Bro. Antony; because it was here 52 year ago – on this sanctuary - that Anthony pronounced his first Vows as a Redemptorist.
And I say ‘adventure’ because it seems to me that it was indeed an adventure for Anthony. In one of the things he wrote for our vocations’ literature, he said that he loved driving – and driving fast! And after service in the army he did indeed take to driving – although I suspect at a more moderate pace, since he drove buses.
However, all that changed when he became a Redemptorist - and the car – and the speed - became synonymous with Anthony. I can recall at least two occasions when, being pulled in by the police for speeding, Anthony jumped out of the car, fully habited – to the consternation of the Police Officer whose mouth dropped, and who half apologised to Anthony, who explained that he was on his way to a funeral! Only cautions were ever given – which Anthony gratefully received, and continued to drive at his normal speed!
Anthony is most closely associated with Redemptorist Publications – and we are sorry that due to the disruption at Heathrow, two staff members, Christine Thirkell and Trish Wilson – who were determined to make the journey from Hampshire to Perth, could not in the end be present here. However, their strong desire to be here, I am sure, indicates the affection in which Brother Anthony was held in the Office and in the locality – as well as in the community.
Anthony’s life, however, was not confirmed to Chawton. He was a pioneer member of the community which started our youth ministry (and later adult ministry) in Acre House in Glasgow, where he cooked for countless numbers of young people who came for day retreats.
He was also stationed in Clapham for some years where he was Bursar, shopper, provider -and cook when necessary. Anthony was in some sense the ‘door keeper’ at that time, and carefully ‘vetted’ the countless stream of people who passed through Clapham from all continents.
However, it is Chawton which was really ‘home for Anthony’ over these past years. He was stationed here in Kinnoull for just over a year but when asked to return to Chawton and help re-form (you can interpret that word as you wish) the community, he readily agreed, And it was a good move for him, for Denis and George and later Terry.
In the past year Anthony’s health started to decline as well know. It actually seems more than a month ago, when Denis called me and told me that he had accompanied Anthony into the Emergency Rooms at Basingstoke Hospital. I visit Anthony that afternoon with Denis, and the consultant informed us that Anthony was gravely ill and did not appear to hold out much hope for his recovery.
Imagine my surprise when I heard he was moved to Winchester hospital a week later – only to relapse, recover, move to Alton Cottage hospital where he sat up and took afternoon tea with Denis – and then relapse again. I used to joke with Denis as I asked how ‘Lazarus’ was.
However, I began to realise that this use of the name Lazarus was not a bad comparison. Lazarus did rise from the dead. But more importantly, Lazarus was a very good friend of Jesus. If you read the gospels carefully, it seems to me that the home of Lazarus (where he resided with his sisters Martha and Mary) was a place of respite for Jesus. It seems that this is the place to which he could escape and rest and relax......where he was well cared for, in terms of food, and hospitality and also space.
And these are the things that I so very closely associate with Anthony. Hospitality. Welcome. A meal – his famous soups. They are all synonymous with the man. His famous quip, “Anything for the Fathers” as he prepared a meal, made his daily visit to Morrison’s here in Perth or in Alton, could be taken as tongue in cheek; and yet there was a ring of truth in it. Nothing was too much for Anthony when welcoming confreres or guests. Meal appeared from nowhere, an assurance of a warm welcome was given – and space was also afforded to the guest which I know so many of us welcomed. Anthony would never crowd a person. I have been met by Anthony at Alton station. At Heathrow airport, at Gatwick airport, at Perth station – and always with a simple, “Welcome Ronnie”. As thought it was a part of the job. It was indeed part of his life - of caring for other
He was a true home maker. And I know he will be sadly missed for these qualities and for a hundred other gifts that I am not aware of.
He will be missed by our Province. He was a pioneer Brother – bridging the transition between the traditional domestic Brother and the Brother who engages in a whole variety of apostolates, from Bursar to office worker.
He will be sorely missed by the Redemptorist community in Chawton. And here I would like to say a special word of gratitude to Fr. Denis McBride. I know that Denis never considered his care of Anthony as the duty of a Superior, but rather as the solicitude of a friend. When we received Anthony’s body last evening, I described Denis as his Superior – but also his carer and his friend. And I know this to be true. No one knows how many hours Denis spent by Anthony’s bedside, nor the miles to drove to hospitals and clinics, nor the trays he carried up to his room.
But what I do know is that a deep bond developed between Denis and Anthony that that Denis’ devoted care for him went far beyond any concept of duty. It was carried out in LOVE. And God is love. So I thank God for this witness to service which is at the heart of Christian and Redemptorist life, and we offer Denis and Terry our prayers, support and gratitude at this difficult time, and in the days ahead.
For us a Redemptorists, an occasion like this is in many senses the culmination of our vowed life. When we move down to the cemetery after Mass, you will see rows of gravestones, on each of which you will see a crown at the top of the stone. This signifies the words of our founder St. Alphonsus, “I see prepared by God a crown of welcome and glory for those who die in our Congregation.” I know Anthony deserved this crown. I believe he will receive this crown of glory – a metaphor for the full knowledge and vision of God which surely he is enjoying now.
A great life – and a blessed death – and now heaven. God bless Anthony, and may his soul rest in peace.
Ronald J. McAinsh, C.Ss.R.
Provincial Superior
