OBITUARIES 2011
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Br ALBERIC TORRENS, O.F.M., 1926 - 2011
Br Alberic died in Canterbury on the 16th April 2011, the eve of Palm Sunday, having had a heart-attack on the way to hospital and another in the hospital that he did not survive. Alberic had only recently moved to Canterbury from Chilworth when the friars left it. We had to wait almost a month before his funeral could be arranged due to the post-mortem and the Easter holidays. In the event a good number of friars and parishioners from Chilworth could attend, with his niece Lorraine representing the family. Alberic was born in Ilford on 18th November 1926 and was baptised Denis. After serving in the Merchant Navy from the age of 15 years during the Second World War he joined the friars in 1950, making his first profession on 22nd January 1951. He was ordained a priest on 17th March 1956. Alberic’s life had quite a bit of turbulence in it, but he was able to conclude his curriculum vitae by writing, "Of one thing I am quite certain, I was born to be a Catholic Priest. It has also been my good fortune to be a Franciscan." We pray that he is now at peace.
The Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of the Franciscan International Study Centre at Canterbury and the committal took place at Barham Crematorium on Wednesday, 11th May 2011. Much later on the 15th June 2011, the urn containing his ashes was taken to Chilworth and buried beside his brother in the friars' cemetery in what was being turned into a Benedictine Abbey.
To read the homily given at Alberic's funeral by the Minister Provincial click here
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BR SIMON SIMMONDS R.I.P.
Brother Simon Simmonds passed to his heavenly home at 5.20 a.m. on Thursday, 10th November 2011. He had for a long time been in the care of the Sisters at St Anne's Nursing Home at Stoke Newington. His body was received in St Francis Church, Stratford, on Wednesday 16th November 2011 at 7 p.m. and his funeral took place there on Thursday, 17th November 2011, at 12.15 p.m. There was a large congregation in attendance. Immediately after the Funeral Mass, the burial took place at St Patrick's Cemetery. Simon was 82 years old and had been a professed friar in our Province since 20th December 1958, when he made his first profession. He served the Order many years as a lay brother, until he applied to take Holy Orders and was ordained a priest on 15th March 1986.
May he rest in peace.
To read the Minister Provincial's funeral homily click here
The Burial
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BROTHER DIDACUS PIERCE. R.I.P.
- Br Didacus Pierce, O.F.M., at the 2005 Provincial Chapter
On 15th December 2011 our Brother Didacus Pierce was called to his heavenly reward. He was back after a recent spell in hospital in the Albemerle Home in Nottinham which had been his home for some time when he died. His body was received into the chuch of Our Lady and St Edward, Nottingham, on Monday, 12th December 2011 at 5 p.m.. His Requiem was celebrated there the following day at 12.15 p.m. followed by cremation.
To read an account and appreciation of his life, go to the Funeral Homily given at the Mass by the Minister Provincial, Fr Michael Copps: click here
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