At some time during Sunday night, 30 August 2009, Fr Gerald passed away; he had been staying with his niece in York.
On Monday 7th September at 11.30am in Ampleforth Abbey Fr Cuthbert (the new Abbot) and all the monks celebrated a full requiem Mass for Fr Gerald. Following this, his coffin was transferred to an ancient wheeled bier and taken up the hill in procession of all present, across the road behind the Abbey and half way up the steep hill, and into the beechwood where many of the monks are buried. There in a simple ceremony, in full autumn sunshine, his body was interred by the Abbot and brethren, as is the custom. And right at the end, after most everyone else had left, a final farewell was quietly sung by several of those present, mostly St Austin's parishioners.
On Thursday 10th September at 6.30pm at St Austin's, another requiem mass for Fr Gerald was said.
And, how should we remember him? Well some might like to remember the portrait of him by Fionnuala that produced a big smile when he saw it for the first time ...
While others will remember him raising a smile ... as this picture reminds us ...
"May angels lead you to paradise ... and may you have eternal rest". We praise and thank God for your life with us.
Our many thanks to Phil Disley and Fionnuala for the wonderful portraits, and to Netti Porter for the Photograph.