Homily of Father Seán Devereux PP at the Funeral Mass for members of the Alexander family in Cushinstown, New Ross, Co Wexford

11 Dec 2017

Gathering words for today has not been easy.  Trying all week to be some little support to the Keevey, Ryan and Alexander families has often made me stand back, asking why and wondering if this darkness will ever pass.

A journey to grieve a sister, sister in law, and aunt ended abruptly, stunning those close to Doug, Lily, Steve and Doug Jnr.  When the realization of the immensity of the tragedy began to sink in, I experienced a great pouring out of love and support.  People showed themselves willing to do whatever had to be done to make the lives of those grieving a little easier.

Home baking, cars provided and beds offered.  A real sense that community living is not dead but alive and well in the hearts of the people of this area.

We gather here today to pray, to remember and to accompany grieving relatives and friends of Doug, Lily, Steve and Doug Jnr.  A Christian family gathered to do what Jesus asks of us, namely to care for each other, to walk the pilgrimage of life together even when we have to carry each other.

Doug and Lily lived the American dream.  They went to the US to build a life for themselves and through hard work they did this. But they also enjoyed life moments and your memories spoken about them over the past week tell of a couple who shared what they had with others.  They were generous to the end.

Doug Jnr had traits of both his parents.  He enjoyed life and was hard working.  He brought joy to others through music and had a generous spirit.

Steve served his community as a police officer and helped to make dreams come through with his workforce through service provided to the Special Olympics.  He gave hope to so many young athletes as he encouraged them to achieved their dream.

Four people with individual gifts that they did not box up and use only for themselves but shared with family, friends and with the community.  They will live on as you remember their goodness, kindness and selflessness.

Advent is a season of waiting in hope for the birth of Jesus.  The Gospels tell us that Jesus reached out to those who had lost hope, the sick and the voiceless.  Wherever he travelled he left goodness in his wake.  Though our hearts are broken today we give thanks to God that we were privileged to know four people who – each in his or her own way – gave hope, brought laughter and left people who knew them feeling good.

So we are left with a legacy, shoulders to stand on, and an example to follow.  The hope and the zest for life that Lily, Doug, Steve and Doug Jnr had is not experienced by all in our world.  When we get a glimpse of the lives of these four people that we are commending to God today we should be encouraged as individuals, as a community and as a nation to bring to an end the suffering of homeless people, to end the lost hope of those on long hospitals waiting lists, the fear of people who live under the shadow of financial strain, the lack of self-worth caused by unemployment.

The State, the Church and the community are represented here today to pay our respects to people who ‘did their bit’ to help others.  In their memory let us strive to create a place of hope for all we know and with whom we come into contact.

Our faith becomes tangible when it finds expression in love and most especially in the service of our brothers and sisters in difficulty.

This past week we have experienced an out-pouring of such love and support.  Let us keep the flame alive and spread the goodness of God made visible in our actions to others.

May Lily, Doug, Steve and Doug Jnr Rest In Peace.

Amen.

ENDS

                                                        

For media contact: Father John Carroll, Diocesan Secretary, Bishop’s House, Summerhill, Wexford, Diocese of Ferns on [email protected] and on 00353 (0) 87 9898424; David Macken, Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth, on 00353 (1) 5053055.