Background
Father Francis Bradley, Parish Priest of Buncrana, celebrated he Requiem Mass for Emmanuel Kolawole Familola RIP, in The Oratory, Buncrana, at 10.00am today.
Symbols
Symbols representing Emmanuel’s life: Ruth Garvey Williams brings forward a collage of photos from Emmanuel’s recent trip to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he attended recently and thoroughly enjoyed. The Department reached out to Emmanuel’s mother, Glory, and her sons Daniel and John, to offer their deepest condolences. Emmanuel’s brothers, Daniel brings forward his Manchester City shirt, a team he supported and loved, and John brings forward his Bible, for he was a person of deep faith. Doreen brings forward the Certificate that Emmanuel was due to receive last Monday on his completion of his time recently at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Introduction: Tony Joel, a neighbour of the Familola family in Nigeria Readers: Reader I: Ayomide Kayola (Emmanuel’s Cousin) Reader II: Billy Banda, Leader of the African Community in Donegal Prayer of the Faithful: Andrew Garvey-Williams, Kingsley Agoha, Fatiha Oyekanmi, Sandra Agoha, Oso Olahekan Gifts of Bread & Wine:Four of Emmanuel’s friends from Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Welcome by Tony Joel, a neighbour of the Familola family in Nigeria.
On behalf of the African Community in Donegal, the African community in Derry and the African community in Ireland, and on behalf of Glory Familola and the Familola family back home in Nigeria, we want to say thank you to the Irish people. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the people from Buncrana, from Inishowen and from Donegal for being there for us from the moment this tragedy happened. Thank you to the RNLI, all the emergency services and the hospital staff at Letterkenny General Hospital who tried so hard to save Emmanuel. We cannot thank you enough for the unity and love you have given to this family and for supporting us all in this hard time. May Almighty God continue to bless this country, continue to bless this community and every family here. Thank you.
Mass begins with the Safe Haven Choir singing Amazing Grace
Introduction by chief celebrant Father Francis Bradley
On this beautiful morning, in this place of outstanding natural beauty, we gather as people of faith – from many different places and languages, cultures and traditions, faiths and belief systems. It is a deep human need and to express a deeper human bond that has us here, for we need to speak with God and listen to him in prayer, we need to reach out to one another in tender support.
I welcome most especially Emmanuel’s mother, Glory, his younger brothers Daniel and John, members of his extended family, and his family and friends from The Sailor’s Rest and other places.
I welcome Commandant Joe Glennon, Aide de Camp to An Taoiseach, representing Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, and his Chaplain, Father Daniel McFaul.
I welcome Emmanuel’s school, Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana with their Principal Evelyn McLoughlin.
I welcome the Safe Haven Christian Community with their leaders Ruth and Andrew Garvey-Williams.
I welcome representatives of the Emergency Services especially An Garda Síochána, the RNLI, the Coastguard, and the Ambulance Service.
I welcome Father Cajecan, a priest from Nigeria, living here at the Termonbacca Carmelite Monastery in Derry.
I welcome all from near and far away who join us this morning whether here or through our webcam services.
In the deep bond of faith, we present items now representing Emmanual’s life: Items representing Emmanuel’s life: Ruth Garvey Williams brings forward a collage of photos from Emmanuel’s recent trip to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he attended recently and thoroughly enjoyed. The Department reached out to his mother, Glory, and her boys, to offer their deepest condolences. His brother Daniel brings forward his Manchester City shirt, a team he supported and loved. His brother John brings forward his Bible, for he was a boy of deep faith. Doreen brings forward the Certificate that Emmanuel was due to receive last Monday on his completion of his time recently at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
We are here to pray for the eternal repose of Emmanuel’s soul, that God, in his mercy, will hear the cries of his mother and we as his people. Like Mary the mother of Jesus, standing beneath the cross as we see it powerfully depicted here in the sanctuary, Glory has said how Emmanuel will always be her son, and she will always be his mother.
First Reading by Ayomide Kayola, Emmanuel’s cousin – a reading from the Acts of the Apostles
The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone.
The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common: they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed. They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone.
Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.
The word of the Lord.
Psalm Be Not Afraid (Choir of Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana)
Second Reading by Billy Banda, Leader of the African Community in Donegal – reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands.
One of the elders said, ‘These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and because they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb, they now stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his sanctuary; and the One who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.’
The word of the Lord.
Gospel proclaimed by Father Bradley – a reading from the holy Gospel according to John
Jesus said: ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Homily preached by Father Bradley
Many years ago, when I studied the Old Testament in university, we were asked to learn the names of all the Kings of Israel, dating back countless centuries. It seemed to be an impossible task and futile, for where was the point in learning all these ancient and impossible to pronounce names! And then, the Professor told us of the importance of a name – it captures so much, it expresses so many things succinctly, it is the way by which we know places and people; a name has an origin, a history, a dignity, and a priceless value.
Even lately, when a new Pope was chosen for us, while the very first question he was asked was, “Do you accept canonical election as Pope?”, immediately the second was, “By what name will you be known?” for there has been great interest in what his choice of name means, and what does it indicate about the intended path of his papacy.
In this part of the world, names are important, not least because with so many people bearing the same surname or family name, sometimes also the same Christian name or first name, other names have to be added to how they are referred to – maybe the names of a generation or two before them, their mother’s maiden name, or perhaps the place in which they live. All this is done to distinguish them and identify them clearly.
In the Yoruba culture, from which Emmanuel came as a citizen of Nigeria, names and naming ceremonies hold great significance and are considered an important aspect of a person’s identity and social status, influencing their destiny, and shaping their life’s journey.
Names are more than mere labels; they reflect the rich cultural heritage and beliefs of the Yoruba people.
Emmanuel Kolawole Familola was born on 17 April 2009, the eldest of the three boys to which his mother, Glory, gave birth; Daniel and John being his brothers in arms. As it happens, this year his birthday was on Holy Thursday – the day in Holy Week when the Church celebrates the birth of twin Sacraments: the Holy Priesthood and the Holy Eucharist; the two sacraments given us by God to guide, protect and feed his holy people. And how appropriate that was, for his names have great meaning. Emmanuel – the name of God we focus on in the season of Advent, for the prophet Isaiah foresaw how this would be the name of the Christ which would convey the sense of how “God is with us”. And Kolawole – the name which means, “he who brings high estate, wealth or good fortune into the house”.
This young man of noble bearing was indeed someone who brought a sense of God’s closeness to his people, who brought a wealth of joy and peace to his mother’s and his family’s heart; someone who, in a very priestly way, gently but effectively helped to guide, protect, and feed others in their needs.
Not only was Emmanuel his mother’s first-born son, but he was the eldest grandchild in his family circle too. He was precious – but not in the first world sense of being overly sensitive to his own needs or snappy and impolite; in fact, totally to the contrary – for it was he who looked out for other’s needs, was endlessly patient and kind, and so so respectful; such an attractive personality given the plethora of gifts and talents he possessed, and every one of them carried with gentle ease and good humour.
Perhaps without even being aware of it, Emmanuel sought out vulnerable kids in school, or more precisely they sought him out, drawn to his fun-loving heart, his warm smile, his sharp wit, and his great charisma. In Emmanuel, they found the shelter they needed amid the storms of life and living. He will be missed by so very many of his friends and contemporaries. He was a credit to his mother, his brothers, his family and his country – a true ambassador of hope, a witness to how we should never let the harsh experiences of life define us – but rather, that we must allow them to deepen our resolve and refocus our vision on being the person God himself has called us to be.
Emmanuel distinguished himself by his devotion of heart, by his courtesy, calmness and sense of gratitude for anything and everything he was given. An excellent student who always gave his best, he had a serene magnetism to him which crossed social, ethnic and cultural boundaries for his warmth and charisma spoke every language, touched every heart.
All of this has made the tragedy which befell himself and Matt Sibanda from Zimbabwe on Saturday evening last all the more difficult to comprehend, all the more painful for his family, for all of us and especially for his friends who were there and did their best to help. They appear to have been doing what young boys would – playing football and going into the water to retrieve the ball. Despite constant warnings, how were they really to know the real power and danger of the water, the destructive currents and forces which lay beneath the otherwise picture-perfect sea on a surreal afternoon; could any of us say we wouldn’t go into the water and risk it a little to make sure the fun would continue! None of us can judge the actions which led to such a calamitous tragedy. If hindsight were foresight, we’d all have insight!
Even Lough Swilly itself has another name – the Lake of Shadows, for the more you see of it, the more you realise how the light reflects differently on different parts of the water, at different times, and the result is a constantly changing landscape and mood on the water. Although the sun has been bright in the sky these days, the gloomy and foreboding shadow of death has hung over us all on the banks of this lovely lake. Again, the name conveys even the mood of our broken hearts. It is distressingly difficult for all of us to come to terms with this tragedy.
But could I say that the difficulty must be unbearable for those who did their best to save Emmanuel and Matt – the search crews from the RNLI and the coastguard, the flotilla of yachts who combed the lake, and most especially Ottman and Mohammed their friends who spent themselves in doing their very best for them.
The holy scriptures from which we have just read teach us very important truths about life and death. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us how the very early Church, in the immediate aftermath of the death of Christ, organised itself quickly, they remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers, and gave generously of themselves, sharing their food gladly; and as they praised God, they were looked up to by everyone.
Because of that, day-by-day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved. And isn’t that precisely what has been happening here since the events of Saturday evening last. That’s what’s happening here, on this side of the veil.
The second reading gives us a glimpse of what’s happening on the heavenly side: a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. The One who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
This is our prayer for Emmanuel, his mother Gloria, his brothers Daniel and John, all his family and friends, and all this Parish Community of Faith.
And why have we the confidence to harbour this hope, to express this otherwise impossible prayer? Because in the Gospel, Jesus assures us that his sheep listen to his voice, they follow him, and for that reason he gives them eternal life so that, although they may disappear from our sight, they will never be lost; no one can steal them from the Father for Jesus and the Father are one. This is our rock-solid faith, the bedrock of our hope.
To finish, Nigeria and Buncrana have something in common – they both take their names from the river which runs through them: Nigeria from the Niger river, and Buncrana meaning the mouth or the foot of the Crana River. Water therefore lies at the heart of their names, the heart of their origin and destiny. However deep and wide the waters of the Niger river are, however powerful and captivating the waters of the Crana river are, there is an altogether gentler yet even more impressive water which gives us all our sense of origin and destiny: the water of Baptism.
A few Sundays ago, on the Second Sunday of Easter, the Opening Prayer of Mass asked that God would kindle the faith of the people he has made his own and increase the grace he has bestowed, so that, “all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed.” In truth, Baptism forges a deep and lasting bond between us and God – a bond which not even death can break, a bond which by God’s grace, endures for eternity. Whilst water may have been the cause of Emmanuel’s death, bringing us unspeakable pain and sorrow, water too is what brings him and us the unshakable hope that, with the help of our prayers and the promised mercy of the eternal Father’s love, he is now with God in heaven. Water may have been what took him from us, but water too, in the bond of baptism, is what will bind us to him forever in the Communion of Saints.
May we all feel the peace which this hope gives to our souls. And may Emmanuel Kolawole Familola and Matt Sibanda both now rest in peace. Amen.
Prayer of the Faithful – prayed by four of Emmanuel’s friends from Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Father Bradley: Surrounded by the sorrow of death, as a believing people seeking solace and hope, let us turn to Christ, the Light of the world, who alone has the words of eternal life:
– Andrew Garvey-Williams: For Christ’s Church, the community of faith of which we are a part; that with your help, under the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit, and through the ministry also of Pope Leo, we may all live our lives in joyful hope. Lord, hear us.
– Kingsley Agoha: For family, neighbours and friends, here and in Nigeria, and for those who helped Emmanuel through their medical expertise and their care and friendship; that we may all be granted the graces we need to live life as we should. Lord, hear us.
– Fatiha Oyekanmi: For those who live with suffering and sickness, grief and loss – especially young people; that, like Emmanuel, a gifted Internetter, they may make the most of their gifts and the least of their worries. Lord, hear us.
– Sandra Agoha: For this community of hope, so often challenged by loss, especially of the young – may we always remember how, through our faith we have learned that more has been done and won by kindness than the world will ever know. Lord, hear us.
– Oso Olahekan: For all those good and special people whom Emmanuel called his friends and mates, for those with whom he hung out, and especially for his mother, Glory, and his brothers Daniel and John who loved him so much; ease their sorrowing hearts, guide and help them every day. Lord, hear us.
– Father Bradley: For Emmanuel, that through your merciful forgiveness, he may enjoy life to the full in heaven as he enjoyed life to the full on earth. We pray too for Matt Sibanda, and all the deceased members of our families; may we know their closeness to us and their prayer for us still in the Communion of Saints. Lord, hear us.
– Father Bradley: Father, your Son alone has the words of eternal life. He came that we might have life and have it to the full. Help us listen to his voice and act on his words, so that we may see how the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised, and the Good News is preached. Grant all our prayers through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Farewell blessing to the family: to mother Glory, to brothers: Daniel, John; to Uncle Oso; Cousins: including Ayomide; to neighbours and many friends from The Sailor’s Rest on the Shorefront, from Scoil Mhuire, from Buncrana Hearts FC and others from Ireland and from Nigeria (including those watching the Mass on the church webcam).
ENDS