ather Peter McGrath, a very human, Irish, Passionist priest of 49 years presided over the ‘Celebration of the Life’ of Sean Sullivan at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Randwick today.
Father Peter knows first hand of the battles we all can have with addictions. He confesses of the start of his recovery from personal battles with drink at age fifty-five, only after he drove into an ironbark tree at 120 kms an hour, and survived.
Father Peter McGrath SPE
Father Peter comforted Sean’s parents, Dennis and Kathryn Sullivan, his close friends of many years, and the many friends in the congregation, with his homily. He paralleled Sean’s difficulties in life with the challenges Jesus experienced throughout his short life on this earth, ending with his Passion, and being born to new life in his Resurrection.
Like the father’s welcome showered on the Prodigal Son returning home, Father Peter reassured us all that God was there with a cloak to wrap around Sean’s shoulders, and welcome him home. Sean’s suffering is over. His spirit is alive, and he will in turn watch over us.
Click here to listen to Father Peter’s down-to earth, touching homily.
Sean's Final Blessing - Father Peter, Dennis and Kathryn
I extend my condolences to my friend Dennis and his family.
FATHER PETER IS A MEMBER OF THE PASSIONISTS ORDER OF PRIESTS
A Passionist Heart
A Passionist Heart
A
life giving gift, our Charism - experiencing the Passion of Jesus – draws us into the Heart of God. It enables us to be who we are, and is the foundation of all that we do. For it is by entering into the pain and suffering of Jesus that we are strengthened to enter into our pain and suffering, and so we are able to stand with others in theirs.
Hi Michael,
Thank you so very very much on behalf of all our family for this wonderful memory. I’m sure we will often return to it.
Sean is with God and with those who went before him who loved him so dearly.
We will see him again one day and we will rejoice.
I don’t have the right words to thank you enough…Love…Dennis