|
|
Go into the whole world and preach the Good News
I want to thank all you who sent messages of condolence for my dear brother, Jim. However, I hope you won't be shocked when I say I have felt so happy and at peace since receiving news of his death. The whole past week I've felt full of gratitude and thanks to God for taking him quickly like that. (He dropped dead in his driveway when out for a little stroll after supper.) We had a memorial Mass in our chapel on Wednesday evening, celebrated by Fr John Boyd-Boland OFM, and it was a joyful Mass. In his homily Father stressed the very poor conditions that Father Jim encountered on his arrival in Japan. Nagasaki was flat, just rubble. The people were still trying to pick themselves up. The conditions were extreme, but the young priest was 25 and could handle anything! Many sisters and friends came to the Mass and everyone remarked at how lovely it was. Later we enjoyed a very happy meal and get together after it.
That same day, Fr Jim's body was laid out in St Mary's Church in Rotorua NZ for a Mass of Thanksgiving. The parishioners there wanted to claim Jim as he used to say morning Mass there as well as at St Michael's Church in Rotorua. After that Mass his body was taken to St Michael's for rosary that evening and the funeral Mass next day (Thursday) at 1.30pm. Both Masses were packed and people came from everywhere - Japan, Auckland, Evans Head, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, Waihi Beach and elsewhere. A 90 year old celebrity Japanese lady came from Japan, but she arrived just as the coffin was leaving the church. However, she'll be at the interment ceremony on Sunday at the graveside when his ashes are buried in a grave with my sister Agnes' body. Jim even had a headstone made while he was alive, and it's lovely. Fr Brian Vale (Columban) was the chief celebrant. The Bishop
sent his apologies and Fr Cyril Hally (a cousin) gave a lengthy eulogy,
talking about his and Jim's time together at St Kevin's College in
Oamaru NZ and their holidays on my cousin's farm in Timaru NZ. People
enjoyed his talk despite its length. Jerry, my brother, said the Mass
took about 2 hours. After Mass everyone went down to the crypt below
the church for afternoon tea and then back to my sister's house where
she said they had a really wonderful Thank you again for all your cards and letters of sympathy. I love you all, Cecilia. Even though so many people will miss Father Jim’s gentle presence, and the parish will miss his retirement apostolate of priestly ministry, the evident graces that have accompanied his passing give an indication of how it is when holy ones return to God.
Return to main Notes and News page
|
|
© Missionary Franciscan Sisters, Australian Governance Circle |
When Father James Norris, Columban, died on Saturday 6 October 2007,
it was the end of a life filled with the grace of his missionary call.
His sister, Cecilia, is a Missionary Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate
Conception based in Kedron, Brisbane, and so for many years we have heard
of his life of 56 years on mission in Japan. Last July Sister Cecilia
was able to attend Father Jim’s Diamond Jubilee of priesthood in
Rotorua, New Zealand for it was to here that he had retired some three
years previously. Now Cecilia takes up the story:
evening, with so many relatives
and friends they'd not seen for years. So everyone was happy after
it all, and I feel that's a proof that Jim's up in heaven and will
continue praying for our wayward family and eventually get us all up
there with our wonderful parents and brothers and sisters. 