HOMILY FOR THE REQUIEM MASS OF MONSIGNOR THOMAS WYNNE

ST MARY’S, FORT WILLIAM 28^th FEBRUARY 2020

I love the image in today’s Psalm that just as a deer yearns for running water so our soul yearns for God. We are no stranger to the cold and the rain so I suppose we lose a little of the image but for those living in a hot country like Israel the image would be very powerful. In an arid terrain the deer needs water for survival. Furthermore, it seeks running water for its purity and not stagnant water. The people who prayed this psalm could easily picture the deer naturally and even desperately searching for running water to quench its thirst. Likewise we need God. God created us in love to be with him. It is natural for us to be with God. God alone can satisfy our deepest needs. God is the eternal spring dwelling within us which will well up into Eternal Life. He refreshes us from within, by his mysterious yet powerful presence. God alone is our source of life and joy, our destiny.

Yesterday we celebrated Ash Wednesday during which we admitted that we were sinners but that God’s mercy and love is greater. Today we recognise that, like us all Tommy was a sinner and in need of forgiveness but as we pray for him we do so with great confidence and trust.

We also ask the Lord to reward Fr Tom for his goodness. In our Second Reading, from the Book of the Apocalypse, we heard a message from heaven and so divine in origin and therefore true – “blessed are those who die in God. They will be rewarded for their good deeds”. Let us therefore commend our brother Tommy’s deeds to the Lord.

Faith was so important to Tommy. Baptised here in St Mary’s in 1930, as a youngster he felt the Lord calling him to the priesthood. He then left home to study at St Mary’s, Blairs before attending Senior Seminary at St Sulpice in Parish. He was ordained as priest here in St Mary’s on 15^th June 1957.

As we all know Tommy served in active ministry for an incredible 60 years. He served in

St Columba’s Cathedral 1957-1965

St Andrew’s, Rothesay 1965-66

Our Lady and St Columba, Kingussie 1966-1968

St Columba’s Cathedral 1968-1985

St Mary’s, Arisaig 1985-1996

St Margaret’s, Roy Bridge 1996-2017

Everyone talks of his incredible work ethic shown, for example, in his willingness to travel large distances to celebrate Mass and the Sacraments.

Yet Tommy’s priesthood would not be restricted to ritual. In our First Reading Isaiah proclaims that God’s love is universal. Tommy strove to be open to all. He showed great compassion, could effortlessly cross generations, built ecumenical links and had a great sense of fun. He had a gift of making people feel good and I always felt encouraged after meeting him – and I know that I was not the only one. He used music and even IT to reach out and evangelise.

He encouraged devotion to St Mary McKillop, and this, and his friendship, has been acknowledged by the Josephite sisters.

Tommy also offered his talents for the diocese. As well as being a member of the Cathedral Chapter, he served in the administration of the diocese and was also the RE Advisor on Highland Council where he nurtured relationships and was able to have a positive influence.

Nor was his contribution limited to Church circles. An avid believer in keeping communities alive he was Chair of Lochaber Housing Association with a particular interest in caring for young families, the disabled, single parents and the poor.

Tommy’s retirement Mass was celebrated in St Margaret’s, Roy Bridge – the 60^th anniversary of his Ordination. However, he wasn’t finished yet and, apart from sometimes playing the organ here, he continued to celebrate Mass in various parishes when needed, aided by Deacon Tom.

Of course, his faith naturally flew into a love of his family: his mum Margaret and dad Lachie, his two brothers and his sister Helen, who although she died as a baby, he never forgot. That love then flew into the next generations for whom he was a wonderful loving uncle and Great Uncle.

As we commend Tommy to the Lord we also pray for his family. Various generations grew up with their Uncle Tom. They had so much fun with him. He retired to his nephew’s, Deacon Tom Wynne and his wife Sheena. The diocese is very grateful for their (and the wider family’s) care of Tommy. However, this new chapter in Uncle Tom’s life also became a special time for his nephews and nieces. Loosing someone who has always been part of your lives is painful and so we pray for you. May you be encouraged by the example of the bereaved Martha in our Gospel who, despite Lazarus’ death, still trusted in Jesus.

Thirdly, let us pray also for ourselves. God loves us so much and he alone can satisfy our deepest needs. As St Augustine taught: “Our souls are restless, O Lord, until they rest in you.” As we go through life, let us model ourselves on the deer yearning for running streams – may we too constantly yearn  for God.

Let me finish quoting the third verse of today’s psalm:

“These things will I remember as I pour out my soul:
How I would lead the rejoicing crowd into the House of God,
Amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving,
The throng wild with joy.”

Tom spent his life leading countless people to God, who will have received comfort, peace and hope. May his example inspire and comfort us today. We ask the Lord to lead Fr Tom into heaven and, that those he helped and are already in God’s Loving and Eternal Home, will welcome him “wild with joy”.