Father Ted Murphy - Requiscat in Pace

What is it like to see an angel and be touched by one…? All those that knew Father Murphy can answer that question clearly…

I am sure that if each one of us think hard and/or cast our minds back there will surely be an example, an incident, a piece of advice or information that Father Ted gave you whereby you can say that God clearly has sent us one of his angels.

A man of Ministry and a true man of God...

A friend and fellow priest, a truthful, gentle, warm and often funny man...

A man loved by us all...

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It was truly an honour and a privilege to be with members of his family and amongst his friends, fellow priests (Including Bishop Ian) and parishioners in Roy Bridge last Thursday, 12th June for his Requiem Mass and burial.

Some of us travelled the 6-hour journey by car the day before and stayed over in the Highlands for the acceptance of his body the night before and the prayers were led by Father McCourt.

Others (like me) left Blyth at 4.30am on Thursday and drove up to St. Margaret’s Church in Roy Bridge for the Requiem Mass. The main Parish Church is situated in the centre of the village of Roy Bridge. The church is dedicated to Saint Margaret, and Queen, wife of Malcolm III (Canmore) King of Scots in the latter part of the 11th century.

Her spiritual influence was to change her husband, by her example, so that he became a devout and good man. She established monasteries as powerhouses of prayer, rebuilt the Abbey of Iona and was a champion of the poor, the sick and the outcast.

To some the journey may seem like a long one, but knowing that we would be amongst his family and friends for the day made the journey time all worthwhile.

We arrived in Roy Bridge at 10.30am and after a quick bite to eat we made the short walk to the church to be met by Father Tom Wynne who would lead the Mass. We also met up with Father McCourt who would concelebrate and took our placed in the church.

What a lovely church it was and by 11.30 when the coffin entered the church to have the Sacramental, Stole and Chalice placed upon it, the seats were filling fast. By 12.00 noon the church was packed with family members, friends, some 21 priests from the local Diocese, Bishop Ian Murray and members from our own parishes of Blyth and Cowpen.

We each had our service sheet, which I am sure we will treasure for many years to come and we bagan with the opening hymn “I watch the sunrise lighting the sky”.

The first reading was given by Father Ted’s brother, Pat from the Book of Wisdom 4:7-15 and the second by his Niece Deidre, 1Cor. 13:1-13.

The Gospel was read by the Father Ted’s own Parish Priest from Fort William and there was not a dry eye in the church. Such a wonderful sermon and recount of Father Ted’s life and his works.

Our offertory hymn was “Gifts of Bread and Wine” followed by Communion where Alex played the Violin Solo and Gounod’s Ave Maria.

After the Communion Hymn of “Be still and know that I am God” we sang the final hymn “O' Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder” and the recess that was played on the violin by Alex was “Going home, going home, I’m a going home” A poignant and fitting finish to the Mass since Father Ted truly was, “home” at last, back in the place where he grew up and served Mass as recently as Maundy Thursday – At last he was “home”

The burial took place on a hillside in Cille Choirill. The hill where St. Cairell had his cell is named after him in Gaelic, Cille Choirill, and is about 2km from Roy Bridge. It is very sacred to the people, and has a 15th century church in his honour and an ancient burial ground.

A lone piper led the procession up and over a small hill onto another hillside where the views were simply breathtaking. The piper then took his place up on the hill and played alone while Father Ted was laid to rest while Bishop Ian read the prayers.

His final resting place is one that conjured up memories of films that we all see on TV, where we believe that places like these simply do not exist – I can tell you that they do and they did on this day so that Father Ted could rest back in his home.

He will be sadly missed by all of us and tears will be shed for some time to come but if we believe in angels, then we can say that we have been touched by one in Father Ted.

May he rest in the eternal peace of Christ forever and we look forward to seeing him again when God comes to call us too, back to our own "home".

One of the poems shared with us on the Mass sheet read…

I think that this sums up Father Ted Murphy very well…

RCWebmaster

COME WITH ME…

The Lord saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put his arms aroud you and whispered, "Come with me."

With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer and saw you fade away, although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, a beautiful smile at rest, God broke our hearts to prove He only takes the best.

It's lonesome here without you and we miss you so each day, our lives aren't the same since you went away.

When days are sad and lonely, and everything goes wrong, we seem to hear you whisper, "Cheer up and carry on."

Each time we see your picture, you seem to smile and say, "Don't cry, I'm in God's keeping and we'll meet again someday."

I'M FREE

 

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I'm following the path God has chosen for me. I took His hand when I heard him call; I turned my back and left it all.

 

I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I've now found peace at the end of day.

 

If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joys. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; oh yes, these things, I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

 

My life's been full, I savoured much; good friends, good times, a loved ones touch. Perhaps my time seems all to brief; don't lengthen your pain with undue grief. Lift up your heart and peace to thee, God wanted me now...

He set me free