Page 7 - LOTN Autumn Issue 54 2023

DIOCESE
A fond farewell to Fr Patrick Rice SJ

Parishioners of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Inverurie turn out in force for a farewell barbecue for Fr Patrick Rice SJ
Mass was celebrated at the Church of the perhaps we could use a more modern analogy. Well, relatively
Immaculate Conception in Inverurie on Sunday, modern.
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A 27 August, marking the retiral of Fr Patrick Rice If our information sources are correct, you were born in Malta
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SJ who has served the Diocese of Aberdeen for the last 19 on the 27 December, 1942. Malta at that time was just about
years. After Mass, at a farewell barbecue, a moving address surviving the most horrendous period in its history. Positioned
was given by parishioner Joe McCanns: mid-way between Italy and North Africa, it played a vital role
"Fr Patrick, we could not allow this special occasion to pass in disturbing and destroying the Axis supply to North Africa.
without saying a few words of thanks to you before you depart But boy, it paid one heck of a price. Being only a short flying
for warmer and almost certainly drier climates ...To say farewell, distance from airbases in Italy and North Africa, it was pounded
to say thank you for being with us and leading us during the last from the air, relentlessly. Indeed, the island was on its knees and
11 years – yes, doesn’t time fly when you are enjoying oneself! food supplies were desperately short.
And of course, how can we not celebrate this magnificent One last effort was made to supply the island with much
occasion of your well-earned and most merited retirement. needed food and fuel. A convoy of 14 merchant ships was
So, what can we say to mark this occasion. Nineteen years in assembled. It was to be escorted by a huge number of Royal Navy
the Diocese of Aberdeen. Eleven years as our parish priest. And ships – which included 24 destroyer escorts. It left Gibraltar on
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51 years, yes 51 years since being ordained a priest. 11 August, 1942, and arrived in Malta on 15 August. Of the
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You have often talked about the role of shepherds at the 14 merchant ships, five survived, but enough to refurbish the
time of Christ. So, should we compare you to being a Good island with much needed fuel and food. It marked the turning
Shepherd? I think we can, but somehow, we have a slight point in the island's fight for survival.
problem with using that analogy. You see, in explaining how the A significant feature of the convoy was the protection given
first people to be told about the birth of Christ were Shepherds, by the 24 destroyer escorts. And there lies the analogy of your
you explained how it was good, simple people who were first work with us, Fr Patrick. You have been our convoy protection
told the news, not kings or high priests. You talked about the on our journey through the sea of life. Like those destroyers
shepherd’s role and how they knew their sheep, and how the going to Malta you have been present alongside us. Guiding us
sheep knew their shepherd. Yes, indeed you certainly fit the role in our convoy in fair weather or foul. Always ready to nudge us
of a good shepherd in how you have exercised your vocation in in the right direction when needed or to offer words of wisdom
this parish. But alas, we can’t use that analogy. You see, you also and words of encouragement. Ready to offer advice or to
described the tough life that shepherds led – including the fact provide spiritual nourishment. Encouraging us to go faster, or
that they probably never washed and might smell pretty badly. slower. Sometimes leading from the front, sometimes pushing
So, I won’t make that comparison. However, I did think that us from the back. Indeed, sometimes even dropping a depth

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