Sunday, August 2, 2009
Everytime I walked past him in church, he would definitely be humming a song or be looking down, deep in thought. If I greeted him and said, "Hello Father." He would definitely give a cheerful reply.
He was the one priest whom had an entire head of white hair, other than Father Gerard Keane, and I always wish I could ruffle his hair, because it was so silky white.
He was probably the only Jesuit priest who still wore a cassock (white robes) with two pieces of cloth hanging out near his waist. I used to laugh whenever I saw it, until someone explained its significance to me.
I remember he used to come to CJC to celebrate masses, taking over Father Les when he went overseas. Sometimes, he would repeat stuff and I would just giggle at a corner. He was absolutely adorable and cute.
His homilies were always so interesting. It was out of the world. He would explain a scene of angels with such details that it seemed so real. My friend once told me that he talked about the smell of animal feed in the manger when Jesus was born.
Now, all these would just be memories hidden in the deep of my brain. For he is no more.
Father Tom O'Neill passed away a few days ago suddenly but peacefully. I didn't expect this at all, but I guess when the Lord calls you home, there is no waiting. Father James told us yesterday at the wake that when he went into his room, Father O'Neill's face looked so so peaceful, although his eyes were open, a sign that he probably saw the angels of heaven or Jesus, just before he breathed his last.
He had just had his 54th ordination anniversary on the 29th of July 2009. And he left one day later. Probably to celebrate the feast of St. Ignatius together with him in heaven on the 31st. Something in which I choose to believe myself. =)
I went for his wake on 1st August with my Youth Council friend Sherman, and I realised that the atmosphere was not a very sombre and sad one. Yes, there were people crying during the prayer service (especially the photo montage), but I felt that it was more of a celebration of his beautiful and wonderful life, rather than the fact that he passed on. It was amazing! A different feeling from the other wakes that I have attended. I felt that this was a little miracle of his even though he is not here on Earth. He layed so peacefully in his coffin and although I was sad that we have lost such a great man, I was happy that he was with the Lord.
(Sherman couldn't stop eating the chicken wings at the buffet table. he probably ate around 20 plus chicken wings, plus 3 cups of mineral water and 2 cups of orange juice)
Thanks Father O'Neill for all your love and music and cheerfulness. I will miss you....
Father Thomas Aidan O'Neill, S.J.
30 Jan 1924-30 July 2009
- Goodbye Father O'Neill
by snoopy_lim @ 8:57 PM