Homily at the Reception of Dano Conroy. Our community comes together in a common bond. Shocked, saddened, in a state of dis-belief. People have literally come from the four corners of the world – such was the man Dano Conroy was. As a mark of respect, his team mates from Redmondstown FC formed a guard of honour here tonight. His family have been truly overwhelmed and are grateful for those who, all day, called in to pay their respects. His former teachers from school, his team mates, and members of teams he played against, and his very many friends. All of this speaks volumes that no words could even try to extend. In my homily, I try and make sense of the senseless- to give hope when we feel all hope is gone – to give encouragement when there appears to be a void of nothingness deep in our hearts. Dano Conroy has brought us together here tonight to support one another and pray for his mam, Niamh, his dad John, sisters Aoife & Amy, and his many family and friends. Tonight is very difficult for all of us as a community – and I include us priests and myself in that community. Usually funerals happen to older people For many of them, this is after a long life well lived – perhaps in many ways a release when someone has been ill for a long time. But this funeral, for someone so young – so full of life – with so much to live for – there is a cruel sentiment and all our feelings - and our heads - are mixed up. It is very hard at the best of times for me, as a priest, to say a few words at any funeral – its even a greater challenge when I knew the person and his family so well, for so long. I know as well that many of you in his circle of friends – we have been here before. That adds to the pain and rekindles our past grief and pain. I suppose its fair to say that you have – all of you have been feeling shocked, numbed, in a state of disbelief since Tuesday morning! I know I have. When I received the call, I openly admit it, I froze for a couple of minutes. I couldn’t believe it! Not him! Why him? When a sudden death occurs – its like there is a power cut and the lights go out. We look for any kind of light Even our mobile phones or a candle in a drawer It’s never at a convenient time There is shock, disbelief, and the body feels shaken. In this darkness, many of you rightly might ask – Where is God in all of this? Just as in the Gospel we just read Mary says to Jesus Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died and Christs humanity is shown in two simple words - the shortest line in the bible. Jesus wept. Jesus knows death and has known the pain and suffering it causes. Our faith in shaken – and for many of us, we wonder does God care for us at all – for his family and friends who are left devastated? I want to assure you of one thing – God is here- He is always here – and He will always be here. How do I know this? The Cross! God gave us his only son who died and rose again. It was His promise that those who live good lives, and who lives by the Gospel, that we believe, in faith, that Dano has gone to his heavenly reward. And the darkness is illumined by the Paschal candle by his coffin. (EXPLAIN) The modern way of paying tribute to someone these days is on Facebook – and to see the hundreds of messages of love, respect and sharing so many funny memories will help all of us in the days ahead. It is these memories which whenever we are feeing low – will help bring us out of that darkness. Indeed, if you didn’t know Dano and you saw the pictures of his life on his Facebook page – he is someone you would want as a friend because- he was just so wacky, crazy, spontaneous, funny, mad and – for some strange reason – looked well when he dressed up! Ronald McDonald being my favourite one of him. The one with his dody which is with him, being one of the crazy ones. And I can’t mention some of the photos of course here tonight! But suffice to say – they were very very colourful! You may not know this little known fact about Dano. I’ve known him for a long time – and he was once in a choir! He sang at Mass in SS Peter & Pauls School – and he was a very good singer! Then his voice broke. Then he was a very bad singer! Whenever I saw him, he always stopped for a chat – and he always had me laughing. He’d put you in a good mood - whether you wanted to be in a good mood or not! And I will never forget his support to me and my family when Boris died in 2010. He really helped all of us with the arrangements and for that act of kindness, we will be always grateful for. Of course there was one thing I had a problem with Dano. I had the same with Boris. And I can sum it up in one simple word! Liverpool! Yet, in memory of Dano, and as I posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday – I’ll give him that result against United on Sunday! Go on the ‘Pool! They are my memories of Dano – if you all shared your memories this evening we’d be here for a very long time. But my advice to all of you is this: look after each other – and share those happy memories. Pray for Dano and in exactly one month today – 20 April – it will be Easter Sunday theday of the Lords Resurrection and our faith that he is safe in the arms of Jesus. Remember that Dano has left us, to go to his heavenly reward. He has returned home on a journey we must all one day take- for Dano – his time is now. We thank God for giving all us the privilege of knowing and having Dano Conroy in our lives. Unfortunately, I cannot be here for Dano’s funeral tomorrow – but I want to assure Niamh, John and all the family, that my morning Mass tomorrow will be for Dano and all the faithful departed. If any of you ever need to talk, or find this very difficult in the days or weeks ahead, don’t hesitate to contact someone, or me either face to face or by Facebook for a chat. I will be posting these words on Danos page later in the hope that it will give you some solace and comfort in the days ahead. We will never get over his death – but we will journey through our loss together. I promise to be there for all of you – and you - be there for each other. As for you Dano – thank you for being a light in our lives – who made us laugh when we were down, and for simply being – as many of your friends have described you on the tributes that have been pouring in and can be summed up in one easy sentence: –‘Dano Conroy - Simply a Legend’! May You Never Walk Alone – and may you now Rest in Peace Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 22:07:26 +0000
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