Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Mass of Christian Burial for Fr Denis Christopher Callahan
St Agatha’s Catholic Church, Pennant Hills
6 February 2020
Just a little over two months ago, I visited Fr Denis in his room at McQuoin Park. Fr Robert
Borg accompanied me. Our first meeting was pleasant, to say the least. I was delighted to
meet the man of whom so many had spoken so highly. Within minutes, we settled to an easy
conversation.
It was delightful to see how Fr Robert interacted with Fr Denis, as old friends and brother
priests. As the newly appointed Bishop of Broken Bay, I thought to myself, if this is how the
clergy care for each other, then I am indeed blessed. I believe that when priests have brotherly
care and affection for each other, then the People of God are in good hands.
At the end of our visit, Fr Robert and I prayed together with Fr Denis and then we took our
leave.
On Thursday of last week, I returned to visit Fr Denis, this time with Fr Peter de Souza. The
circumstances were very different. This time Fr Denis mustered only a few words. He was
wearied by the burden of age. Nevertheless, it was again beautiful to see Fr Peter caring for
Fr Denis, as he made sure that he had cool water to quench his thirst.
With the Oil of the Sick, I anointed Fr Denis and once more we prayed the Lord’s Prayer
together. The words were slowly spoken, as we adjusted to the pace that our elderly brother
had set. It was a privileged moment – listening to Fr Denis pray each word, with an intensity
and devotion that I have rarely heard or seen.
They were words offered to our heavenly Father by one of our earthly spiritual fathers. They
were words that summed up a lifetime of Christian discipleship and priestly service by one
whose faith and hope rested in the Lord Jesus.
Today we come together to pray for Fr Denis Christopher Callahan, whose life as we know it
has come to an end. His life has spanned more years than most of us are able to remember.
It is a life which was spent in humble service of family and friends, and most importantly a life
spent in loving priestly service of God and of God’s holy people.
Lord, welcome our brother to Paradise
and help us to comfort each other
with the assurance of our faith.
The words from the Prophet Isaiah that we have listened to this morning, paint for us a picture
of paradise (Isaiah 25:6-9). It is a time without tears or shame; it is a time that never knows the
darkness of death. The Prophet reminds us that on God’s mountain, the banquet is bountiful
and rich. It is the eternal day of healing and new life. It is the time of salvation. The Scripture
also reminds us that, through Jesus, we have come to trust in God, who raised him from the
dead and gave him glory, so that our faith and hope are set on God (1Peter 1:21).
It was precisely this that Fr Denis held to firmly throughout his life and ministry, and most
especially in his final days among us.
The visionary words from John, in the Book of the Apocalypse, are easily transferred to Fr
Denis, whose good deeds and happy death in the Lord, have led him to rest in the arms of
our loving God. Of course, the good deeds to which John refers in our Second reading are
not merely of our doing. Rather they define who we are. It was Christ who went around
doing good (Acts 10:38).
He is the Good Shepherd who knows and cares for his sheep (John 10:14-15). Through His death
and resurrection, we have been freed from sin and restored to God (Romans 6:22). Jesus defines
goodness, because he alone is good. Through our configuration to Christ in Baptism, we are
good in His image. Our good deeds are His.
My sisters and brothers, Fr Denis knew this, and he believed it. In the waters of baptism,
Denis was washed clean of sin and incorporated into Christ. Through the anointing of priestly
ordination, Fr Denis was configured more deeply to Christ the Good Shepherd and High
Priest.
Believing that Jesus Christ is what he called himself – the Way, the Truth, and the Life – he
put all his hope in him.
Together as disciples of the Lord, we commend our brother Denis to the love and mercy of
Christ, for he is our light and truth. It is only hope in Him that explains our being here today.
May Christ Jesus now welcome our brother Denis to paradise.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
and may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.