FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 15th – 22nd DECEMBER 2025
We’re getting towards the end of what has been a very challenging year. 2025 began with Father Justinian in hospital, and while he came home to us towards the end of January, it was only for a few days, he was then taken back to hospital and passed away on February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which was also the Church’s Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. As Father Justinian had spent over 72 of his 93 years as a consecrated religious, it seemed like a very appropriate day for him to peacefully slip away. A big crowd attended his funeral. I received his body into the church on February 13th, and our then Provincial, Father Jim Sweeney CP, celebrated his Requiem Mass on February 14th, which of course was Saint Valentine’s Day. I think Father Jus would have liked that, as he was a bit of an old romantic at heart. At the reception afterwards, in the Eagle Lodge, you could tell there was a close bond between Father Jus’s blood family and his religious family, which we have been happy to maintain since, with our Passionist community in Glasgow enjoying a couple of very nice Friday night meals at the home of his youngest brother, and his sister-in-law, on the south side. The company was great, as was the food, much better than our usual Friday night take-aways. The family then joined us for the annual November Mass for the deceased and we enjoyed a cuppa and a chat in the hall afterwards, along with all the other families who attended. Sadly, the year has drawn to a close with the death of Father Justinian’s other brother, the funeral only taking place today, 18th December, in Troon. May he rest in peace.
Not long after Father Jus’s death, while still dealing with all the legalities afterwards, my own dear younger brother passed away on 14th March. He is still so very much missed, and you may know from last week’s log that, having just completed all the legal duties in his regard, my older brother and myself recently celebrated his memory with a very nice Italian meal together and shared our stories, of which there were many. Listeners to Super Scoreboard on Radio Clyde may have heard that, shortly after that night out, my older brother, the doyen of Scottish sport’s journalists, donated £1,000 to Cash-For-Kids from our younger brother’s legacy on his behalf, which he would have liked, and it was a fitting tribute to his legendary goodness and kindness. From what I understand, it involved a bid for something to do with Ayr United, and will later entail a night out with Scott Brown (Broony) who is now of course the manager of Ayr United. I wonder will I be invited to that? The year for our extended family too has ended on a sad note. On the day of the November Mass for the deceased I left to go to the bedside of my cousin’s daughter who had just been diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer, which had also spread. At the bedside were her husband, her daughter, her-son-in-law, her baby-grandson, her brother, and others. I visited her the following day too, and then she passed away the next day again. She was such a beautiful person and a sad loss. Her funeral in Gourock last Saturday was a poignant affair, not least because, just a few days after her death, her mum (my cousin) also passed away. We still await details of her mum’s funeral. I know we have had the loss of some very significant people in both St Mungo’s and St Roch’s parishes this year, not forgetting the death of Pope Francis also, and I feel I can really empathise with all who grieve at this time of year, while still seeking that deeper joy that comes from celebrating the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ who, as a result of his Incarnation into our human frailty, has destroyed death and restored life as the true destiny of all who believe in him, and I take great hope and encouragement from that. Requiescat in Pace.
Of course, the second half of the year, since the beginning of June, has been marked by some health issues of mine, that are still ongoing. As a result of this I have been stepping back a bit, and I feel like John the Baptist, whose birth date I share, knowing that I must decrease now, and Father Gareth must increase, as the new parish priest. As for being not fit to undo his sandal straps, I can tell you that they are very, very big sandals, and I doubt if I would be able to bend down that far anyway. But I wish him well, and I can already see the love and support he is receiving from parishioners, and the new energy he is putting into his role. Father Tom also continues to settle in as the new rector, as well as delighting us with his culinary skills. We Passionists will of course be stepping over the threshold of a new house early in the year, and so, let’s see what 2026 has in store for all of us as we step over the threshold into a new year, and a new beginning. This is the last log for now, let’s see what happens going forward. Have a very Happy and Holy Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
We’re getting towards the end of what has been a very challenging year. 2025 began with Father Justinian in hospital, and while he came home to us towards the end of January, it was only for a few days, he was then taken back to hospital and passed away on February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which was also the Church’s Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. As Father Justinian had spent over 72 of his 93 years as a consecrated religious, it seemed like a very appropriate day for him to peacefully slip away. A big crowd attended his funeral. I received his body into the church on February 13th, and our then Provincial, Father Jim Sweeney CP, celebrated his Requiem Mass on February 14th, which of course was Saint Valentine’s Day. I think Father Jus would have liked that, as he was a bit of an old romantic at heart. At the reception afterwards, in the Eagle Lodge, you could tell there was a close bond between Father Jus’s blood family and his religious family, which we have been happy to maintain since, with our Passionist community in Glasgow enjoying a couple of very nice Friday night meals at the home of his youngest brother, and his sister-in-law, on the south side. The company was great, as was the food, much better than our usual Friday night take-aways. The family then joined us for the annual November Mass for the deceased and we enjoyed a cuppa and a chat in the hall afterwards, along with all the other families who attended. Sadly, the year has drawn to a close with the death of Father Justinian’s other brother, the funeral only taking place today, 18th December, in Troon. May he rest in peace.
Not long after Father Jus’s death, while still dealing with all the legalities afterwards, my own dear younger brother passed away on 14th March. He is still so very much missed, and you may know from last week’s log that, having just completed all the legal duties in his regard, my older brother and myself recently celebrated his memory with a very nice Italian meal together and shared our stories, of which there were many. Listeners to Super Scoreboard on Radio Clyde may have heard that, shortly after that night out, my older brother, the doyen of Scottish sport’s journalists, donated £1,000 to Cash-For-Kids from our younger brother’s legacy on his behalf, which he would have liked, and it was a fitting tribute to his legendary goodness and kindness. From what I understand, it involved a bid for something to do with Ayr United, and will later entail a night out with Scott Brown (Broony) who is now of course the manager of Ayr United. I wonder will I be invited to that? The year for our extended family too has ended on a sad note. On the day of the November Mass for the deceased I left to go to the bedside of my cousin’s daughter who had just been diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer, which had also spread. At the bedside were her husband, her daughter, her-son-in-law, her baby-grandson, her brother, and others. I visited her the following day too, and then she passed away the next day again. She was such a beautiful person and a sad loss. Her funeral in Gourock last Saturday was a poignant affair, not least because, just a few days after her death, her mum (my cousin) also passed away. We still await details of her mum’s funeral. I know we have had the loss of some very significant people in both St Mungo’s and St Roch’s parishes this year, not forgetting the death of Pope Francis also, and I feel I can really empathise with all who grieve at this time of year, while still seeking that deeper joy that comes from celebrating the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ who, as a result of his Incarnation into our human frailty, has destroyed death and restored life as the true destiny of all who believe in him, and I take great hope and encouragement from that. Requiescat in Pace.
Of course, the second half of the year, since the beginning of June, has been marked by some health issues of mine, that are still ongoing. As a result of this I have been stepping back a bit, and I feel like John the Baptist, whose birth date I share, knowing that I must decrease now, and Father Gareth must increase, as the new parish priest. As for being not fit to undo his sandal straps, I can tell you that they are very, very big sandals, and I doubt if I would be able to bend down that far anyway. But I wish him well, and I can already see the love and support he is receiving from parishioners, and the new energy he is putting into his role. Father Tom also continues to settle in as the new rector, as well as delighting us with his culinary skills. We Passionists will of course be stepping over the threshold of a new house early in the year, and so, let’s see what 2026 has in store for all of us as we step over the threshold into a new year, and a new beginning. This is the last log for now, let’s see what happens going forward. Have a very Happy and Holy Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
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