The "Mass of the Resurrection" of Bishop Barry Wood OMI was celebrated yesterday (13 May 2017) at the Royal Showground (Pietermaritzburg) and presided by Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM.
Card. Napier welcomed all to the celebration of the "life and ministry" of Bp. Barry on behalf of a "shocked and truly bereaved Archdiocese of Durban, the metropolitan province of Durban and indeed the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC). To say we have suffered a grievous blow, is an understatement. Those who worked closely with Bp Barry feel as if we have lost not only our right hand or even our right arm... we lost a heart that was full of passion for Jesus and his church, a heart that was full of compassion for the poor and the needy especially the little ones".
Special announcement during Mass
"Many parishes have already indicated that they were preparing farewell gifts for Bishop Barry as he headed for retirement. A special collection will therefore be taken on a Sunday in May and at the Requiem Mass. The proceeds will be lodged with the funds which he had dedicated for use for the poor and needy"
Homily
by Archbishop Buti Thlagale OMI (archdiocese of Durban)
"In the Gospel of John, we read that Phillip found Nathanael and said to him, "come and see". When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him: "There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit" (Jn 1:47). For me, this image summarizes the personality of Bishop Barry. He was a towering giant, soft spoken for a man of his size. I have often heard the word 'gravitas' tossed about. Now here was a man, a priest with a spiritual gravitas, always self-effacing and treating others with warmth that spontaneously came from his heart."
Click HERE to download Archbishop Thlagale's homily
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