Fr. Donie O’Connor gave this homily at Christ The King Church in Pleasant Hill, California where both he and Fr. Declan reside. Fr. Donie sang the words to “Whispering Hope” both with Fr. Declan in the rectory and to all in the church. When he finished his homily with the last stanza of the song and said “thank you Declan, Amen” the church burst into spontaneous applause.

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Homily/July 4th 2010:

 He strolled into the dining room, as usual at 6.15 pm sharp for dinner. He gently greets us and sits in his usual chair! Grace is swiftly said and we began to chat about the happenings of the day.

The latest results from the World Cup are the hot topic. Next comes a commentary on the golf. A typical parish house evening get -together! Good old kitchen table wisdom.

"You poor man, you have been working so hard," he said to me with a sigh.

"Not really, Declan," I said. " ‘Actually everyone is asking for you! They heard it is your 38th anniversary of priesthood."

"‘I forgot that, thanks for reminding me! O I do miss my people," Declan replied, with a deep and honest sincerity.

There was a little silence and then he spoke again, "It is all about hope."

"What do you mean Declan?"

"Well, I hoped I would get better and that time would be on my side.

"Now my hope is a different kind of hope, it is a hope, that all will be well as I enter into hospice care to prepare for my final homecoming."

I awkwardly glanced at him!

"Declan do you know the old hymn/song, ‘Whispering Hope’?" I murmured.

To my astonishment, he began to sing it …

"Soft as the voice of an Angel
Breathing a lesson unheard
Hope with a gentle persuasion, whispers her comforting word.
Wait till the darkness is over; wait till the tempest is done
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow
After the shower is gone’’

My friends, today we honour Independence Day and so we should.

But somehow my hero is all so accessible, local and so real. He is the one who witnesses with his wounds both inside and outside. Whose response to grave illness has been so dignified and noble.

John Powell, once wrote, "there are only 2 potential tragedies in life: dying young is not one of them. It is the tragedy to die and not to have loved those around you."

Declan does. He is only too aware that he is cradled and held by the genuine concern, care, prayers, affection and love, that spills over from all of you.

He is the one not afraid to show his scars: his vulnerability and his weary fatigue, the rapid weight loss and the nausea. The marks left by chemo: the broken nails and hairloss, the swollen feet and the dizziness. The rapid heart beat and the low blood pressure.

Yes, serious cancer steals all from us, but only if we allow it. You see God writes straight with crooked lines and sometimes cancer as terrible as it is gives more than it takes.

I glimpse in Declan these days a new meaning of soul, a new color, a new depth and a new wisdom.

In the wake of weeks of chemo, tests, scans tiredness and dashed hope: ordinary life, the bits and pieces, are now not taken for granted for a moment, even the taste of cool apple juice, which he loves, is relished with gratitude.

There is a new horizon in all things ordinary. Deep suffering and deep love no doubt deepen a soul and temper it like nothing else can.

Declan has moved away from public ministry: but he is still ministering in and through his suffering and silent witness, in a holy and powerful way.

There are no hard feelings or visible bitterness to be seen. He still remains beautifully ordinary, gentle, good hearted, humble, funny, serious, sharp, witty and wise.

Donie, ‘do you have a Latin missal’, he enquires with a glint in his eye!!

I nearly exploded in laughter, why? Because he was asking the wrong guy; I do not know one word of Latin. He wanted to say mass in Latin in his room.

Declan never ceases to stir the God within me. I have been in many different pastoral situations; however, what is happening within our home is the summit of mission and ministry. It defines today’s gospel. To be called is to be sent!

Declan is a living witness of the gospel lived out unselflessly for all to see. He also is a sign of how costly ministry can be.

He brings serenity and a grace to our home that I understand but cannot explain. He fills me with a sense of love.

He never complains, not once! Somehow there is this freedom, calmness and a grace about him. He still has the ability to lift others with his lived story of courage and perseverance.

On this special day of Independence, if there are badges of honour to be given out or hard won medals of distinction, let Declan be there in line.

If only for the impact he has on our lives, in terms of resilience and hope.

But above all because:he continues to teach us that love is more important than health and even life itself.

‘If in the dusk of the twilight, dim be the region a far…
Will not the deep- en- ing darkness
Brighten the glimmering star
Then when the night is upon us
Why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over,
watch for the breaking of day! …..

Thank you Declan!   Amen.