Fr Denis Marmion (1930-2014)
Father Denis was born on 20th November 1930 in Birkenhead. He was educated at St Gerard’s in Bray, Co. Wicklow, and at Ushaw Junior Seminary (1942-49) before continuing his studies for the priesthood at the Venerable English College, Rome (1949-56). He was ordained in Rome on 27 November 1955.
His first appointment was as assistant priest in St Joseph’s, Stockport (1956-58), followed by St Mary’s, Dukinfield (1958-60), St Alban’s, Macclesfield (1960-63), and St Peter’s, Hazel Grove (1963-70). In 1970 he was appointed parish priest of Our Lady of the Rosary, Donnington (1970-78) followed by St Mary’s, Middlewich (1978-87), Our Lady’s, Birkenhead (1987-96), and St Winefride’s, Sandbach (1996-2001).
Father Denis was appointed Judge on the Diocesan Tribunal in 1979, a post he continued to actively fulfil right to the end. |  |
Requiem Homily 22nd August 2014 Canon Phil Moor, VG
We all feel a great sense of loss, but today particularly this loss is felt I know by Denis’ family, his brothers John and Vin and his nieces and nephews and all the family. In the midst of our sadness we are offered consolation through faith in Christ and his resurrection to eternal life. We offer our support to Denis’ family and to one another as we pray for him that he may have eternal life. We come together in prayer and we find strength in Christ’s presence. We listen to God’s word as the source of faith and hope, as light and life in the face of darkness and death. Consoled by the redeeming word of God and the presence of Christ we call upon the Father of mercy to receive Denis into the Kingdom of light and peace as we celebrate his Requiem Mass today.
Denis as always had prepared meticulously for his funeral choosing the hymns and readings for us. The Gospel reading today is the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. I think we can understand how the disciples felt, they were sad and dejected because Jesus who had filled their lives with hope and meaning was dead, and the nature of his violent death added to the sorrow that they were experiencing.
Then as they were walking along Jesus joined them, he encouraged them to talk and he listened as they poured out the whole story to him. The end of the story signified the end of everything for them.
Having listened attentively Jesus then took up the story from where they had let off and explained the scriptures to them, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as we as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’ they said.
Rather than being the end the disciples came to understand that the death of Jesus was the fulfilment of his life, ‘Was it not ordained, ‘necessary’ that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?’
It was as they shared a meal together as Jesus took the bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and handed it to them that their eyes were opened and the disciples recognised the Risen Jesus as the one who had accompanied them on their journey.
We tell Denis’ story today, he was born in Birkenhead in 1930 and in 1939 the family moved to Northern Ireland. Having been at the junior seminary at Ushaw from 1942 Denis was chosen to go to the Venerable English College in Rome in 1949. This was a very different seminary experience to Ushaw. Denis sailed through his examinations and saw his time in Rome as a precious gift, he loved the city, its architecture and its cultural beauty. He remained captivated by them throughout his life, and he delighted in returning there. I know he was hoping to organise another pilgrimage to Rome.
In 1952 as a seminarian he travelled with two friends to the Holy Land and although he returned on several occasions it was that first visit walking in the footsteps of Christ that made such a deep impression on him.
At College he was popular and much loved by his fellow-students, who found his self-deprecating humour attractive. He always stayed in touch with them and was a keen member of the Roman Association for former students at the English College.
He was ordained in Rome on the 27th November 1955, and remained at the Venerabile to complete his studies.
He returned to the Diocese the following year to begin his pastoral ministry as curate in Stockport, then Dukinfield, Macclesfield, and Hazel Grove. Denis was a people person he was a kindly and caring priest and wherever he was people came to love him. Parishioners never forgot him and he maintained friendships from his various parishes all his life.
Happy, holy, warm, humble, wonderful, accommodating, spiritual, character, fun, gentleman, generous, always had time for people – words that have been used by various parishioners to describe Denis to me over the last week or so.
Above all Denis was a holy man, a man of prayer and deep spirituality. In retirement he lived only a short distance from St Winefride’s Church in Neston. Each day began with an hour and a half in church spent in celebrating mass in leading morning prayer and in private adoration. He would return to the church later in the day, for a further time of prayer. All this was a continuation of his spiritual life as curate and parish priest. As Bishop Mark reminded us last night the Eucharist was right at the heart of Denis’ life, right at the centre of Denis’ daily life.
From the 1990’s especially he was an avid reader of Julian of Norwich and other classical writers, he left an unfinished booklet about her that I know John is planning to finish off for him.
Denis retired in 2001, but it did not stop him. He loved to supply, to celebrate mass in parishes where the priest was away, not just in this Diocese I believe but also in North Wales. He loved supplying, being with people and not having the responsibility of parish administration. He was an Honorary Chaplain of Chester Cathedral, showing visitors round or spending time with them in prayer. He was a volunteer worker in the beautiful Ness Gardens. In St Winefride’s parish he organised a Scripture Group and a Prayer Group. He was a determined man, a doer and he got things done.
Since 1979 Denis has been a judge on the Marriage Tribunal and I know having spoken to Canon John Gordon that Denis was very faithful to this role for the last 35 years. He was meticulous as always and could be relied upon. Denis had great pastoral concern for the people in all the cases that he was called to judge, the emphasis for Denis was on pastoral consideration and not legalism.
His interests included a love for animals …… one goat, two cats and three dogs …. mercifully not at the same time! He loved gardening, walking, music, golf, cricket and Manchester United.
But most of all he loved people and he loved God.
Denis had a great love of the Psalms and frequently prayed psalm 137 – “I thank you Lord with all my heart; in the presence of the angels I will bless you; I thank you for your faithfulness and love.”
Denis believed that Jesus died “to gather together into one the scattered children of God.” At the Last Supper Jesus prayed, “May they all be one, just as Father you are in me and I am in you.” Christ will be the Head with everything “in the heavens and everything on earth” united to Him in love. Denis saw his life and his priesthood as part of that coming together in divine love.
Throughout his life Denis journeyed with the Lord by his side. We pray for Denis today as he comes to the end of his earthly journey that like the disciples in the Gospel and through the mercy of God he may experience the glory of the Lord in all its fullness and enjoy that divine love.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him may he rest in peace, Amen.
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Although Denis had been ill his sudden death I know came as a shock to us all, coming so closely after the death of Fr Peter Robertson; in the space of a few days the Diocese lost two good and faithful priests and servants.
He was meticulous in everything he did. After fourteen years as a curate he was appointed parish priest to take over from Ted Harrington at Our Lady of the Rosary, Donnington. Ted Harrington was telling me last night that before he took over Denis arrived with a list of forty-two questions in which he asked for information about the parish, thankfully Ted was able to answer all 42 questions!. Everything was done with care and with reverence, conscientiously and well. He showed the same care in Middlewich, here at Our Lady’s, and in Sandbach. Denis was a collaborative priest, in all his parishes as PP he had a parish council, encouraging many others to work alongside him. In many ways Denis was a shy man, there was a reluctance to take the spotlight and wherever possible he avoided confrontation.
Father Ravi Bosco was with him when he died. Denis quoted, in Latin, the words of Night Prayer from the breviary: In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum. Father Ravi looked puzzled, so Denis translated: Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. And he added: You should get to know some Latin. They were the last words he spoke.
From a St Winefride's Parishioner
Fr. Denis Marmion arrived in Neston in 2001 moving into a bungalow in Allans Meadow to enjoy his retirement. He became, in a very short time, a beloved fixture in St. Winefride's parish. He became involved in parish life, setting up a weekly prayer group at his home, to which all were welcome. When not required to fill in at Sunday masses throughout the diocese he regularly concelebrated or said Mass and helped Fr. Courell and subsequently Fr Ravi in any way he could. He was active in leading the parish in the diocesan pilgrimages to Lourdes and Walsingham.
Fr. Denis died on Wednesday 13th August 2014. His body was brought to St. Winefride’s at 7pm and a Vigil Mass was held, celebrated by Bishop Mark Davies. The church was packed which is a testament to how much he was loved. He is sadly missed by all at St. Winefride’s.
Rest in Peace
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