Yatesie - what better friend in life.

I have come to Sydney for Provincial Chapter.  I arrived here on Monday and one of the first things I did when getting here was ring my close mate and confidante, my companero - Brian Yates.  There was no answer.  Then that afternoon, I am shown a Sydney Archdiocesan email advising of the death that day of one of their priests - Brian Yates.

I am overcome that on this very day Brian dies.  So instead of seeing my mate again, I go to his funeral.  What can one say?

Brian was an icon of the Church in Australia, being such a spiritual leader and mentor to so many, a kind and generous man, a good priest.  Yes, Brian was a needy man, knowing his own fragility but that was part of what made him, not destroy him.  He was a man who would take in his fellow priests in the midst of their own vulnerability and fragility and just befriend them as an equal partner, a fellow wounded healer.  There were no pretensions about Brian.  It was all compassion, openness and true friendship.

I do not know what to say about Brian as it is all a bit much for me at the moment.  I just want to share my close mate, a man who gave hospitality to so many along the way, a man who took me in and showed me love.  He taught me about communio.  He looked after me when I was down, as I looked after him when he was down.  This is what life is all about - looking after each other as friends on the journey.

Here I am at Chapter where we are discussing yet again community and religious life.  I knew community with Brian because we just lived it and discussed it along the way.  I will miss you Brian but I know you are happy and whole with God.  What better end to a great adventure on this earth.  Love you, mate.