Funeral Mass for Archbishop Frank Little
at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 11am,
Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart.

 

INTRODUCTION

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

United with his brother, Gerald, his sisters-in-law, Margaret and Madeleine, nephews and nieces, and the whole family of the Church, we come to pray for the repose of the soul of Thomas Francis Little, Sixth Archbishop of Melbourne, who died peacefully in his sleep last Tuesday morning.

We will always remember him as a man of faith and love, who cared for others and was always there for them. His considerable gifts were totally devoted to the Church and to people across the wide spectrum of nations. He warmly embraced people in all their diversity.

Aided by the distinguished presence of Cardinal Pell - his successor, Cardinal Cassidy, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto - the Papal Nuncio, Bishops, Priests, Religious, Lieutenant-Colonel John Raike, representing the Governor of Victoria, the Hon. James Merlino, MP, representing the Premier, and so many friends we commend him to the Lord he loved and served with total generosity as we remember our sins, knowing that our pilgrimage of faith, hope and love will continue.

HOMILY

“I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.”
(Apocalypse 21:1)

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today for these brief moments we seek to draw together the strands of the life of Thomas Francis Little, the Sixth Archbishop of Melbourne.

Archbishop Frank was a dedicated priest and pastor, a lover of humanity, with theological and poetic insights that were not always well understood. Herein lay his sense of the goodness of people and his sincere welcoming of them. His family saw him as a linchpin to whom they could turn with God-given gifts of empathy and humour.

As we pray for the repose of his soul we are moved deeply by the tributes and prayers that have enriched these days before this final farewell, especially the consoling words and Apostolic Blessing of Pope Benedict XVI.

You, my brothers and sisters, have done him and the Archdiocese a great honour by your presence and your goodness. For the Little family and the Archdiocese I thank you most sincerely.

Frank Little was born at Moonee Ponds on 30th November 1925, the son of Gerald Thompson Little, a well-known Melbourne surveyor and engineer, and his wife, Kathleen Annie McCormack. His early education was at Saint Columba’s College, Essendon, and Saint Monica’s CBC, Moonee Ponds.

As a young boy of seven he stepped out of bed late one night and in the dim light could see his father, Gerald, praying. He recalled: “My father expressing faith came as a terrific shock to me. There was an obvious sense of adoration in the body. He lost a leg in the First World War so kneeling was particularly difficult. I guess for me that is the instant flash back of the graced moment.” The simplicity, humility and reverence we all admired in Archbishop Frank may well be captured by this vignette.

For secondary education he went on to Saint Patrick’s College, Ballarat. It was not surprising that he entered the Seminary at Corpus Christi, Werribee, to study for the priesthood in 1943. By the middle of 1947 he left for Rome to continue his studies at Propaganda Fide College. He was ordained a priest on 3rd October 1950, in the chapel of Propaganda Fide by His Eminence, Peter Cardinal Fumasoni Biondi. Some lifelong friends, Archbishop Leonard Faulkner, Bishop John Gerry and Father Geoff Lloyd are here today.

After initial discussions with Bishop Fox as to whether he would study Canon Law or Theology, he chose Theology. He received a Doctorate of Sacred Theology in June 1953. He was deeply influenced as a young priest by involvement with Catholic Action in Italy. Pius XII’s allocution to the World Congress of the Apostolate of the Laity in 1951 was a turning point in his life.

Upon return in September of that year he was Assistant Priest in Carlton and two years later Assistant here in the Cathedral. In both of these appointments he developed a warm love of the Italian apostolate and enthusiastically celebrated marriages of young Italian couples. Impressed strongly upon his memory was hearing Confessions all day on Christmas Eve and having to finish at midnight with forty or fifty people not yet able to receive the Sacrament.

His three years in the Apostolic Delegation from 1956 gave him experience of the wider world of the Church. He returned to Melbourne in December 1959, being Assistant Priest here in the Cathedral and in April 1965 he became Dean until 1970. Later he was Episcopal Vicar for Laity and Parish Priest of Brunswick. Just before the Eucharistic Congress in February 1973, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop. In September he became Parish Priest of Moonee Ponds where he remained until his appointment as Archbishop on 1 July 1974, taking possession on 18 August.

“If we have died with him, then we shall live with him. If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:11-12)

Frank Little had never sought or expected to be Archbishop. In September 1974 he wrote to Pope Paul VI: “Less than two years ago I was minding my own business in a parish of this Archdiocese. Now by the grace of God and your favour I am its archbishop. It is a position to which I never aspired. I read your talk to some newly-ordained bishops, which said that bishops must have confidence, joy and strength. These I shall try to make my own.”

The 22 years as Archbishop were difficult and challenging. They were a normal reflection of the ferment in society and culture of those years. Archbishop Little had a clear appreciation of the magnitude of the task given him. I am sure that is why he chose ‘Kyrie Eleison’ as his motto. With humility and faith he accepted the road that was his and despite the personal cost which the making of significant decisions entailed, he received very good advice, and was deeply sensitive to the needs of those who would be affected by his actions.

Throughout his episcopate he was constantly grateful to others. In particular, he was very appreciative to those who looked after the restoration of the Cathedral and to all who contributed to its great cost.

In his retirement speech on 28 October 1996 he listed with deep humility his appreciation of the priests of the Diocese, saying: “Probably times were rarely tougher, but you have remained faithful. Invariably I could feel a sense of unity with all you were doing.” He spoke similarly of the unfailing assistance of Auxiliaries, Vicars General, Secretaries, Episcopal Vicars, Religious and Lay People, Deanery Co-ordinators, those involved in Catholic education, and in the Support and Remuneration of Priests, the Seminary and Theological Staff and a long list of diocesan organisations. He enjoyed being Chaplain to Teams of Our Lady, who provided immense support in recent times of illness.

“For the love of my brethren and friends I say peace upon you.” (Ps 121.8)

From the early 1970s Archbishop Frank developed a strong interest in ecumenism, bonding with other Churches and a firm friendship with Anglican Archbishop Frank Woods developed. There was much spiritual and prayerful sharing. A few months ago Archbishop Frank was invited to launch the Reverend Brian Porter’s biography of Archbishop Woods.

Archbishop Frank sought to encourage priests and people to be nourished and challenged by the Word of God, to be unafraid to be counter-cultural and to keep the message of Jesus Christ at our centre.

There were many serious challenges in those critical years. The Defence of Government Schools Case, the promotion of vocations, the Medical Treatment Bill (it was a cause of wry amusement that his secretary’s car registration was IVF!!!), the developments in education, his criticism of the casino culture and his endorsing of support of the Church’s teaching on abortion. With constancy and doggedness, despite failing health at times, Archbishop Frank Little remained constantly aware of the Lord in whom he lived and moved.

His personal attributes of gratitude and humility, and his sense of the presence of God, supported his achievements to establish 28 new parishes, 61 primary schools and 14 secondary colleges. He was a great Archbishop.

In the years of retirement, relieved of the burdens of office, his life took a new spiritual and pastoral dimension. He was much sought after for Confirmations and parish anniversaries. His life of deep prayer was recognised. In the words of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux on whose feast day he was ordained: “For me prayer is a surge of heart; it is a simple look turned towards heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy; in a word, something noble, supernatural which enlarges my soul and unites it to God.”

Archbishop Frank was the heart and soul of his extended family. He gave his all for the Lord but the special qualities, which he possessed in abundance, washed over them and endeared him to all. He was revered for his patient integrity, humanity and humility. He was the reference point for the family. His transparent spirituality ensured that at the reference points of their lives he was there to baptise, marry, and bury them.

He was “Uncle Frank” to all, irrespective of age. Frank was the inaugural winner of the family football competition. His blind adherence to Essendon culminated in the kidnapping by a family member of his beloved small “Bomber man” idol. His love of music was inherent, but the family considered that Frank’s own opinion of his singing quality was misplaced. The void is deep, but he will live on in their treasured memories.

To all of us Archbishop Frank Little has always been a welcoming, gracious and encouraging presence. Christ was, and is his life.

May the humble, generous and sincere soul of Archbishop Frank Little rest with his predecessors in the kingdom where he will be welcomed into the light for which we hope. We look for the time when we will be reunited.

Archbishop Frank, our father, our friend and companion, may you rest in peace.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.