Mass for Archbishop Frank Little
at St. Mary's Church, Geelong, on
Thursday, April 17, 2008. Homily given by
Monsignor James Murray P.E.

ARCHBISHOP FRANK LITTLE R.I.P. 17.4.08

On 1st March, 1943, 15 rather young and very nervous students met for the first time at Corpus Christi College, Werribee to begin their training for the priesthood, not sure what to expect. On 3rd March, 2008, 65 years later, six surviving members of that original group, gather for lunch at Airey’s Inlet at the home of the eldest member of the group, who is suffering from M.S.

Some time in the early hours of 7th April, 5 weeks later, a key and much loved member, Archbishop Thomas Francis Little whilst sleeping peacefully in his home in Camberwell, was called by God into eternal life.

So we have cherished memories of that gathering on 3rd March, for no one laughed louder or enjoyed it more than Frank Little. He never missed such an occasion, and usually he made sure that we did it at least once a year, because friendship, loyalty, warmth and hospitality were very much part of his character.

T.F. Little was born in Werribee on 30.11.1925 and that is about the only date I will mention. I do so because of a story he used to tell about this. Some years ago he was in Werribee and decided to call at the house in Wattle Avenue where he began his life’s journey. He knocked on the door and when the lady answered it, he said to her: “I believed I once lived in this house,” without saying who he was. She replied: “I don’t know about that, but I have heard that Archbishop Little was born in the kitchen!” Imagine her surprise when he revealed who he was. As a matter of interest his parents moved to Essendon, and the house was later occupied by the Smith family, one of whose members, Philip became also a priest of the Archdiocese.

Essendon was to play a significant part in his life, as we all know how much he was a one-eyed supporter of the Bombers, right to the very end, at one stage in the 1990’s being their number one ticket holder. So deep was his attachment, that when he became a Bishop, guess what colours he chose for his coat of arms! That’s right – red and black! Well no one is perfect, even a Bishop!

He was the first Victorian born Archbishop of Melbourne, and the first Archbishop we dared to address by his first name. He was the first golfer to become Archbishop – his predecessor James Knox was a tennis player – and the day before he died he played a round of golf with some friends. Recreation & relaxation played a vital role in his life, especially during the stressful years of his Episcopal responsibilities. Not only did it help him to cope with the burdens of office, but he was able to relax with his priest friends, and developed a warm and enduring bond with them. His warmth, his love of his fellow priests, his ability enjoy such human pleasures so obviously were true signs of the Christ-like person that he was, always.

Last Sunday, 4th Sunday of Easter, the last Sunday when he celebrated Mass with people, is known as Good Shepherd Sunday, because of the Gospel reading each year. How appropriate for a Pastor who was always a Good Shepherd, a faithful and totally dedicated shepherd both as simple priest and as a Bishop. As Jesus reminds us the Good Shepherd does not drive his sheep, he leads them, he walks in front to clear the way for them. He provides the best pasture for them, he protects them from any harm, and his presence re-assures and encourages them. They feel totally safe with him, and follow wherever he leads. How well Frank Little fulfilled this role through his life as Pastor. His obvious warmth and welcoming presence, his friendly manner and interest in people, his ability to relate to everyone he met, his joy in the presence of children, were all indications of how true a shepherd he was. He had a gift being able to encourage, affirm and bring the best out of people.

He was appointed Archbishop when the reforms and teaching of the Second Vatican Council were being implemented, and he embraced them with conviction and enthusiasm. He recognised the essential role of lay people in the life and mission of the Church, and he affirmed and supported them in every way. He was a firm believer in the work of the Y.C.W. and always gave his whole-hearted support and encouragement. He knew that if lay leaders were properly formed in the lay apostolate then the Church would be far better able to fulfil its mission of bringing the Good News to the world. The same applied to groups like the Teams of Our Lady and many others with whom he shared his energy and enthusiasm for their mission.

He advanced the cause of ecumenism, and his warm and engaging personality enabled him to establish positive relationships with the other Christian Churches, and their leaders with many of whom he formed enduring friendships. I think especially of the late respected Anglican Archbishop Frank Woods. They were called the two Franks, and worked together on several issues of importance to the wider community.

Some of the public tributes in the media indicate the impact he had one people. The terms used – “man of integrity, humanity and humility; man of compassion, great encourager, steadfast ecumenist, blessed with gentle humour, a wounded healer, a wise mentor, gentle pastor, generous friend” and so on.

We remember his commitment to and involvement in Catholic education, as well as his encouragement to adult formation in faith. He had a great affection for the migrant people who came from many different countries and cultures, and always made them feel very welcome, encouraging them to take their place in the life of the Church here. The Italian community were especially dear to him, and due to the years he spent in Rome, he was fluent in the Italian language, which enabled him to communicate very positively with them. He always greeted them effusively, and they responded enthusiastically. A little story that illustrates his sense of fun, and his familiarity with the language has a Geelong flavour to it. (Campanile)

He had a genuine love and affection for the Church here in Geelong, and we always looked forward to his pastoral visits. He was a great encourager and support of whatever pastoral initiatives we undertook. Such as developing new Parishes and Parish Pastoral Councils, expansion of Catholic Secondary Education and appointment of many lay principals and development of health and aged care at Maryville and Rice Village and the arrival of the Sisters of St. John of God.

We remember special moments such at the Mass celebrating the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Parish in November 1992. At the end of his inspiring homily he walked back to his chair singing the responsorial psalm “LET US GO REJOICING TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.” If I tell you that both he and I were members of the special chant class in the seminary for less than competent singers, you will know what I mean.

As a former P.M. once famously said, “life wasn’t meant to be easy”, and this was true of Frank. He endured much suffering not only through ill-health over many years, but also from certain people who did not agree with his pastoral initiatives, and made life very difficult for him, even to the extent of writing to the authorities in Rome. But he accepted this with his typical dignity and faith, never seeking to take revenge. By nature a sensitive man, he abhorred division and conflict, he was fearful of hurting priests, and always found it difficult to correct or reprimand any of them.

Being the true shepherd of his people that he was, everything was focussed on Jesus the True Shepherd. He was blessed with a deep personal faith in Jesus, expressed every day in his prayer life, based on the Prayer of the Church contained in the Breviary, and Psalms, the very prayers which Jesus Himself would have prayed during His life on earth.

Above all was his love of the Eucharist, which he never failed to celebrate every day no matter where he was, The love of Christ shone through his celebration, and we can never forget his final call at the end: GO in peace to love and serve the Lord! He made us realise that the Mass was really only beginning when we moved from the Church to our daily work and responsibilities. Similarly his homilies unlocked the Word of God, and enabled us to understand what Christ was calling us to be and to do. One could sense Christ speaking to us through him.

There is a story told in the life of St. Teresa of Avila, which illustrates his genuine and humble humanity. Teresa is in the kitchen, eating roasted chicken. She is holding it in both hands, really devouring it, with obvious relish, One of the nuns comes in and is shocked to see her revered superior behaving like this. Seeing the horrified look on the sister’s face Teresa says to her: “When I eat chicken, I eat chicken; when I pray, I pray!” I can see Frank Little in that situation. When he drank a glass of good red wine, he drank and enjoyed it. When he prayed he really prayed.

Now dear steadfast and loyal friend, it is time to say farewell. In the words of Michel Rayner Thwaites in his hymn “Farewell, we come to send you on your way”. “No more we hear your voice, or see your face, gone from our world, our close familiar home; yet one who went before prepared a place, his Father’s house, with room for all who come, whose love can lead us through the darkest night to life and joy in everlasting light.” Now for your life, your love and labours here our hearts give thanks. Your noble spirit we commend to Him who told his sad flock not to fear, “Look, I am with you all, till time shall end, whose love shall lead us through the darkest night to life and joy in everlasting light.”

Monsignor James Murray P.E.