| By Nicole Ferrie
Bendigo says goodbye to an old friend
IN manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum – into your hands Oh Lord I commend my spirit.
These were the words of Christ quoted by Monsignor John Duffus when he chose not to undergo treatment for pancreatic cancer and live out his remaining days with palliative care.
The response was “classical Duffo”, Monsignor’s close friend and vicar general of the Sandhurst Diocese Monsignor John White will tell the thousands who gather at the Sacred Heart Cathedral today.
“His reply showed the measure of his faith, the depth of his acceptance of God’s will,” according to Monsignor White.
“John truly accepted his condition and freely accepted his death.”
Monsignor Duffus died on January 11 after being diagnosed with cancer in June last year.
Catholics across the globe have prayed for Mons before and after his death, and many are expected to make the pilgrimage to Bendigo for today’s requiem funeral mass.
Those attending include retired Archbishop Francis Carroll of the Canberra Goulburn parish, Archbishop Adrian Doyle of Tasmania, Bishop Peter Connors of the Ballarat Diocese and retired Bishop Jeremiah Coffey from the Diocese of Sale.
Many gathered last night for vigil prayers and scripture readings at the cathedral.
Christian and life symbols were placed on the altar reflecting Monsignor’s life.
Holy water, the book of gospel and a cross worn by Monsignor reflected his Christan life, while family photographs, a Xavier College blazer, a CD representing his love of music and a book as a sign of his love of knowledge and thirst for learning were among the life symbols.
Others included a bottle of oil, representing Monsignor’s background as a pharmacist and his use of this knowledge for the Oil of Chrism used across Australia, a bottle of wine representing Monsignor’s hospitality, a Code of Canon Law, representing those he helped in the Marriage Tribunal and his role as Promotor of Justice for the Regional Tribunal of Victoria and Tasmania, his name tag from Catholic College Bendigo, a copy of one of his homilies and his breviary and rosary, representing Monsignor’s life of prayer.
Sandhurst Diocese Bishop Joe Grech led the service and gave the homily, while Monsignor’s friend and Jesuit priest Fr Richard Shortall, TEAMS member Pat Goggin, Catholic College Bendigo principal Darren McGregor and Sister Mary Love also spoke of their love for a friend and leader.
Today’s service will also be led by Bishop Grech and Monsignor White will give the homily.
Christan symbols will include lighting the paschal candle to remember Monsignor’s baptism, sprinkling the coffin with holy water, the placement of a white pall over the coffin along with a book of gospels, a chalice and the stole, a sign of his priestly office.
The mass will include readings from the book of Isaiah, chapter 25:6-10a, which Monsignor had always wanted at his funeral, St Paul’s letter to the Philippians 1:19-26 and Luke 24:13-25.
Catholic College students will read the prayers of intercession and Monsignor’s nieces Suzanne Ion, Rachel Duffus, Terese Knight and Philippa Nolan will take the gifts to the altar.
At the conclusion of the mass, Monsignor will be carried the full length of the cathedral to Trumpet Voluntary.
A graveside service will follow in the priest’s section of the Bendigo Monumental Cemetery.
According to Monsignor’s close friend Fr Rom Hayes of St Kilian’s Parish, who will play a role in today’s service, the city is today saying goodbye to a man who will never be replaced.
“He would be the first to say no one is indispensable, but he is irreplaceable,” he said.
“There won’t be another Duffo.”
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