Obituary

This September we said goodbye to our dear Brother Chris brown of the Parr Street
Community.

Here we share some of the excerpts from the homily given by Brother Dominic Sassi as
Chris’s funeral.

Chris died on 9th September, a day after the death of HM the Queen. In the days that
followed, I couldn’t help but contrast the pomp and pageantry surrounding the Queen’s
passing with the relative anonymity and simplicity of Chris’ sudden death. He left us by
surprise. We’re told that the Queen died of old age. Chris was 80 when he died, not
particularly old by today’s reconning. In fact, because of his enthusiasm, warmth, strength,
and boundless energy, few of us considered Chris as ‘old’. When I wanted some help –
physical help – it was always Chris that I called on.

I think the thing that most of us would have recognised in Chris would have been that he
always sided with the poor and disadvantaged. He was the one who set up the community
in Parr Street in 1985 – an inner city dwelling that wouldn’t be the first choice for many of
us. Certainly not leafy suburbia. But it was among the people, a place where lonely and
needy people could knock and ask for a sandwich and cup of tea. The place where he ran a
club for local kids three times a week, and the Friday club for the disabled. He had a strong
attachment to the Nugent School where he and Br Mat Fogarty and his soul friend Pauline
Formella had an alternative education programme for the 14-16 group. And when Nugent
closed in 1995, Chris didn’t ask to go to another CB school, but instead he went to Edmund
Arrowsmith HS where he took groups on outdoor pursuits. And then when he retired, he
went to SFX and started teaching students who were behind in their studies on a one-to-one
basis. So, always with and for the poor. Even when he was assigned to Prior Park, the CB
public school in Bath, he sought out those who were in difficulty, either with their studies or
with personal problems. Chris wasn’t selective; if he saw someone in need, he helped them.

He also had a personal mission to support a Bangladeshi charity serving the Dalits in
promoting health, employment and education.

So, I have no doubt whatsoever that Chris will already have heard those words of Christ that
we have just heard in the gospel: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your
inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you.’ And he probably responded in the same
way as the others: ‘What? Me?’ Because Chris never looked to be thanked, never
boasted about his good works. As St Paul advised in his letter to the Corinthians: ‘If
you’re going to boast, boast in the Lord.’ God assures all of us, including Chris: “My grace is
sufficient for you. Power is made perfect in weakness.” And Chris believed that.
Chris had many interests. He was a good sportsman – rugby, cricket, fell-walking, and
football. He was a Liverpool supporter, but his team was Preston North End and his support
went back to the days of the great Tom Finney. He loved wildlife, loved the Lake District. He
loved meeting people, but he did not like meetings! And, James, {great nephew} we saw
that tribute to your uncle at Preston’s game last Saturday. You got it just right – his
friendship, kindness, love, and humour will be missed by all.

Chris’ custom was to go into the chapel every morning and sometimes he’d practice yoga or
reflect on the gospel. On the day that he died, this was the prayer that he was reflecting on:
“If I were worthy of God’s favour, I would ask that He grant me this one miracle: that by His
grace He would make of me a good man.” Well, those of us who knew Chris are witnesses
that God worked that miracle. Chris was a good man. Another quote I found that he had
reflected on recently was from Cardinal Newman: “I sought to hear the voice of God and so I
climbed to the topmost steeple, but God shouted: Go down again – I dwell among people.”
And that’s where Chris found God.

The Requiem Mass was held in St Anne’s, Overbury Street in Liverpool where the Edmund
Rice shrine is housed. On the request of the family, Chris’ body was cremated at Springwood
crematorium and his ashes will be shared between family and community.
Goodbye my friend and brother. We will meet again in God’s own time.

Br Dominic Sassi
October 2022