18 January 2012
Fr Craig Larkin, a Marist Father, celebrated Mass, in the General House, for the repose of the soul of Br Charles Howard. Among those present were the Superior General and his Council, the Brothers of the community and the laity of the General House, as well as Brothers from other communities.
Fr Craig Larkin, who knew our Br Charles well, testified to his attentive and affectionate attitude towards the Brothers – « this good Brother, these good Brothers » he would always say in their regard… Fr Craig also referred to Br Charles’ simplicity, and his refusal of the honours due to his position.
Br Emili, for his part, mentioned that when he met him in 2010, Br Charles was still very much himself, that is, giving evidence of his strong personality and gifts for leadership. He too testified to his affection for his confreres, shown in little details. Br Emili himself had been a beneficiary of the exquisite sensitivity of Br Charles when he was a young Brother in Barcelona, when Br Charles was visiting his Province. He also made allusion to Br Charles’ special sensitivity to social concerns, to his efforts towards a more just and fraternal world, signifying thus new frontiers to our mission. The Superior General emphasized the invitation he had made to a significant group of lay people to take part in the XIX General Chapter, thus opening the doors of the Institute to the lay reality of our charism and mission. Br Emili referred to the way in which Br Charles lived the expression « to be Champagnat today ». Yes, Br Charles was a Marist with all his heart, an authentic son of Champagnat.
To conclude his words, Br Emili recalled the special smile of Br Charles Howard.
Requiem Mass for Brother Charles in Australia – 24 January
The Requiem Mass for Brother Charles will be celebrated at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill on Tuesday 24 January. The chief celebrant will be the President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the Most Reverend Philip Wilson. Archbishop Wilson is also an ex-student of Brother Charles. The eulogist will be former Superior General, Brother Seán Sammon, from New York. The current Superior General, Brother Emili Turú, will also travel from Rome to take part.
The Requiem Mass for Br Charles Howard will be webcast live from 10:45 AM (Sydney) on 24th January, 2012. Please click here to view the webcast.
The webcast will be available on demand for 3 months following the requiem. Please click here to view it.