From FR. Roger's letter in the Church Magazine, May 2002

Just as I am settling down to write this piece for the May magazine, I have heard of the sudden death of Bill Randall, until the APCM this year our Parish Independent Examiner. Bill has worked tirelessly over the last few years during the times of computerisation and changes in charity and accounting procedures along side our treasurers to make sure all is well at St.Wilfrid's.

I know Peter Green and Neil Macdonald will pay tribute to that. Quite apart from his professional skills however, I think we all know we have lost someone of very deep devotion and a holiness which was very obvious but never overtly pious. Bill was someone who often came simply to talk about some aspect of the faith, something said or preached that he would like clarified, such was the depth and the liveliness of his faith. I am sure that much more will be said later in this issue and coming months. For now, on behalf of all I assure Paddy and her family of o love and thoughts and prayers. Bill's funeral will be in St. Wilfrid's on Thursday 2nd May at 3:30pm

Times like this test the reality of our faith and its depth. A friend of mine once died is suddenly on Easter Sunday and another d friend observed quite spontaneously and it with no hint of macabre humor 'What a it wonderful day to arrive in heaven!' Now, Easter is the time when we are challenged about this. We hear the stories of the Acts of the Apostles and the resurrection experiences and then we hear the story of the Ascension as we prepare for the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It all adds up in the end to one question 'Is it all true?' 'Do I  really believe all this?' 'Does it have any effect upon the way I live?' 'Or is it just a habit I have had since childhood/school/ marriage or whatever?' In lives like Bill y Randall's you really see the converting power of the risen Christ at work and that is what we should all be striving to show to the world, not only as individuals but also as a church family, locally, nationally and n worldwide. That is what Eastertide is about. Alleluia!
 

With every good wish

Fr. Roger