INTRODUCTION FOR PONTIFICAL MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL FOR FR FRANK FURFARO – ALL SAINTS CHURCH, LIVERPOOL

Welcome to All Saints Church for the Funeral Mass for Fr Frank Furfaro. I acknowledge the presence today of Fr Frank's two sisters, Josie and Tina, their husbands and his extended family, to whom in particular I extend my sympathies and those of the Archdiocese of Sydney. Concelebrating with me today are Bishops Brady, Randazzo and Umbers and many clergy of the Archdiocese of Sydney, the Dioceses of Parramatta and Broken Bay, and beyond. I acknowledge Fr Gerry Gleeson, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, as well as the Vicars General of Parramatta, Frs Peter Williams and Chris de Souza, who will be our homilies today. Cardinal Pell has also sent his sincere condolences from Rome.

Fr Frank was ordained priest at St Mary's Cathedral in 1979 and proceeded to serve in almost every corner of this city. He was Assistant Priest at Haberfield, Liverpool, Gymea, Parramatta, Woy Woy, Ryde, Bankstown, Concord, Fairfield and Mosman. He served as Administrator at Enmore-Tempe, Punchbowl, Como-Oyster Bay, Five Dock, Lane Cove, Bass Hill and Randwick North. He was Parish Priest at Kogarah, Mt Pritchard, Haberfield and finally Rose Bay and Dover Heights. Having had so many homes in Sydney he now returns to his childhood parish of Liverpool for his final commendation to God. That is especially appropriate given that it was in this very church, that 37 years ago today that Fr Frank celebrated his first Mass.

When I spoke with Fr Frank soon after his appointment to Rose Bay and asked how he was going, he told me enthusiastically he “felt like a pig in mud.” But several priests commented to me that he did not look well. The intractable problem in his legs was spreading. Before long the problem was affecting his internal organs, especially his kidneys. There was nothing more to be done medically. He was admitted to the Sacred Heart Hospice in July. When I visited him each week there, I found him in excellent spirits and very ready for his Heavenly Father and earthly mother to embrace him in the afterlife. His somewhat operatic personality endured to the end, full of bon ami and stories, but alongside it emerged a quieter resignation to his situation and a profound trust in the Lord.

We now commend this faithful priest of Christ Jesus to that Lord whom he served so well.