Source: www.focolare.ie
Tom
was taken from us unexpectedly in the early hours of Sunday morning. He had
posted a new profile picture of himself on Facebook. He did not know that he
would meet his Lord so soon, or that the circumstances of his death would prove
so brutal and senseless. But such is the way it was, and we are left mourning a
good and faithful friend, who witnessed to the values he believed in: faith in
God, the Gospel, Truth and universal brotherhood.
Tom
came in touch with the Focolare about fifteen years ago and its spirituality
based on love of neighbour, became a touchstone in his life. A man of ideas, he
liked to debate politics, arts, music and media also allowing the Gospel to
imbue his personality and life. He was a real ‘people person’ always available
to others with his wit, optimism, insight and creativity. You couldn’t ask for
better company
Many
tributes have been written to Tom: as a Catholic journalist, from Sarah
McDonald from CatholicIreland.net; as a member of the Pro Life Campaign from
its chairman Joe McCarroll; and as a fine researcher with the Iona Institute
from David Quinn.
In
the community of the Focolare, we are grateful to Tom for his great support and
enthusiasm for the youth branches of the movement, in particular Youth for a United
World (Y4UW). For years Tom worked with young people enjoying the many
challenges and obstacles that went along with this. He was practical and
expected the most of them.
He
had the ability to blend with younger people. He would happily sit and chat
away with them for hours. He found common ground – sports or movies, a game of
UNO. Then he would begin a discussion on the deeper questions that many young
people have inside, but perhaps do not get a chance to talk about.
He
was generous with his time, willing to deepen personal relationships with
cinema trips and cups of coffee, even though he drank neither tea nor coffee.
His wide circle of friends loved his impressions. At a concert at a Focolare
event some years ago when Tom was MC, he managed to keep up his famous Yoda
from Star Wars impression for the entire show.
He
was always generous and thoughtful, remembering the important events in the
lives of friends through a Facebook message or text. While in Florence, on a
trip to World Unity Week some years ago, as the group strolled around the city
eating ice-cream, Tom, a true gentleman, presented each girl with a single rose
he had bought from a flower seller.
We
are absolutely horrified, shocked and appalled by his killing and its brutal
nature. We gather close remembering Tom, his sister Catherine and brother Paul
in our prayers. Tom would not want us to stop in the path which he walked so
faithfully – towards universal brotherhood. We believe he would want us to
double our love to make amends for this terrible act which has deprived us of
so good a friend here on earth.
Love
does not die, so we believe the love we shared with Tom remains and we are
united with him in heaven, perhaps as never before.
We
pray too for Tom’s assailant and his family who we know to be deeply shocked
and traumatised.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento