Funeral Homily of Canon Dermot Britton, 10^th January 2005

by Bishop Philip Boyce, OCD, Bishop of Raphoe

 On the evening before he suffered, Jesus told his apostles, who were gathered around him for what was to be their parting meal, that He was going away. A sombre mood came over the little group. They sensed that something they did not want to think about was going to happen. Their Master had his enemies who threatened to kill Him. The disciples did not want to lose their Lord and be left on their own.  

When a person we know and love reaches the end of his years, and illness notably diminishes the quality of his life, we find ourselves in circumstances similar to the apostles. We would wish to cling to the presence of our loved one, yet we know that each person has his day of coming into this world and his day and hour of departing, his mission here below accomplished.  

Despite the pain and the loss his going away would cause, Jesus resolutely kept his face turned towards obeying his heavenly Father’s call, towards ‘the baptism with which he had to be baptised’ (cf. Lk, 12:50 ). That would mean his Passion and his death in sacrifice for our salvation on the Cross.

 He was going back to his Father through the gateway of death. It was not that death was coming to Him; He was going to it. He knew where He was going. ‘I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will.’ (Jn. 10:17-18). Nothing could deter Him from the mission He received from his Father. For that reason, He freely entered his night of suffering and death. His last hour was not like someone pushing out a boat for a journey on a trackless sea to an unknown destination. He knew He was opening up for us a path from darkness to light, from pain to everlasting peace, from death to life. ‘I came from the Father’ He said, ‘and have come into this world; again I am leaving the world and going to the Father… I have said this to you, so that in me you my have peace’ (Jn. 16: 28 -33).

There comes again and again for a friend or acquaintance of ours - and one day it will come for ourselves personally - a time when there are signs that death is approaching. The words of the disciples seem to come to us: ‘Stay with us Lord, for evening is almost with us and the day is far spent’ cf. Lk. 24:29). Or maybe the words: ‘Master do you not care? We are lost!’ - as the boat of our life begins to be swamped by the waves cf. Mk. 4:39).

 Canon Dermot Britton has travelled this journey before us. The Lord blessed him with a long life, he was 87 years of age when he was taken from us last Friday, 7^th January. He struggled bravely with declining health over the past few years. The last month was particularly severe on him. For a few days in the beginning of the week he seemed to rally. The priests who visited him found him in much better form. But after that calm, came the final storm in which he gave up his spirit and returned to his Creator.

 Hugh Dermot Britton was born on 20^th July 1917 in Donegal Town . His parents were Fergus Britton and Mary McCauley. He went to Aodh Rua National School in Donegal Town (1922 – 1930). His Secondary education took place in St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny from 1930 – 1935. He followed the call and went for the priesthood, studying in Maynooth from 1935 – 1942. he was ordained a priest in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on 21^st June 1942 by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid of Dublin . A bright student, he gained a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics.

 At that time, there was a surplus of priests in Raphoe, so he was sent on loan to Plymouth Diocese in the South of England, where he served for 12 years in the parishes of Camborne, Falmouth and St. Mawes.

 He was called back to Raphoe Diocese in 1954, and was appointed curate in Mountcharles until January 1962. Thereafter, he was curate in Stranorlar 1962 – 1969; then curate in Convoy 1969 – 1973. He was Parish Priest in the parish of Meevagh (Carrigart – Downings) for six years 1973 – 1979. Finally, he was Parish Priest in Ballyshannon February 1979 – August 1996. In 1987 he had been appointed Canon of the Cathedral Chapter.

 His health being quite robust, he stayed on as Parish Priest until he was 79 years of age, and retired in 1996. Thereafter he lived in retirement in Bundoran.  

Canon Dermot was a good and dedicated priest, quiet and reserved in his ways, very committed to duty. He served souls in the Diocese (and earlier in Plymouth ) for many years, who could tell the amount of good done by a priest in his days? The Masses he celebrated, the times he raised his hands forgiving sins and bringing peace of conscience; the infants he brought into the Church in baptism; the couples he blessed in marriage; the sick he anointed and prepared for death; his words of advice, guidance and encouragement. He now rests from his labours and it is our firm hope that he enjoys the reward of the just.  

For him and for his Master, his departure was a going home at the evening of life, when his work was done. The Lord, whom he always served, was at his side. And so we too pray to the Lord (with the words of his favourite prayer) to ‘support us all the day long, till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in his mercy may He give us a safe lodging and a holy rest, and peace at the last’ (Cardinal Newman).