Terry Bowman MSC, Mass and Burial
With thanks to Bob Irwin for text, John Walker for photos.
In the early afternoon of Sunday 24th of November 2024, our beloved Terry Bowman MSC went for a walk, or as the author of the book of Genesis would put it (chapter 5): Terry went for a walk with his God and he NEVER CAME BACK. God suddenly took him from us.
Ahh, Terry, we miss you terribly. Whilst our faith reminds us that you are fine, you are with your loving God, but we here, who are still on our journeys, sad; some still weep, some still in shock. You have gone too soon.
The book of Ecclesiastes, as read by Gerard, reminds us that there is a time to hurt, a time to weep, a time to mourn, but there is also a time to heal, a time to laugh, a time to dance, and as Terry might say, a time to SING.
We best honour Terry today by praying in a spirit of great gratitude for his loving presence amongst us, ever joyful, kindly, full of fun, and compassionate. Today, whilst we might feel sad for ourselves and our boss, we are here to celebrate and give thanks to God for Terry… AND THANKS TO TERRY FOR ALL THE HAS BEEN FOR US. He would prefer that, I think!
The sharing of memories last night and the eulogy of Paul and Gerard this morning told us so much about Terry and gave us insight into why he is loved so much, what a loving pastor he has been to so many people.
So let me just try to summarise something of the man with a few words, namely: Terry Bowman, a lover of life, a lover of people, a lover of God and His Church.
Living with Terry in the Coogee Presbytery for six years, is one of the delights of my life, as I enjoyed his good humour, his somewhat naughty wit, his cooking, his ducking down to what he called his other home, the Coogee Bay Pub Tab, his constant concern for the people of the parish, the school, the MSC family, and his many friends and his wonderful extended family.
MSC
Terry was not just a good man with a big voice and joyful approach to life, with a heart bigger than his body, but he was also a man who vowed his life to be a Missionary of the Sacred Heart. We know from his story that he served in MSC parishes in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales.
It is easy to do a quick checklist concerning what should be the spirit of an MSC parish would operate. It should have the spirit of a loving family. Our MSC rule of life, our Constitutions, in number 32 we read the qualities needed… let me list some of them and you will see how Terry embodied those qualities: KINDNESS; UNDERSTANDING; COMPASSION; MUTUAL FORGIVENESS, GENTLENESS; HUMILITY; HOSPITALITY; AND A SENSE OF HUMOUR.
Humility? Yes, he could steal the show, if you let him! But today, it is all about you, Tessa!
THE PRIEST
As a priest and pastor, Terry brought more people into the Church than we could ever know.
He had wanted to be a priest from an early age and eventually after studying at the Late Vocations Seminary just up there on the hill behind the Monastery, he was ordained in 1988.
Many years ago, when I was discussing with a parish council about what kind of priest they needed in their parish, the reply was simple: send us someone who is KIND; that is the quality we most need.
Terry had kindness in spades. His ability to love so strongly was based on his surety that he was unconditionally loved by God, and that means that all people are loved the same way, and he was there to remind us of that, as best he could, in what he said, and in how he treated us.
A large part of his attractiveness and effectiveness was that it was so obviously "one of us". He had his own weaknesses and fears and anxieties, and demons, as those who knew him well could attest, but he approached life positively, with a song, with charm, and kindness.
As a priest at Mass and in the pulpit, he inspired, not with any pomposity but with a genuineness in his words, his prayers, his preaching and his singing.
He cared for young and old, the sick and dying and the brides and grooms and the newborn and all in between… with good humour and the love of the Good Shepherd.
He loved to celebrate all the Sacraments and he led them in his own inimitable and attractive way.
AND NOW: WHAT OF US
It is very obvious that Terry's life was not wasted! Scripture reminds us that "the life and death of each of us has its influence on others" (Romans).
… And as Shaz read in the second reading… "May his good deeds go with him”. Might I suggest that we make sure that his death is not wasted on us, either. Let us, as the people of God, be truly grateful to God and Terry for all that we have received.
If Terry’s overcoming difficulties and staying positive touches us…, we should do the same. Whatever it is we most admire in Terry, let it become a bigger part of how we live our lives. Jesus reminds us today in the Gospel to go to him, "all you who are labour and overburdened, and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Let us, like Terry, grow closer each day to Jesus, so that we can live life with joy and song, no matter the problems we must cope with.
Thanks again, Terry. Your life and death are definitely not wasted on us.
