Dear friends,
Today we welcome Matthew Peter Rive as he is brought to be baptised at St Michael’s. We welcome his family and friends as they gather with him. Matthew’s parents, Derek and Christie were married here not very long ago, and Christie is a former pupil of our School.
On Thursday we gathered at St Michael’s to farewell and commend to God, Desmond Fisher. Des lived in Waikari, through the Weka Pass in North Canterbury, but he came to St Michael’s most Sunday mornings for the 8am Mass. He has been in Princess Margaret Hospital for a few weeks and we have been taking him Holy Communion there. Last week he was moved to Waikari Hospital where his condition suddenly turned for the worse. The Vicar of Waikari was giving him the last rites when he died very peacefully last Saturday. Des was brought up in this Parish, in Antigua Street, and went to Addington and Christchurch West Schools. His father died when Des was an infant, and his mother remarried just after Des had left home. He was drawn into a committed faith under Fr Muschamp, and he became involved in Parish life and served at the altar. As a youth he went to sea, and worked on ships for 43 years. At retirement he lived in Ponsonby and then in Hohora, Northland, until 1995 when he moved to Waikari, where his mother had been living for many years. His remains will be buried there with hers. Thank you to all who helped with the Mass for Des.
Last Saturday you may have seen an obituary in The Press for Michael David Studholme. David was part of this congregation through much of 2006 and 2007 when he lived at Bishopspark and was brought here by Margaret Wigley. He always sat in the front row. He was one of Waimate’s (South Canterbury) first family, farming Te Waimate Station and giving distinguished community leadership in a wide range of activities. After 96 years of a very active life, he went to his rest recently and was buried back at home. We were privileged to have him as part of our community of faith for the short time he was here.
May Des and David rest in the peace of Christ and rise again with him in glory.
May God Bless you all,
Peter Williams
