When as a flippant boy I went to learn accountancy in London, Pat Davies took me under his wing. He determined to look after me and help me find a more serious side of myself ! I don’t think he had enough time to do that, for he left to take up a job as a financial director in Australia. I then heard the news that Pat had a change of heart, or should I say a revelation of his true calling in life. Pat decided to study to be ordained as a Catholic priest, and entered the church and a monastic life. Though monastic, Pat’s spirit of adventure never left him. He remained an extremely active person and travelled the world in the cause of healing and peace. Especially in Africa and South America, where he used his inherrent organizational skills to work for hospitals , schools, and even as part of the ‘truth and recconciiation’ effort in South Africa. Finally he came back to London and took over a diocese very close to Soho. I remember Pat as a tough squash opponent, and the camping journey’s he took me into the rugged parts of Scotland. And so you can imagine my sorrow to learn that his body is giving up and he is readying to take on another journey. I want to share with your Pats letter to his friends and family, and to the members of his diocese informing us all …….<\/p>\n
\nChurch of Our Lady of the Assumption & St Gregory
\n24 Golden Square
\nEASTER 2008
\nYou may be surprised to receive a letter from me at this time of year. The reason?
\nMy health has now further declined with the news that I have Lymphoma ? fairly widespread throughout the whole of my body: so much so that I have declined to have Chemotherapy and am naturally somewhat uncertain about the future.
\nI am fairly calm about the whole situation and think it a singular grace to be able to prepare for a good death, having for a long time now looked forward to dying and seeing life here on earth being just a pilgrim journey
\nDuring whatever time the good Lord accords me, I intend to live life to the full-emembering that life is for living and loving, for singing and dancing and especially for hugging! -my trade-mark these last 20 years or so
\nIn that context I would hope to have a big celebration (or two) to mark my 70th Birthday on 18th July, with one celebration at lunch-time on the day itself and another celebration on the Sunday, 20thJuly. Take this letter as your invitation
\nAs I look back on my life, I thank God for all the wonderful times I have been privileged to experience and the fulfilment that life as a whole has given me
\nAll I ask now is that you pray for me as I will pray for you
\nPat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When as a flippant boy I went to learn accountancy in London, Pat Davies took me under his wing. He determined to look after me and help me find a more serious side of myself ! I don’t think he had enough time to do that, for he left to take up a job as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-search-for-the-self"],"yoast_head":"\n