22 April 1941 – 25 Nov 2009
Originally from Perth and baptised Peter, Justin he entered the Perth Diocesan Seminary at the age of 13. At the seminary he came across Passionist literature, and although he had never met a Passionist, decided that was the call he wished to follow.
In 1957 he left Perth for the junior seminary at St Ives and then travelled to Goulburn in 1958 to undertake his novitiate.
From the time of his novitiate, until Bishop Goody of Bunbury, his former parish priest in Perth, ordained him in the Perth Cathedral on 2 January 1965, Justin’s communications with his family were by letter only.
From 1965–72 Justin was based in Sydney as the Foundation Director of pre-novitiate students. In 1972 he was appointed to Glen Osmond as Community Leader and Master of the Retreat House and reappointed to the Provincial Council as First Consultor. He suffered a period of ill health and as a result, spent part of 1975 and 1976 in Sydney and engaged in parish supply ministry. He was reappointed to Glen Osmond in 1977where he remained until his death.
Justin’s battle with ill health did not stifle his apostolic zeal. He poured his energies into his work as a counsellor, in his role as an official on the Marriage Tribunal and as canonical advisor to the Province.
Justin’s life has been a wonderful testimony to his faithfulness and determination. For the past 35 years he suffered ill health, sometimes of a very serious nature, and in recent years, was a friend to hospitals, nurses and medical procedures. Justin remained cheerful thoughtful and helpful. If God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7), then Justin was God’s man!
Who knows what different contribution Justin may have made had he not fallen on the green stairs at St Ives and suffered that serious injury! What we do know is that he “wore yesterday’s misfortune like a smile”, to quote Kris Kristofferson. He developed a deep spiritual life and he had a deep compassion for those who suffered. He liked to know what was going on, and combined with his sensitivity and personal gifts this enabled him to be a wonderful compassionate and supportive pastor, to so many people who stood by people year in and year out.
HOMILY: JUSTIN IVES
Homilist – Anthony Egar CP
When I was looking for a computer this morning to finalise in my head, the words I want to offer about Justin, Tiernan kindly suggested that I use Jussy’s computer. So first of all I had to find out the password, and discovered that no one in the house actually knew what the password is. So a new password was created; I do not know exactly whose idea it was, but the new one is: “Dockers0″. The reference is to the fact that his beloved Fremantle had never won a premiership. But I am sure knowing Justin’s grace and humour, he would get a chuckle out of that, though within himself probably feeling a little different.
It was a very strange experience sitting in the chair in which he sat so often, surrounded with clutter on the desk, books in the bookcase, Jussy’s “walking frame” and so much else that shouted his presence. I like to think that he was present when I was writing this.
And in our gathering this morning, and in all the preparation for this prayer, the beautiful eulogies, in the choice of readings, and in bread and wine, we are shouting out our appreciation of Justin’s life. The respect and thanksgiving that is here is very palpable.
Over the short time since Jussy died I am sure we have all learned a little more about Justin’s life than we had known before? Very sharply etched in my memory, as I am sure it is with Peter McGrath (who has, in fact, a far better ability to recall than I do!!) our first days at the juniorate at St. Ives in Sydney, when we first joined, aged 16 and 17. Peter, as he was still known to us then, was always very much part of the group, in his own quiet way. I was talking to our novice master, James Wood, over the weekend, and he was recalling how much “boy” Peter was, and how James, and perhaps the rest of us too, did not see entirely clearly the depth of heart, the extraordinary abilities, of the man into which Jussy grew.
One other memory, among so many, that springs to my mind, was a visit to St. Ives in the late sixties, early seventies, when the “professed” were playing the students a game of basketball in the gym. Jussy was the referee. He brought to that task the sharp legal mind he had, but I’m not sure his compassion had developed to a great extent, as there was at least one of the priests who was sent off. Perhaps justice had been done, though!
We have heard so many of the stories. I would like to reflect a little on Justin as I knew him, and I am sure this will coincide with your knowledge of Justin too.
I could say that “Justin was a man of great heart” and he was; that was how we know him in the 68 years that he was on this earth. But Justin still is, and so we can say that he is a man of great heart. To me he seemed to combine very well his sharp mind on which so many appreciated, and a depth of compassion and humility that is rare. This may sound as though we are ready to “canonize” Jus, but to me it is just the truth.
Jussy and I only lived for two years together in community, for all the years he was here in Adelaide: 1982 and 3. So it wasn’t as though I was seeing Justin’s work at close hand. But for someone who used his gifts of a sharp and insightful mind, and enjoyed using them for others, he also had the ability to combine that with great compassion and humility. This is how I will always think of Justin.
We Passionists relied so much on Justin’s advice for all sorts of situations, and there have been a few times when I have rung him up to help him sort out a difficult situation. Archbishops and Bishops, superiors of religious congregations, and many, many more have gone to Jus to ask his help, to seek his advice in sorting our complex problems.
In his work in the Marriage Tribunal, over the years, and in his work in Coolock house, Jus brought those abilities that assisted to much in management, but also brought that ability to relate to anyone, but perhaps particularly those who were suffering, a bit lost in life, in need, and to offer them a listening and sympathetic ear, understanding and compassion. I am sure that the greatest of Justin’s work for the Kingdom lies hidden in the hearts of those he helped.
The Word of God this morning speaks of the passionate, deep and very real love that God has for us, in that marvelous “Song of Songs”. It is a passionate love song between the lover and the beloved. Justin radiated that kind of love in his life.
The readings spoke of how we have to “let go” of many things, to clear the way for God’s love for us. What an amazing example of “letting go” and patience Jussy is, in the way he coped with years of physical fragility and suffering.
And the gospel paints a picture of a Christ and of a God who is humble who desperately wants to help us, to carry out burdens with is. I think Jussy is a very good mirror of those God-like characteristics. And very much to the fore in those God-like characteristics, is Jussy’s sense of humour. I am sure that helped him get through the difficulties of life. Jus was always on for a laugh and a chuckle. Most recently I experienced that because, when I carry my mobile around in my pocket and don’t lock it, I somehow seem to accidentally ring Justin!!! So, only a few weeks ago, I could here this voice coming from my pocket, and discovered it was Jus!!! In his tone of voice I could see him shaking his head and laughing as he just said: “Oh! Tony Egar!” It carried with is a hint of desperation that I still hadn’t learned to lock my mobile.
I don’t want to brush over the humanity of Jus. Like all of us he struggled with life; that struggling is now finished. Last Tuesday Peter McGrath and I, his classmates, had the privilege of coming to Adelaide and seeing Jus and saying goodbye to him. A sacred time and space in our lives. I am thinking, Judy, of how you told us that the night before Justin/Peter had been saying he would soon be seeing his beloved parents, and asking you is they would be proud of him. This too, is typical of Jus; that little self-doubt that plagues all human beings at one time or another.
Our lives are not so much what happens to us, but what we do with that, how we respond to what happens to us. Justin’s/Peter’s life has “happened” to us. We have been involved in it, and known his friendship, his love, his laughter, and perhaps sometimes the sharp or angry retort! How can we respond to that life, what can we do to use well the beautiful gift of Justin’s life? I think to accept graciously the wonderful gifts he offered us and try to give them freely to others, as Jus freely gave them to us. All we can do is say “thank you” Jus, and thank you our God, for the gift of your life. We could learn a little more that the gifts of love and compassion that shone through the humanity of Justin, are actually a mirror of who God is. This gift of his life is still with us, and still encouraging and supporting us. Justin, you are a man of great heart!
