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HIS PASSION WAS CHURCH LITURGY
(St. John’s – April 14, 2009) John Joseph Fardy passed peacefully away at the Health Sciences Centre on Monday, April 13, 2009. He was 83 years.
"Jack" is well known in the Archdiocese of St. John's for his work with the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, he has been associated with the office since 1979. This is the office in the Archdiocese that advises the Archbishop on all liturgical matters including reviewing documents from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and preparing archdiocesan celebrations, such as ordinations.
Many of the priests who were ordained in the Archdiocese in the past 30 years have worked with Jack.
Jack was passionate about promoting good liturgical practice in the archdiocese and encouraging the lay people in the parishes in the archdiocese to get more actively involved. He personally facilitated many workshops to help individuals to become more comfortable and familiar with the different ministers in the church. He has lead several music workshops, facilitated workshops for church lectors (readers) and in more recent years has been helping with establishing a bereavement teams in the parishes of the Archdiocese.
He was influential in developing a resource library in the Archdiocesan Liturgical Office that is now used extensively by individuals volunteering in parishes.
In more recent years he became best known, in all of the parishes in the Archdiocese, for his role in organizing the Chrism Mass. The Chrism Mass is the celebration in which all of the holy oils that are used during the course of the year, in all of the sacramental celebrations, are blessed by the Archbishop. Mr. Fardy for many years organized this event determined to highlight the importance of the place of the laity and the ordained priests At the Chrism Mass on April 7, 2009 Archbishop Martin Currie noted the absence of Mr. Fardy telling those assembled that he was in hospital recovering from an operation. He thanked Mr. Fardy for the work that he had done on the celebration prior to hospitalization and he asked that he and his family be remembered in their prayers.
Mr. Fardy was one of the key organizers of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Newfoundland in September 1984. He was the liaison between the Vatican representatives and the local liturgical arrangements committee.
At the Basilica Cathedral Parish, Mr. Fardy is well known to every parishioner. He was for many years a member of the Basilica Cathedral Parish Council.
He also over the years served as a lector, cantor, and choir member, member of the Basilica Bereavement team and on numerous committees.
His life was a testament of Christian faith. He lived his faith in his own personal prayer life, shared this faith with his family and was a public witness to the gospel by his gentle and humble service.
In May 2006 Pope Benedict XVI recognized the contributions of Mr. Fardy by presenting him with the distinguished award “Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice” The award and medal is presented to Catholics for their exceptional service to the Church and to the Pope.
Mr. Fardy is also remembered as one of the few remaining witnesses to the deadly 1942 Knights of Columbus fire in St. John¹s, which killed 99 people. He was decorated for the bravery he showed by trying to rescue some of the victims from the tragic fire.
He is predeceased by his son James.
He leaves to morn with fond and loving memories, his wife of 60 years, Olga; children David, Ken, Mary, Gerard and their families; daughter-in-law Debbie-Sue; extended family Walt Tracey and his family; as well as large number of friends.
Funeral arrangements are being attended to by Caul's Funeral Home, LeMarchant Road.
The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, April 16 at 11 a.m. from the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. No flowers by request.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Basilica Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.
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