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On Saturday the 9th of June Bishop Michael received word that Fr John Martin CSsR had passed away peacefully in his sleep at Hollywood Hospital in Perth.
Fr John belonged to the Redemptorist Community in North Perth and was, up until recently, the Parish Priest of St Cecilia’s Parish in Port Hedland for many years. Fr John was saddened to have to leave Port Hedland and return to Perth due to his declining health, after the return of his cancer. Though physically out of the Diocese, he was never really too far away through his prayers and loving concern for the Clergy and Religious of the Diocese, and especially for his Port Hedland people.
Fr John had a special way about him and he his friendship and wisdom will certainly be missed by many. As a friend of his once described him, ‘With John, it’s never about John. He’s constantly and unobtrusively reaching out to the person God puts before him, and with his fine-tuned listening skills, he captures the unspoken words. He cares deeply about the life battles of the individual’.
At the end of his email Bishop Michael sent the clergy and religious and staff of the Diocese informing them of Fr John’s death, he said, “All of us will very much miss Fr John. He has well and truly fought the good fight and is now resting with God...”.
All agree with Bishop Michael. He is missed and he is resting with God. Rest in Peace Fr John. You were only small in stature but you have left some very large footprints in the lives of those you touched.
A Vigil Mass will be celebrated for Fr John at the North Perth Monastery, 190 Vincent Street, North Perth, on Wednesday, 13th June, at 7.00pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the North Perth Monastery on Thursday, 14th June, at 11.00am.