FR BRYAN BUENGER'S VALEDICTORY SERMON

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Fr Bryan’s beloved Dannevirke parishioners kept St Brigid’s Pahiatua waiting this morning for his final Mass in NZ.  He said they all wanted a hug and who could blame them!  

‘Pa Bryan’, as he is affectionately called, at St Joseph's Dannevirke, was not only their ‘beloved’ priest, he was their spiritual director and formator. That set him apart in their hearts and in their souls.  He’d cared for them, loved them, and importantly, catechised them!  

Not that he failed to offer formation like that elsewhere in Tararua Parish– he did – but fewer wanted it and his time was limited.  He was forced to commit only to programmes where the Spirit was most active.  Though the rest of us missed out on some official catechetical programmes in the wider Tararua Parish, we were no less loved, cared for, and spiritually formed (if open and willing!).  

That sums up Fr Bryan’s priestly ministry in NZ. That'’s what set him apart.  He had a pastoral heart and a true calling by Christ to take up his cross and follow His Master – that is, follow Him in every way. 

There was no mumbo jumbo, 'progressive', secularised and watered-down teaching.  What we got was what Christ gave – good old fashioned Truth – laid bare!  And how truly refreshing and sweet, the water of Truth actually is! 

Like many locals I was there when Fr Bryan first visited us from the Seminary, was ordained into the Diaconate, and received the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  We were there for his first Mass of Thanksgiving at St Brigid’s and gathered today, sadly, for his last.  In that time, we have witnessed Fr Bryan grow spiritually through the grace he has been given. 

He’s held fast to his ‘orthodox’ faith and that means to the Gospel of Christ and  Truth.  He hasn’t succumbed to the Modernist heresy of ‘needing to keep up with the times’, watering down our beautiful Traditional Faith, and that’s why he’s been loved deeply; why we were kept waiting for his arrival today!  

It is also why he’s had to endure hardships and suffered a heart attack.  He’s been referred to as ‘the enemy’, and denounced, at times even publicly.  

He doesn’t see the need to build a ‘new church’ (or a ‘Church of Nice’) when the truth Jesus gave us and the Deposit of faith in the Magisterium of the Catholic Church has stood the test of time.  His homilies have always borne witness to such great faith!  They have been refreshing, provoking, and enticing!  He has given permission to publish his final one, openly today.  I can honestly say our souls have been enriched.  

I hope our Bishop Charles Drennan, who was notably absent today, realises just what a loss Fr Bryan’s departure is for this diocese, and for the salvation of souls.

Sharon Crooks.  

FR BRYAN’S FINAL HOMILY, ST BRIGID’S PAHIATUA, 10 FEB 2019:

We say it at every Mass just before we come to Holy Communion: 

“...But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” What exactly is that ‘'word” that we are waiting for Jesus to say to us to heal our soul?

I’ll come back to that in a moment. Working with high school students in the youth group was something I really enjoyed. Some were quite lukewarm in their faith, some truly doubted, and a few on fire for the faith. But there were always a few discussions that would draw everyone’s attention and of course they involved human sexuality.

In the teaching of the Church’s doctrine, the subject of celibacy versus multiple partners would usually prompt a question from nature. The kids would propose whatever animal behaviour they saw in nature and say, “Why can’t humans act like that if it is natural behaviour?” In answering the question, I would usually point out a few things that made animals different from humans.

There are many reasons, of course, but some of the things we would discuss would be that the human person is the only animal that can recognise its Creator.

Another is that the human person is the only animal that can freely choose to honour its Creator by forgoing essential things like food, drink, or conjugal relations in order to achieve a great good.

And, perhaps most beautifully, the human person can forgive the one who has badly hurt – physically or emotionally – the other by showing mercy and choosing freely not to seek the destruction of the other person.

Luke’s Gospel points to these realities and highlights how disciples – in Jesus’ time or in our time – are meant to cultivate these elements of their higher nature rather than remaining trapped in the petty concerns of this world.

The earth is indeed filled with the glory of God, as Isaiah proclaims, but Jesus shows Peter that this glory is not just something in a far-away prophecy; it is right here, right now. God’s glory is in front of us at this moment; but our eyes are veiled with our sinfulness and we do not see God’s work as clearly as we could or should.

St Peter is a good, hard-working man, but he realises he hasn’t believed in the power of God at work in his life. It was this physical event of a miraculous catch of fish that helped Peter move beyond his sinfulness to see God’s work in the world. And because of that he feels ashamed, falls down on his knees and says, “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

It’s a great example to help us ask what in this world or in ourselves might be blocking our eyes from seeing how God is working in this world – and within us.

In a discussion with the teens on how God came to save us, one asked, “From what has He saved us?”

How might you answer that question – for the teen and for yourself? In our relativistic world, and for some in the Church hierarchy where one’s conscience is now promoted as the determiner of what is right and wrong, this question demonstrates an earthly focus or even a lack of understanding of Jesus’ mission.

He came to save us from living a life of selfish isolation, from living unconnected to the power of the Divine, from living without intimate and personal understanding of the real power given to us who are absolutely able to love and forgive and live in holy communion with the Father and with one another.  That’s what makes us different from animals; that makes us His beloved sons and daughters.

We can live this way – if we choose. Luke’s Gospel points out that the power has been given to us to live as children of a loving and merciful God. St Paul testifies in 1st Corinthians that God’s grace has made him what he is, and that grace worked powerfully in him. St Paul acutely felt the mercy of Jesus in having saved him from his violent and degrading ways, putting him on the right path as a true son of God.

Peter also realised his sinfulness and blindness, but that realisation only let him live with the Lord. Learning how to live in Christ came from a long journey on the path of discipleship – just as it is for each one of us, myself included.

In order to see our God as He is, we must realise our sinfulness and blindness, just as St Paul did. That will allow us to see the Holy Eucharist for exactly what It is – Christ Himself; His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

At the beginning I asked a question: “What exactly is that word that we are waiting to hear from Christ?”

That word is the same command the centurion heard: “Go, let it be done for you according to your faith.”

And that statement begs the question: just what is your faith?

In whom or in what do you put your faith?

Bob Gill says:

During the two years I have lived in Dannevirke, I feel privileged to have known Father Bryan. Through my fruitless arguments via the Palmerston North hierarchy on matters of faith and at the same time the encouraging stance of Father Bryan, it didn’t take me long to appreciate just how far some priests have deviated from orthodoxy. From my observation, Father Bryan was a lone voice in the Palmerston North Diocese – their loss, I’m afraid. Sorry to farewell our friend, but I wish him well as he returns to an established orthodox diocese where I am sure his talents will be more appreciated. Note: A wonderful turnout of PARISHIONERS for Father’s farewell – and not a single Church representative, that I could see!	Julia du Fresne	on 24/02/19