By Fr Robert O’Bryan
GERALDTON Bishop Justin Bianchini recently received the sad news that Fr Pat Littlewood died suddenly in Kaitaia in New Zealand.
Fr Littlewood served the Diocese of Geraldton for nearly 18 years before heading off to New Zealand when the Mill Hill Congregation pulled out of the diocese due to low numbers of men available. He served the parish of St John the Baptist in South Hedland as parish priest before spending two years in Geraldton as assistant priest and another two years as assistant priest at St Paul’s in Karratha.
Born in South Yorkshire in England, Fr Littlewood was ordained priest at St Thomas of Canterbury, Fulham on 19 October 1968 for the Diocese of St Joseph’s Society for Foreign Missions; it was 20 years later that he arrived in the Geraldton Diocese, after spending many years working in various parts of Africa.
In advising the priests of the Geraldton Diocese of Fr Littlewood’s sad passing, Bishop Justin Bianchini wrote, “For many years Fr Littlewood was on medication for a blood condition and at times when things got out of order he had big seizures. This was one he didn’t come out of.”
Bishop Justin continued, saying: He (Fr Littlewood) had only returned a week ago from home leave for two months with his family in the UK – during which time he had celebrated his 70th birthday. From reports from his family, the holiday was a wonderful one.
The priests of the diocese have related many stories of Fr Littlewood, including his liking of a regular serve of bacon and eggs and his many humorous stories of the African Bishops he worked for over the years.
“Pat’s wish was to be buried in Kaitaia, the last place he ministered in and was so happy in. Fr Michael VG represented the diocese at Fr Littlewood’s funeral”, said the Bishop.
“May his wonderful missionary spirit rest now in peace.”
Fr Michael Morrissey travelled from the Army Training Centre near Wagga Wagga in NSW to attend the funeral held on Thursday, 28 April in St Joseph’s Parish Church, Kaitaia. In speaking after the funeral, Fr Morrissey said, “Fr Pat’s brother, Bernard Littlewood, said that Fr Pat had wanted to be buried in Kaitaia if he died there because that was his home and parish.”
The principal celebrant of the Funeral Mass was Bishop Pat Dunn of Auckland and 17 priests concelebrated.
Fr Pat’s family was represented by his brother Bernard and his wife Pat, along with cousins living in Melbourne.
The local Church of St Joseph was full to capacity with parishioners and the wider community of Kaitaia. The Maori community gave a wonderful welcome to the Mass and their affection and respect for Fr Littlewood was expressed in words and beautiful singing of Maori songs.
Fr Michael Morrissey spoke at the Mass of three things that were important to Fr Pat: his love for his family and their love and concern for him despite the distance, his love for his priesthood, the Mill Hill Society and mixing with fellow priests and, finally, his desire to be a missionary which meant his love and commitment for the local people whether it was in Kenya, South Hedland or Kaitaia.
Fr Michael continued, saying, “All spoke of their genuine affection for Fr Littlewood and he would be missed by many around the world. Fr Littlewood now rests in a beautiful cemetery overlooking Kaitaia. Fr Pat was given to uttering prophetic words at times.
“As he got off the plane at Kaitaia a week before he died, with great joy to his close friends, Jack and Vera Katavich, he said that his home was here and he would not want to be anywhere else. May he rest in peace after labouring for the Lord and the people for 43 years.”