JIm Littleton MSC, Funeral Mass and Burial

Eulogy, Bob Irwin MSC:

“I am the vine, you are the branches’ Whoever remains in me, with me in him BEARS FRUIT IN PLENTY”

Jim Littleton spent all of his adult life, from 18 to 96 in the presence of Christ, as an MSC for nearly 80 years and as a priest for 70 years…it is no wonder then that he “bore fruit in plenty”

Two years ago, Jim published his own brief autobiography, entitle “Many Blessings”, highlighting how blessed his life had been. Today. As we bid a fond farewell to this great man, we realsie hos blessed WE are by having him in OUR lives.

We are here today because we know and loved Jim, and each of us has their own fond memories of him…so obvious when I asked a few people about their memories.

It is my privilege  to say a few words for this man who welcomed me to Douglas Park, when I was a young teenager in 1961, and with whom last week as a couple of us sat beside his bed, praying for him, telling him we loved him and it was ok for him to go, as he gently breathed his last. A very peaceful death as befitted the man.

So lets remember what it is we are doing here this morning. We are here to pray for, give thanks for and try to emulate some of the qualities of Jim.

Jim Littleton, born in 1930 and came into the ambit of the MSC as an 11 year old as he entered Downlands College. An intelligent,sensitive, gifted boy from a talented and loving family who grew up to be a man of great kindness, a strong sense of justice, a man confident in his own skills, yet humbly aware of his own limitations.

Though a somewhat private man he was always people centered in all his dealings, always willing to listen, and an extraordinary gift of keeping in touch with so many people. He was an example of the well-balanced man, well read from Sacred Scripture to the form guide, broad interests from spirituality to art, rugby union, education, and horses. He loved his cards, his cheese and whisky as he watched quiz each night. Most of all he loved his friends, and if you were a friend of Jim you were a friend for life, and he easily overlooked your faults.

In 1948, at  about 18 years of age, he took his first vows as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and spent his whole life in being a true MSC dedicating all himself to bring Jesus message of love wherever he went, in community, education, staff students and parents, including great efforts with the Lay MSC. He will be forever remembered for the 28 or so booklets he lovingly wrote about MSC people and our mission places.

Ordained a priest in 1955, he lived his priesthood and all his ministries guided by his MSC spirit. He was a priest with heart!

As a churchman, he was completely dedicated to his Church, but he always believed in a church of compassion, not of fear…a church founded for the salvation of all and not for the condemnation of people. He was a harsh critic of any signs of hypocrisy in the church, including amongst its leaders, and used his strong convictions to call out any teaching that contradicted God’s love.

As a young prist it soon became obcvious that Jim had great leadership potential and he soon became an outstanding leader in MSC education, from the time of his time as Prefect of the Apostolic school at Douglas Park, through his times as headmaster, Director of MSC Education and Provincial Superior.

As an MSC priest educator, he wholeheartedly agreed with his old friend Harold Baker’s emphasizing the key aspect of a real MSC school.

Harold wrote:

“For an MSC school. The most important aspects of the school’s spirit are the way the staff treat each other, the way the staff treat the students and parents, and the way the students treat each other. In an MSC school there must be a web of relationships….students, parents, staff_ all interacting with caring, understanding, compassion, kindness and love.”

As an educator he was very forward thinking, open to change, innovative, but making sure that the ethos remained consistent. He trusted his staff in their roles, believing in subsidiarity and teamwork. Many of his confreres have said: “he let me do my job, he did not meddle, but he would help if needed. As one MSC teacher said: “he gave me room to move; room to be me”.

As Provincial Superior he led us with vision and calm with once again his focus on the people as he visited every community, affirming and challenging, encouraging the weaker and lifting burdens from any who were suffering or felt misplaced in the ministry to which they had been assigned.

At the end of his time as Provincial, his council prevailed on him to take up the reins of education and become the first Director of MSC Education. He fulfilled this role, as with all his commitment, with enthusiasm, and vision.

It is heartening to know that Jim’s requiem is occurring in the middle of the week when MSC education is holding its company meetings and all that entails, and a performance appraisal of one of our principals. Such meetings were introduced during Jim’s term as Director.

When he finally retired, he continued to live with grace and continued to show interest in the people and mission particularly at Daramalan where he spent so many  of his late years there . Then on to the Monastery at Kensington and finally at St Joseph’s.

But how cn we sum up the man? Despite the lengthiness of this homily, there is still a myriad of things that could be said of Jim.

Let me conclude with reference to the Psalm and the MSC rule of life, our constitutions, number 7.

We are meant to try to live ur lives as Christ did. For practically all his life Jim was a leader and I want to suggest an appropriate way to describe Jim is to acknowledge him as a GOOD SHEPHERD.

As we paraphrase Constitution 7 we can hear many aspects that we saw in Jim.

In Jim we saw a good shepherd, who knew his own, and gave his life to help them: he showed a deep concern for those who are considered unimportant and whose rights are disregarded

We learnt from him, who was gentle and humble of heart

He also made demands and spoke with authority.

To those how came to him, he gave his own strength and courage to help them live and work for justice and peace.

As Wisdom says: the souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God

Go in peace Jim, You good man.   

With thanks to John Walker MSC for all the photos.