Fr Jim Harris, an Irish Dominican, died suddenly of a heart attack this evening in the Dominican Priory in Newbridge.
Jim was a gifted man, a fine teacher and a kind kind man.
His father was the first Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare.
He saw through so much of the clerical nonsense, sat back and privately grimaced at it all.
He was a boarder at Newbridge College. At the end of term, parents would arrive in their fine cars to collect their sons. On one occasion Jim's brother arrived in an ass and cart to collect him.
He spent a number of years teaching in the school. He once set a Latin paper, on one side of the sheet there was a passage to translate from English to Latin, on the other side, the same passage, to be translated from Latin to English.
One of the students, who did not spot the 'trick', is one of those now making the headlines in the Irish media.
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10 comments:
Tell us more about the Latin/English/Latin paper.
Did all bar one get 100% or what?
Less than two weeks ago I asked him about it. He explained the story to me, but alas I have forgotten the text used. I think it was from Caesar.
Jim was indeed a very kind man. I remember the first time I met him, I was a little bowled over by the 'enormity' of his personality. However I had the good sense to see behind the façade, and discovered a very hospitable and kind man. I was a student at the time, and he very graciously invited me to lunch in Bridge street, and afterwards I could investigate the church at my leisure. Rest in peace Jim.
DJM.
The number of hits on this post has broken all records. Thank you Polo and DJM.
My parents were in the church on Saturday evening and were among members of the congregation who were with Fr. Jim when he died. Myself I had the fortune of working in Newbridge as a musician over a number of years in the past and I was always keenly aware of Fr. Jim's humble nature and of his generous spirit. He had a profound effect on those who knew him, and although it only a minor detail, but the fact that he was with lay members of congregation and members of his own order at the time of his death is testament to a man who dedicated his life to his community and to his parishioners.
Padraig Meredith, thank you for your touching words on Jim Harris. Indeed, I don't think it's any 'minor detail' about where he died. Something prophetic about it.
I, too, was in the church on Saturday evening when Fr. Jim collapsed and died. I think it was a wonderful time and place to go.....in the church, about to hear confessions, among the people of Newbridge, supported by the prayers of the assembling congregation. It was a great shock for all of us. Fr. Jim's homilies were great. I remember one in particular. Some time earlier he had missed a step descending from the pulpit, reached for something to hold on to and found nothing so he fell. This formed the basis for a lovely reflection on the support and comfort our faith in The Lord gives us....when we stumble and reach out He is always there. Can't do it justice as Fr Jim did but the message has stayed with me. R.I. P
Thank you for your inspiring words. And so edifying too. Words to build one up. Great.
Yesterday we laid Father Jim to rest and I came away from Newbridge feeling very privileged to have known him.
Our connection stretched from 1972 when as a nervous second year I was introduced to things Dominican and to what was to be our last chat in November 2013 when we had lunch with Heffo.
Looking back I realised that our connection had spanned over four decades through the years at Newbridge College to his coaching the seconds team at Athy RFC, to celebrating my marriage to Lol and to a variety of little “jobs” he asked for my help on.
Living in London since the 1980s reduced the opportunity to meet but when we did catch up he always sought news of other past pupils who were in the “big smoke”. His concern demonstrated for me his pastoral role in spades.
Little did we know when we met up in November that it would be the finale. Accompanied by his great buddy Johnno, we went to lunch at the Keadeen. On arrival, I was told that no tables were available but on seeing who was in the group a table mysteriously appeared – it’s a funny old world. Our conversation was wide-ranging and Harris was in great form with his usual dry, witty quips. We returned to the college for coffee and Jim “procured” some treats for dessert.
Lol and I shall remember with fondness a truly humble, genuine man. He was a true pastor for us and he certainly lived up to his vocation.
Ah yes, I could see how that table suddenly appeared and how Jim's eyebrow would move.
Your kind words are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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