Homily preached by Fr. Robert Ng Chi-fan at Fr. O’ Rourke’s Requiem Mass

My dear Wah Yan friends,

We have gathered here today to celebrate a Requiem Mass for Fr. Paddy O’ Rourke who died last Wednesday. For most of you he was either a teacher, a colleague or a good friend.

Fr. O’ Rourke was born on May 22nd 1924 in Kildimo, Co Limerick Ireland. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1942 at the age of 18. After completing his novitiate he studied Arts for three years in University College, Dublin and Philosophy for three years in St. Stanislaus’ College, Rahan. In 1950 at the age of 26 he was assigned to Hong Kong where he studied Cantonese for two years and taught for one year in Wah Yan College on Robinson Road. He went to Ireland in 1953 to study Theology. He was ordained in 1956. In 1958 he returned to Hong Kong. From then until 1989 he taught in Wah Yan as a full time teacher. In 1989 he retired but continned to teach and to involve himself in student activities.

On Wednesday 17th December 2003 he collapsed and died of a heart attack in the Boy’s Chapel at some time around 4:00 p.m. He was 79½ years old.

Hong Kong people appreciate stability greatly. Fr. O’ Rourke was a very stable person indeed! He believed that things’ shouldn’t be changed if they were good, so he stayed in Wah Yan for 45 years and never left it. He lived in the same room for those 45 years and every morning had his breakfast at 6:45. Then he started his day’s work. His main responsibility was teaching, especially teaching English. He had his own special way of teaching. For the first few minutes of each class he asked his students to repeat again and again words which could be easily misspelt. Then he would ask them to memorise some proverbs. Fr. O’ Rourke was the teacher who helped me most to improve my English. If a student couldn’t answer his questions he would poke him with his finger until the right answer came. But he didn’t confine himself to helping the students in class. He trained them to take part in English debates and verse-speaking competitions. He continued to do so almost to the very end of his life. Shortly before he died he acted as judge in one of the competitions. It can truly be said that he worked humbly and simply until his death.

Many people can be good teachers but, as a Jesuit and priest, Fr. O’ Rourke came to Hong Kong from Ireland to fulfil a further mission. He wanted people to know God. He liked teaching English but he liked teaching religion even more. He gave religious instruction and was spiritual director of a Catholic society. He was very happy when a student was baptised.

His apostolate extended beyond the school. He was chaplain to the locally enlisted Hong Kong Regiment (“The Volunteers”) On Sundays he went for many years to St Margaret’s Parish and Christ the King Chapel to offer Mass.

As a Jesuit and missionary he was a traditional type. He followed the rules carefully. He was obedient. He led a simple life and was generous in sharing with others. When I was a student I used to see poor people coming up to Wah Yan every Saturday to look for help. It was always Fr. O’ Rourke who came downstairs to talk to them and give them some money. For many years he was the Minister of the Jesuit community and as Minister was very willing to share with those in need. In St. Mathew’s Gospel Jesus speaks of the criteria for judgment on the Last Day. The criteria are almost exclusively concerned with helping those who need our help. Fr. O’ Rourke will get high marks in this area.

Those who know Fr. O’ Rourke were well aware of how much he liked football. He playing football when he was young. In the 60’s the “Fathers’ team” always beat the students’ team. A few of the Fathers played for the Hong Kong Football Club. Fr. O’ Rourke played on the left wing and the students found it very hard to block his very accurate centering of the ball. When football was mentioned, one could see a big smile on his face. Friends know that the Fathers liked football so they generously installed Cable TV for them. This gave Fr. O’ Rourke the entertainment he loved. His favourite team was Manchester United, probably because there were always Irish players on the Manchester United team.

The reason why I mention his love of football is to show that Fr. O’ Rourke was not a rather remote, distant priest and missionary. On the contrary, he mixed with ordinary people and shared their likes and interests. He insisted, however that entertainment should be healthy. This reflects his character. He was an upright man, but a humorous one too.

Since Fr. O’ Rourke loved games and sporting activities it would be appropriate and the truth to quote of him St. Paul’s words. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Tim 4:7 & 8)

When Jesuits die, they wish to go to the Lord quickly, They envy those who manage not to delay on their way to Him!

Fr. Corbally died while eating his breakfast, Fr. Doody while offering Mass. Last year Fr. McLoughlin died in his sleep. The Lord was merciful to Fr. O’ Rourke. At noon on Wednesday 17th Fr. O’ Rourke arranged with a colleague to have some Masses offered. Before 5:00 p.m. he died while praying in the chapel.

We chose to have Fr. O’ Rourke’s Requiem Mass in the school chapel because it has a special meaning for him and for us. He served Wah Yan for 45 years. This is the chapel he loved and looked after. Here he offered numerous Masses. Here he prayed for the students.

I am sure he will be happy to say “good-bye” to the teachers and students in this place. He must be happy to have two Bishops and many priests offering Mass for him, his student to preach about him and so many teachers and students, past and present, to pray for him.

Those who spoke to him recently must feel a little sad at his passing. But for a Jesuit to die in the bosom of the Lord is a consoling thing. Let us unite in praying for him who offered his life to God by his work of education among the students of Wah Yan. May he hear the words of to-days Gospel being addressed to him by Our Lord himself. “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mathew 11:28)

1