2. Letter

“Take it as a challenge” (Fr. Bill)

Dear Friends of our Beloved Fr. Bill,

Like myself, I am sure a lot of you are still in shock and disbelief at the death of our beloved teacher and brother. 

Our greatest consolation is that he is now most definitely in the presence of the One he spoke so lovingly about to us every minute of his life.  We are the true witnesses of how he lovingly did indeed ‘give every second of his life, every cell of his body’ to Him whom he now can see face to Face.

In the shock of his death, I wrote about the cancellation of Knock and left the remainder of the year’s schedule at a standstill, since I could not think at the time what to do.  However, since that, I believe that even though Fr. Bill may be gone from our sights, he is most certainly not gone from our thoughts and memories.  I also believe, like the Hound of Heaven he spoke of each week, he himself is beginning to ‘hound’ me!!!!!!!

Naturally in the last few years and especially the most recent months, we had spoken about his death and his mission and his wishes after his death.  These conversations are coming strongly to mind and to give it to you in brief, I believe Fr. Bill would most certainly not want us to stop now.  He did not start this worldwide evangelization mission, just to have it ended upon his death.  This was most certainly not his intention.  We simply cannot allow all the love and untiring work he put into this world, to be forgotten and left to die. 

Just like Jesus was with the apostles for three years, teaching and preparing them (unknown to them) for his eventual departure, then sending them out all over the world to continue His Mission, so too have we now all been ‘taught and prepared’ by Fr. Bill to go out also and continue his mission.

Of course, there will never be another Fr. Bill – this is a fact.  But Fr. Bill’s mission was evangelization and Total Person Therapy -  a fact he would always argue.  It was not about him but about Jesus.  His retreats tell us this, when every sentence he spoke contained the words Jesus or Bible. He was, as he repeatedly told us,  ‘a donkey for Jesus’! 

I would like each of you to think and pray hard – speak with Fr. Bill – he now has all the time in the world to listen to us and in his own way, he will answer our questions.  I  remember how, sometimes exhausted during counselling late at night, people would come out and tell me ‘he fell asleep and I didn’t have the heart to waken him’ and then suddenly he would awake and ask them a question out of the blue which was exactly what was needed,  Upon their answer, he would give them the advice and walk out on air!  So even though he is by no means sleeping, he will answer us and above all, I know he will help us if we are open to continuing to work for his mission.  He told us how he would work even harder in Heaven – so he is waiting on our requests!!  And again, knowing Fr. Bill, he would want our first priority to be ‘ bring them to a retreat’!!!!

I will be speaking hopefully with his Provincial and I intend asking him about plans to allow one of Fr. Bill’s disciples to continue his work.  I know he had some, specifically in mind to follow him.  What I need to know from you all is if you would still be willing to continue to organise the retreats and see how things go?

He did all the ‘ground’ work and I firmly believe its now up to us to continue the ‘building’.

So who is up for the challenge??  Please get back to me ASAP!!

So, giving Fr. Bill the last word……

       “ DON’T WORRY!!  BE HAPPY!!

                  DO IT FOR JESUS ”

God bless you all

Fr. Bill, RIP - upcoming schedule for 2008

Due to the sudden departure of our beloved Fr. Bill, we wish to inform you that for the time being, we will NOT cancel any retreat engagements.  Fr. Bill would wish his mission to be continued and we hope that one of his chosen disciples will continue this great work.  Some representatives from Europe and USA will be travelling to Entebbe to attend Fr. Bill's funeral and we will speak with his Provincial.  As soon as we know how to proceed, we will inform you on this website.  As Fr. Bill would say, 'Don't worry, BE HAPPY!'  You can also contact the individual representatives from each country for further information regarding the schedule. 

THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU.

Update 18.03.2008:

It has been confirmed that Father Bill's Mission (RIP) will be continued immediately! That means the schedule is still valid.

1. Letter

IRELAND
Friday 14th March, 2008
01.50am

Dearest Friends of our BELOVED Fr. BILL,
 

It is with the deepest regret that I must inform you all that our beloved Fr. Bill passed away just a few hours ago in Gulu, Uganda.  He had been giving a Popular Mission there.

The Lord I believe must have felt it more fitting that his loyal and tireless servant celebrate his Golden Jubilee with Him in Heaven and for this I am happy.

I received a call from his great worker, Fr. Binu in Entebbe.  He had just heard the news and naturally was in great shock.  He told me Fr. Bill had taken ill and was brought to the hospital and went into a coma and died.  Fr. Binu was not with him but was on the way to the hospital when he called me.  I believe he got a pain in his chest and died about 2.30am. 

I had just spoken with Fr.Bill on Tues night and as always, he was in great form.
 

I have also been told by Fr. Binu of the following:

Fr. Bill will be buried in Entebbe and his funeral will take place on:
 

WEDNESDAY, 19th March,  Feast day of St. Joseph, 

Fr. Binu said the funeral most likely will be in the afternoon – this again I am not sure of but most likely to give people time for travel, etc. 

For  your information, Fr. Binu said that it is possible to obtain a visa ON ARRIVAL in ENTEBBE.  This may make it easier for lack of time available.

Unfortunately in Ireland, today (Friday) and Monday are feastdays (St. Patrick) and I believe all embassies will be closed.  So already Fr. Bill is helping us in this respect! 

I shall put any other details on the main website www.frbill.net  when I get them but think the above is enough for anyone thinking of attending his funeral.  Those who intend to travel to Entebbe, please let me know as soon as possible, as Fr Binu said he would try and book accommodation nearby and I should inform him of numbers.

What else can I say – I know, like myself, you will all be in shock.  The only consolation we have is this very special person we all knew and loved and who wanted to make us all HAPPY, is most deserving and definitely extremely HAPPY now himself and celebrating his Jubilee at the Heavenly Banquet with the Holy Trinity, Our Blessed Mother, all the Angels and Saints in Heaven and of course, not least his own earthly family – I don’t know of anyone on this earth who deserves this more than our beloved Fr. Bill.  He can now speak face to Face with the Jesus he so lovingly spoke of all these years.

Just like St. Therese, he often said he would NEVER lie still even in Heaven so let us now begin our requests and get his path for Sainthood started as soon as possible!  He gave every minute of his life while with us, so let us now repay him for his unending love and tireless work.  I believe we should do our best, in thanksgiving, to begin a process for this.  Those of you who want to join me in this, please contact me by email.  Meanwhile we pray for this.

There is nothing left to say.  His hundredfold reward he now enjoys with all the Saints he spoke of every day.  It was our greatest priviledge and honour to know and serve this Saint on earth. 

I know he will never forget us either in Heaven.

Regarding the retreats, I was told by Fr. Jose to cancel the ones closest, namely Belgium, Ireland and the Healing Services in N. Ireland, Uk. And Germany. 

I am not sure if it will be arranged for another priest to take over the remaining schedule or what you, the organizers want, so please let me know.  The final decision will be made by the Provincial regarding his schedule but obviously this will take some time.  Again, I will put this information on his main website when I get it.

May our dearest Fr. Bill rest in peace AMEN. 

GOD BLESS YOU ALL and thank you

Funeral

Fr. Bill will be buried in Entebbe and his funeral will take place on
 

WEDNESDAY, 19th March,  Feast day of St. Joseph, 

2pm UGANDA TIME (GMT +3).

Find more information and a contact address on the reporter information site.

Funeral Broadcast

The Funeral will be broadcasted on Radio Maria the 19th March 2008 at 11:00 GMT (14:00 Uganda Time).

To listen to it, click on the link below and then go to "RM Uganda".

http://www.radiomaria.org/emt_media.asp?LNG=ENG&MNU=01&SUB=01&SLC=SUB&PRG=MDAS#

I would be thankfull if anybody could record it digitaly and send it to me, so I can put it on this website. Thanks a lot! [webmaster]