A parishioner honoured by the Pope for his service to seafarers was farewelled at St Michael’s church in Remuera on January 18.
Philip Dromgool
Philip Dromgool died in Auckland on December 19. He was 85. In 2014, he received the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Francis. A report in NZ Catholic at the time stated that he had given 20 years of service at that stage in the Apostleship of the Sea in Auckland. His work over those years reportedly involved management of the seafarer’s centre in Auckland, taking seafarers to Mass at the cathedral and supporting them when required.
At the Mass at St Michael’s, Mr Dromgool’s many contributions to the parish and to other Catholic groups were noted. He had also had a leadership role in a Legion of Mary praesidium. He was noted for providing transport to take several elderly parishioners to and from Sunday Mass in Remuera, and he also assisted with weekly community meals in a nearby suburb for many years.
In his homily, Fr Stephen Berecz said the Gospel reading about the beatitudes fitted with Mr Dromgool’s “practicality”.
“Life can be so complex,” Fr Berecz said. “Philip had the solution. Keep it simple. Do the simple things well and appreciate the extraordinary things – God’s grace and God’s love.”
“I’m going to miss the hand that would shoot out because he wanted my keys to put the collection in the presbytery. The greeting at the end of Mass, the occasional chat, and the wonderful faith that this man had,” Fr Berecz added.
“There is something about the simplicity of faith that one has to be humble before.”
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