Death of Fr. George Leach

Before Easter Sunday morning Fr. George passed away in his sleep. He was our founding director, and had been assigned to a new position in Toronto, as Rector of Regis College, in charge of the formation of young Jesuits in their last years of study for the priesthood. George and I are the same age. He was transferred to Toronto after 12 years in Halifax, and I to to Halifax after 44 years in Toronto. The Lord took him and left me behind to care for the Jesuit Center of Spirituality which he nurtured in its early years. May I receive the grace to be faithful to the community of supporters of the JCS, many of whom are friends of his over many years.

A death like this one looms large. The funeral in Toronto went very well, I am told, and we are planning two events in Halifax, a remembrance event in the parish with which George was associated off and on over recent years, St. Patrick's (Sunday Apr 19, 11.30 am), and a more formal memorial service and mass (Thursday Apr 23, 7.00 pm, also at St. Pat's). I am beginning to realize the wide roots which George had in this community, the depth of mourning of many people who shared his life here.

May the Risen Lord welcome him. He preached the word in season and out of season, helped many persons and communities be sensitive to the Spirit in their lives, and led the community in prayer. May he share fully the banquet of eternal life which is foreshadowed by the Eucharist which he celebrated so often.