On Friday, January 24^th, the principal, staff and students of Fatima College, along with some past students, parents and friends of the late Fr. Martin O'Dwyer assembled at St. Theresa's Church, Woodbrook for a requiem Mass in his memory.

When Fr. O'Dwyer's funeral took place on December 10^th last year, the students were doing their end-of-term examinations and few could attend.

His Grace Archbishop Anthony Pantin was chief celebrant. Other Holy Ghost Fathers attending included Frs. Joe Harris, Provincial; Peter Nicholas, Anthony de Verteuil, Gervais Girod, Knolly Knox, Kevin Power, Andy Cockburn, Lennox McPhillip, Herbert Charles and Gregory Augustine. Fr. Robert Llanos, a past student, also celebrated along with Fr. Michel de Verteiul, the homilist.

To the music of the Holy City played on trumpet (Etienne Charles), saxophone (Anthony Woodroffe) and organ (Myrtle Cumberbatch) the procession of acolytes and clery wended its way to the altar through a guard of honour of college cadets.

Bernard Tappin, vice principal, welcomed the congregation who had come to pay tribute to Fr. O'Dwyer forhis twenty years at Fatima as teacher, confessor, legionary, friend and model priest.

Fr. Michel de Verteuil used the text of the First Reading (from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians) to make a number of comparisons. St. Paul spoke of the "infinite treasures of Christ" to an early Church which did not always easily welcome non-Jews intot eh fold.

In his own time, St. Francis de Sales, saint of the day, also brought out the "infinite treasures of Christ" to the ordinary people at a time when it was generally accepted that only the clergy and religious were entitled to develop spiritually.

In our own time, Fr. O'Dwyer gave his life to bringing the same "infinite treasures of Christ" to the younger boys of the college whom he delighted in serving. Fr. O'Dywer took great pleasure in teaching religion to the Form Two students.

Fr. Michel recalled Fr. O'Dwyer as an inspiration to him. remembering also the happiness that Fr. 'Matty' got from being able to be available to the students for confession. He was able to do this up to the year before his death.

After Communion, Maurice Brash selected for the meditation the Libera Me form Faure's Requiem. Mervyn Moore, principal, then delivered an appreciation of Fr. O'Dwyer.

Born on October 19^th, 1909 at Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland, Fr. O'Dywer studied for the priesthood at Kimmage. He was ordained in 1935 and came to Trinidad in 1938 to St. Mary's where he served as bursar, teacher and legionary. In 1976 he was transferred to Fatima College where he was to remain until his death on December 8^th, 1996.

Mr. Moore recalled Fr. O'Dywer's readiness to serve, recounting the time when he willingly agreed to say Mass at a camp for the students at Teteron Bay. This necessitated his having to walk overland. The principal expressed his appreciation of the devotion of Fr. O'Dywer to administering the sacrament of reconciliation. He was daily in the college chapel from 12:30pm to counsel, not only the boys but many a member of staff as well.

Fr. O'Dywer's commitment to the college was reflected in his willingness to take religion classes in Form Two up to three years ago. He was always willing to prepare students for their First Holy Communion.

The college mourns the passing of yet another devoted Holy Ghost Father, who came from Ireland and who elected to be buried in their adopted homeland.

For many, the most notable memory is of Fr. O'Dwyer standing on the balcony of his living apartments on the third storey of the main building. Hands clenched on the railings, Fr. O'Dwyer would look down upon the daily routines of both teachers and students, much as would the devoted shepherd keeping watch over his beloved sheep.

May his soul rest in peace

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