Page 15 - Unity Edn 43

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person when we wanted to know where to buy what When This is Over
we needed to furnish our house. He appeared to have
contacts everywhere and if he didn’t, he would find
someone for us to contact; Mick helped us to bridge When this is over,
the culture gap that we felt in coming from Ballarat to may we never again take for granted
Darwin".
a handshake with a stranger
full shelves at the store
Sister Carmel Setford who in 1983 – while I was still
in Darwin - was the Founding Principal at Holy Family conversations with neighbours
Primary School, concluded: “All of us who have known a crowded theatre
and worked with Mick held him in the highest esteem Friday night out
and considered him a friend. Over the years I have had the taste of communion
contact with Mick from time to time. The most recent of
these was a few weeks ago when he rang for a ‘catch- a routine check-up
up’. In true Mick style he didn’t focus on himself or make the school rush each morning
mention of his recent medical diagnosis. Hence I was coffee with a friend
shocked to hear of his death. I would love to be present the stadium roaring
with you today in Darwin to farewell Mick.” each deep breath
a boring Tuesday
On a more personal note let me say that when I returned
to Darwin after more than 20 years outside Australia, I life itself.
found Mick was still tirelessly working pro bono on behalf
of the refugees and asylum seekers in our detention When this ends
centres here and elsewhere. He often worked from our may we find that we have become
diocesan office in Stuart Park. Invariably upon entering, more like the people we wanted to be,
instead of going straight to his office, he would come into
mine for a chat. He always had some newsworthy, and we were called to be,
often enough spicy piece of news to share with me - more we hoped to be.
often spicy than simply newsworthy! And may we stay that way
- better for each other because of the
Just three weeks ago he told me that his doctors did worst.
not expect him to have a long life. He agreed when I
tentatively queried two years more. None of us could Laura Kelly Fanucci
have predicted that it would only be two weeks more…

So many people’s lives will be the poorer for Mick’s Spotted in the Xavier Catholic College Newsletter
passing but we have all been greatly enriched by his
friendship, his humanity, his outstanding helpfulness
and the practical living out of the faith he embraced as a
young adult. I speak on behalf of the diocese and on my
own behalf in extending condolences to Mick’s family and
friends.

A great man has gone from among us.

From the Eulogy given by
Fr. Malcom Fyfe MSC VG

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