Fr Alphonsus Richardson died at Goosnargh on 2nd August. What follows is the panegyric preached at his funeral.
Let us recall some memories of Fr Alphonsus before we place his body in its grave beside the church. He was born eighty-four years ago into a soundly Catholic family, valued members of the parish of St Alban in Warrington. His father was organist there for many years, and had used his artistry and professional skill to adorn the walls of the church.
Alphonsus - the name was given to him at his baptism - was sent to Ampleforth in 1897. His solid piety, sound character and quiet courage soon made a deep impression on his contemporaries. He could have been a dominant figure had he cared to, but he was then and always content to remain in the background, dealing efficiently with whatever claimed his attention. It was characteristic that at football, if such may be mentioned here, he played, not among the thrusting forwards, but at back, where he offered a rock-like opposition to any who tried to pass him. He was a popular and respected boy. When he left school he had not shown any sense of a vocation to the priesthood. He trained and qualified as a teacher, and taught for some years. He married and had a child. Then a grievous blow fell: his wife and infant child died within a few months of each other. Whatever was the secret history of his soul in that distress, in some way he became convinced that God had designed a different life for him. He returned to Ampleforth, and was received into the novitiate in his thirty-fifth year. It was a cause of some amusement to both that the monk who was his novice-master was the priest who had officiated at his marriage a few years earlier.
To those who had known him in boyhood his life as a monk presented no notable change, save for a slow but far-reaching growth in gentleness. There was the same deep but undemonstrative piety, the same clock-like regularity, the strength of will, the quiet geniality of which they had long been aware; and the same thoroughness and efficiency.
Memory recalls that when he was appointed to take charge of some minor departments of community life and work he scrutinized the methods in use, and soon introduced extensive modifications. He would not be deflected nor even affected by the cries of those who found themselves being improved. He had not learnt, but he did learn later, to hasten slowly.
After some years of community life he was assigned to parochial work, first in Dowlais, South Wales, under Fr Anselm Wilson, then in St Peter's, Liverpool, under Fr Basil Primavesi; and finally, in 1930, he was sent to the Hill Chapel of St Francis, Goosnargh.
His predecessor spent a few weeks with him before retiring to his allotted place. He was a dear good priest, holy and lovable, but long past his best; and at his best he had not been conspicuously successful in administration. It was charming to see how gently Fr Alphonsus with his so different gifts treated the older man while he painlessly extracted necessary information about parish affairs. Divine grace had softened and mellowed him.
Of his work here the parishioners are the best witnesses. What was visible to the bodily eye was the vast improvement in the state of the property, and, more remarkable, its maintenance at the highest pitch of repair and upkeep. It is not unusual for a new broom to sweep clean; but it is fit matter for admiring comment when the same broom after over thirty years has lost none of its searching activity.
More important was his devoted assiduity in his care of the Parishioners, both those who lived in their own homes, and those in the great institution that lies within the parish boundaries. There is no doubt, although he did not wear his heart on his sleeve, that this was a labour of love: his warm regard for his parishioners frequently revealed itself. Nor did they, though no more demonstrative than he, fail to show their affection and trust.
Those who knew him only in days of their well-being and happiness, marking his massive frame, as it was while his health lasted, and the line of his jaw, and his downright manner of speech, may well have doubted his gift for sympathy. But anyone who in serious trouble was fortunate enough to have his compassionate support, knows how understanding and sensitive he was.
His pleasures were simple. He played an unambitious game of golf, and he loved the company of his brethren and fellow-priests. He delighted to offer entertainment, simple but exquisite, in which indeed the finest flavour came from his pleasure in giving.
About eighteen months ago, failing to remember his years, he over-strained his strength, and was never fully well again. He struggled on with his daily parochial visits and his three Masses on Sundays for as long as was physically possible. After that God did not keep him waiting long. He took him on the Feast of St Alphonsus with such a death as we all hope and pray for. May He now give eternal happiness to his soul.
ALPHONSUS RICHARDSON 2 August 1966
1882 3 Aug Born Warrington
1900-03 Educ Ampleforth
Became a school-teacher in Warrington & married
His wife died
1916 Habit at Belmont
1917 Simple Vows
1919 Minor Orders
1920 Solemn Vows Ampleforth
Subdiaconate
Diaconate
1921 Priest
2nd Priest in Ampleforth village
1923 Assistant at St Anne's Liverpool temporarily
Dowlais
1925 Assistant at St Peter's Liverpool
1930 Incumbent at Goosnargh where he spent the next 36 years
1961 Cathedral Prior of Chester
1966 2 Aug Died at Goosnargh
Buried at Goosnargh