Bishop Richard preached while “channelling his inner Denis,” by remaining seated in the cathedra.

There are a couple of connections surrounding Bishop Denis’ death, that speak directly on his role in our lives here in the Hamilton Diocese.

September 1, the date Bishop Denis died, was Father’s Day in New Zealand. A bishop is a father of a bunch of precocious children. Some he inherits, others he 'makes' himself. Case in Point: Fr Aidan Mulholland and myself were the first Hamilton priests to be ordained by him. Fr Joseph George, the Last. Of course being that precocious child often landed us in hot water… but that’s all best left unsaid.

Today the 6th of September is the 30th anniversary of the death of Bishop Eddie Gaines, the first bishop of Hamilton. Eddie was larger than life, Denis quieter but no less determined in his ways.

Bishop Denis was a master of timing. My personal memories as a parish priest rests in the Confirmation / Communion ceremonies. Five minutes to go, everything set, everyone accounted for including the readers, who were often late themselves. Everyone but the Bishop. Some panic ensues, I say "it's fine, no worries." Two minutes later in comes Bishop Denis, cool as a cucumber, vests up and into it without missing a beat.

That last minute timing of Denis was his gift to me.

My diary was all sewn up for the month. I had one day when I could have presided at his funeral and that was today. On Sunday (1st September) I left for Australia, to attend a Canon Law conference I helped organize, and had some activities to lead. Bishop Denis left his last decline and death until I was on the plane and away. This meant that I could go and do what I had to do, and come back in time to attend King Tuheitia’s Funeral with Bishop Moxon, and then be here for Bishop Denis. I fly out for Rome and the Baby Bishop’s conference tonight.

We have heard of the deep and abiding relationships that Bishop forged with many around him. We heard from Bishop Moxon, and I personally wish to record the deep friendship forged with Colleen and Kevin Graham. These memories speak to us of his abiding loyalty to friends and family.

The Gospel records Jesus saying

"I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep" John 10:14-15

One thing Bishop Denis was known for was his constant visitation around the Diocese. He would come both officially and unofficially and call in. When he would inspect the registers of the parish he often would talk about this family or that who appeared in the register. Give him one surname and he was off remembering the whole family. He found it important to get to know his people. And the people did get to know their bishop.

We all know that the Lord works among our people often in spite of us, sometimes because we just happen to be there, and sometimes building upon the gifts He gave to us in the first place.

This is a fascinating line from the mouth of Jesus.

"This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again." John 10:17

I believe that any bishop worth his salt has had to do this. Lay down his life, his preferences, his dreams and pick up a very specific cross as he follows the Lord to calvary. It is as much Because the Father loves me and I Him that I lay my life down, in order to take it up again.

Bishop Denis loved his early life in Gisborne, You could say he left his heart there when he was moved on by his bishop. Then he came to love his life in Tonga doing the mahi there, learning to be a priest in a different land. He then lay that life down to pick up the mantle of Leadership in Rarotonga. He loved his time there and often spoke of his time there with deep fondness. He lay that life down in order to become Auckland's Bishop, and finally had to set that aside to arrive down here and Minister to the people of God as the second Bishop of Hamilton.

Each time the picking up of a new or perhaps refurbished cross brought with it both suffering and grace. All this formed the man, the bishop, and we his presbyterate of the time have been formed by our own relationship to him. He put on a stable footing, the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese. Bringing the Grace of Holy Orders into situations where a priest would not ordinarily be.

Now Having Been Baptised into Christ, Ordained into His Ministry, Configured unto Christ the head what awaits Bishop Denis, in the life to come?

We pray Mercy for his shortcomings and sins. Rewards due his cooperation with Divine Grace and Joy in the life that comes from Him whom he deeply and sincerely Loved, Our Lord Jesus Christ, friend and Redeemer.

So then let us pray.

O GLORIOUS servant of God, St. Denis of Paris, with intense love you gave yourself to Christ and preached His saving name to the nations.

To bring knowledge and love of God to others you did not shrink from Martyrdom. implore for us a continual growth in the knowledge and love of Jesus, so that our restless hearts may experience that peace which He alone can give. Help us by your prayers to serve God with a willing heart, to devote ourselves with love to His service, and thereby to attain the eternal bliss of Heaven. Amen.

Eternal rest grant to him O Lord

Let perpetual Light Shine upon him.
May he rest in Peace. Amen.