By Fr Donal O’Dea

The parish of San Roque, San Felipe, Zambales, in the Diocese of Iba, sponsored a memorial Mass, dinner and program for the late Fr John Curry on 16 January. This was a gift of the pastor, Fr Jaime F. Escurzon, the parish pastoral council, the principal, faculty and students of St Columban's Montessori School, the alumni association and other friends.

Bishop Florentino G. Lavarias of Iba was the main celebrant, with eight Columbans and five diocesan priests concelebrating. Other diocesan priests joined later in the program.

Fr Donal ODea in his homily told how Father John, only 24 and newly arrived in the Philippines, became pastor of this predominantly Aglipayan Parish in January 1952, replacing Fr Dermot Woods, his classmate, who left due to ill health after two months. Father John had no language study or orientation. Though he left the parish in 1959 and the Philippines in 1988 because of his health, he is still remembered as a dynamic, zealous and inspiring pastor, who revitalized the parish, especially through the development of the youth.

He opened St Columbans High School in 1955, against much opposition from an existing high school. A court case against him led to a landmark decision in education – parents have the right to the school of their choice for their children. All this was done with very limited funds.

Father John never forgot the people who helped him, and inquired about them to the end of his life and was generous. He left his heart in San Felipe, bit it was large enough to enable him to continue with the same zeal wherever he worked later.

Dinner was served at the covered court of the school, while the program of tributes took place on the stage. It opened with an interpretive dance prayer and song from the school, followed by inspiring tributes from former principals and parishioners led by Mayor Edilberto Abille, who recalled his wedding officiated by Fr Curry. Sr Yolanda Causing, a Holy Spirit Sister and one of the original teachers in the school, told how his life had inspired her vocation.

The Bishop, who had never met Father John, remarked that he had the gift of communicating to others that they were important and of value, and this inspired them to respond.

Fr Jaime F. Escurzon told how Father John had encouraged him to become a diocesan priest. The first priority of the Columbans, the missionary said, was a local clergy.

On behalf of the Columbans, Fr Patrick O’Donoghue, Regional Superior, thanked all and hoped many would be inspired to follow Father John.

Fr John Griffin, a contemporary of Fr Curry, and a former pastor of San Felipe, received an email in New Zealand from the alumni in California telling him of the Mass. He then emailed Fr Donal O’Dea to tell him, and to ask him to represent Fr Mal Sherrard, another old Zambales hand from New Zealand, and himself at the Mass. The alumni in California are also having a memorial Mass in San Diego, as is his native parish of Knock, Ireland. Fr Silverio Deltour CICM, a friend who had worked in the Diocese of Iba, sent his condolences. His health prevented him from attending

In 1952, Zambales was part of two dioceses, with 14 parishes and two high schools, all staffed by Columbans. Today there are 23parishes, three colleges, 17 high schools and nine elementary schools, all but one staffed by priests of the Diocese of Iba.

The Columbans continued the story-telling later that evening in Immaculate Conception Parish, Barretto, Olongapo City, the only remaining Columban parish in the diocese.

May Father John Curry’s restless and impulsive heart be at peace.