1918 26th August Bro. FRANCIS of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Fearon) It is said we CPs die in threes! Anyway, Bro. Francis was the third member of the Passionist Community to die at Harborne, Birmingham within 9 months! Peter Fearon, he was born a native of Kilbroney, Rostrevor, Co. Down, on 24th January 1878, and baptised the same day. He entered the Novitiate at Broadway, Worcs, just under 20 years later, and was professed 22nd January 1898. So, he spent 20 years as a Passionist , and half of these were spent at our Lady’s Retreat, Harborne, where he had cultivated the vegetable garden. The previous ten years were spent in our Retreats, at Glasgow, London, and Sutton, Lancs. In disposition he was quiet, kindly, and obliging. When one analyses those three adjectives, one realises what a fine man he was. His Solemn Requiem Mass was offered on Thursday, 29th August, and he was buried in our little cemetery alongside the Retreat in the same grave as Bro. Pius Wareing. who had died 9 years previously and whose funeral he himself had attended. Harborne is now an Augustinian Priory and Parish. Sources: Anglo-Hibernian Catalogue 1899 no. 28 (Brothers) Obituary Notice 1918.08.26 ‘THE CROSS’ 9(1918-19): 162 MS Notes & Coloured Photos: List of Graves, Harborne 1975.07.28 OBITUARY FROM THE CROSS:- Harborne – St. Mary’s. – Death of Br. Francis, C.P. – The saying that “the young may die – the old must ” has been verified as to its first part in the death of Brother Francis, who had not reached his 40th year. Brother Francis (whose secular name was Peter Fearon) was born at Rostrevor on the 24th Jan., 1879. At the age of 18 he went to our Novitiate – at Broadway, Worcestershire – where he duly made his religious profession on the 22nd Jan., 1898, taking the name of Francis of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. After his profession he was stationed for nearly a year at Harborne. Subsequently he spent several years in each of our Retreats at Sutton, Glasgow and London, finally returning to Harborne nine years ago, thus giving half of his religious life to St. Mary’s. The news of his death will come as a shock to many, for he was in his normal health until a couple of months ago. Then it was thought that he required some rest and change, which he took, but his health quickly became worse, and while away was under medical care for acute gastric trouble from which he was suffering. Eventually he returned home to St. Mary’s, but steadily lost ground. Brother Francis was down at the 9 30 Mass on Sunday, 25th Aug., and in the afternoon sat, as usual, for some time in the garden. Early on Monday morning Father Celestine, C.P., was hurriedly called to the sick room and administered Extreme Unction. Thus death came quietly as seemed fitting to end the quiet unobtrusive life now thus early spent. Brother Francis was indeed one of those gentle souls who make little stir or noise in the world, but whose kindly disposition endears them to those among whom they live. His familiar figure. will no more be seen about the Church of St. Mary’s where he was so long to be found Sunday after Sunday, but we are sure that his memory will five and that prayers will not he lacking for the eternal repose of his soul. His remains lie reposing in the little graveyard at St. Mary’s, where many of his brethren rest. Death of Brother Francis of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Mary’s Retreat, Harborne, Birmingham, 26th August, 1918 The community of St. Mary’s lost two of its members (Fr. Camillus and Fr, Martin) within the last 2 months and now a third is added to the list. Brother Francis (Fearon) was a native of Rostrevor, Ireland, where he was born on 24th January, 1879. Until a couple of months before his death he was apparently in his accustomed health, his time being chiefly occupied with the cultivation of vegetables in the large garden of the Retreat. In July he developed serious gastric trouble and complications following soon brought his useful but short career to an end. The deceased brother was professed at the old Novitiate, Broadway, Worcestershire, on 22nd January, 1899, and had thus spent about half his life in religion, and half the latter part was lived at Harborne. After profession he was sent to St. Mary’s and after one year there passes several at the Retreats at Glasgow, London and Lancashire. Nine years ago he returned to Harborne where he remained until his death. His disposition was quiet, kindly and obliging. He will be very much missed, not only by his brethren, but by the members of St. Mary’s congregation to whom his figure was so familiar at the various services of the church. The Solemn Requiem for the repose of Brother Francis’ soul was sung on Thursday 29th August b y Fr. Bruno, the Deacon being Fr. Thomas (Vicar) and Subdeacon, Fr. Bernardine. The choir was formed by the Rector and community, assisted by Fr. Hamill, Mr. C. Bunn and Mr. J. Conolly. The “Dead March” was played by the organist, Mr. C. Jones. The remains were laid with Br. Pius, at whose burial Br. Francis had assisted about nine years ago. The route to the grave was lined with the school-children of St. Mary’s, and a large congregation was present. R.I.P.