Asked just a few days before his death whether he was afraid of dying, Fr. Jonathan Bielawski gave a simple answer: “No. I’m going to see the Lord.”
Those words very much set the tone for his Funeral Mass at Plymouth Cathedral on Thursday 27 August. Beginning with a eulogy from Canon Mark O’Keeffe, the celebration brought together Fr. Jonathan’s family and friends, fellow priests, parishioners from across the Diocese and many of the people whose lives he had touched through his ministry.
Bishop Nicholas Hudson presided over the Mass and through his homily he reflected on the deep Christian hope with which Fr. Jonathan faced his illness.
After spending many months at Derriford Hospital, Fr. Jonathan was cared for during his final days at Nazareth House. Those who visited him there, the Bishop recalled, encountered “a man whose soul was waiting on the Lord”.
Bishop Nicholas spoke of Fr. Jonathan’s steadfast devotion to the Eucharist was, remarking that he continued to celebrate Mass until just three weeks before his death.
“For Jon to know that Masses would be offered for him will have meant everything to him, because the Mass, for John, was everything.”
Fr. Jonathan’s ministry reflected causes about which he cared deeply, including the protection of unborn children and the plight of Christians suffering persecution. He offered devoted support to the Neocatechumenal Way and provided innumerable acts of pastoral care to his flock.
Bishop Nicholas described Fr. Jonathan as “an ardent evangelist on both sides of death”. He invited the faithful present to imagine the many people who had gone before him being there to welcome him.
“It is wonderful to think of him being thanked eternally by people whom he himself comforted in bereavement; all those he accompanied through illness; accompanied through difficult chapters of their lives; all those whom he prepared for initiation into the Church; all those whose “yes” in marriage he witnessed; and all who sought from him simple priestly pastoral care.”
The Bishop encouraged those mourning him to make room for joy, and to take comfort in the fact that Fr. Jonathan has now been received into the presence of God, and that he will now be hearing these words: “Come now, good and faithful servant, and enter into your reward.”
The homily ended with the promise proclaimed in the Book of Daniel:
“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever.”
May Fr. Jonathan Bielawski rest in peace.
Over the coming days, the Diocese will share a series of video clips from the Bishop’s homily on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The clips will give those unable to attend, as well as those who wish to revisit the homily, an opportunity to hear more of the Bishop’s tribute to Fr. Jonathan.