Father Bob O’Neil was unable to attend the Memorial Mass.
This homily was read aloud at the service by Ann-Marie’s son, Scott Norman.
Jesus told his friends that they could not imagine what wonders are awaiting us after death.
In her final years Ann-Marie may have returned in her thoughts to growing up with her family in the Belmont section of beautiful Trinidad. That allowed her to imagine in her own way what heaven must be like.
I knew something about her birthplace before coming to St Mary’s. A friend and teacher introduced us to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Hollis Lynch left as a young man to study, completing his work in London and finally as a Professor in New York.
And, anyone who wants to learn about Trinidad and Tobago can read one of the books of VS Naipaul. He too left the Caribbean going to the UK, winning a Nobel Prize for literature along the way.
And then there is Eric Williams, The Father of the country. He won a scholarship to study history and politics at Oxford. He wrote about his life in a book titled Inward Hunger. He also became the first Prime Minister at Independence from Great Britain.
Three sons of Trinidad and Tobago.
And then, there is our beloved Ann-Marie. She too left to study in the UK, and later on to the US. To appreciate her journey and accomplishments, read the tribute put together by her children. You will be impressed because Ann-Marie did not promote herself.
I met her at St Mary’s 26 years ago. That same week, we met again running along the East River Park. Soon after that, I encountered her in one of the numerous meetings St Mary’s was known for—probably with her comrade, Agnes Rosado. I remembered them both that day because there was a complaint that Fr. Bob was “practicing too much Spanish” at the daily Mass. I wondered what sort of a place I had gotten myself into.
Over the years, I got to appreciate Ann-Marie for her humour, energy and dedication to the many activities of St Mary’s, including Fr Neil’s parish council retreats in places like a center near the Atlantic City casinos, and the Sister’s place in Nyack, along with the many liturgies we prepared. She was also one of the supporters of Sr Maryellen Ryan and her work on behalf of families and children and catechists. Ann-Marie and her husband Vincent were part of the family of St Mary’s. It was a special privilege for me to sit in the sanctuary at Trinity Church at the funeral of Vincent.
Everyone in the Church today will have a special memory of Ann-Marie Norman. And, after all is said about her, she was most surely a disciple of Jesus.
Yesterday was the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The image is a mystery to some and strange to others. But for most of us it is a reminder that the love of God is reaching out, not just to a few, but to all of creation.
It is a love and power that embraces the beauty of Trinidad and the happiness of music, children, humor and laughter, and celebrations, and of all the good things of life that Ann-Marie enjoyed so much and shared so often with others.
We trust that the Gospel is true, and Jesus is truly risen, and that we will all meet again with Ann Marie and Vincent, in a place beyond our dreams.
~ Fr. Bob O’Neil