ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE RELEASE
Friday 26 April 2013
REVEREND Richard (Dick) John Rafter, OAM was ordained a priest at St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne, on 24 July 1938.
Father Rafter served the Church for 74 years giving powerful witness by his prayerfulness, pastoral care and dedication to his people. He was a kind mentor and friend to many, especially to his brother priests.
He was appointed Assistant Priest at the parishes of St Patrick's Cathedral (1939), North Fitzroy (1939), returning to St Patrick's Cathedral (1942) and then to Geelong (1944) before being Administrator-Parish Priest at East Geelong from 1950. In 1991 he retired to St Mary's, Geelong. He continued to be active in his priestly ministry, offering support to the parish of St Mary, pastoral care in the hospitals of Geelong and was known as a kind confessor.
Fr Rafter was honoured with the Medal of Australia in 2006 in recognition for his service to the Church at large and especially to the people of Geelong. He was appointed Pastor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1991.
He passed away at Anam Cara on 20 April 2013. He was aged 98 years. May he rest in peace.
The funeral arrangements for Father Dick Rafter are as follows:
A Vigil Mass will be held at St Margaret's Parish, 46 Lomond Terrace, East Geelong on Friday 26 April 2013 at 7pm.
Requiem Mass will be held at St Mary's Basilica, 150 Yarra Street, Geelong on Saturday 27 April 2013 at 9:30am followed by burial at the Eastern Cemetery, Priests' Section, Geelong.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
Friday 26 April 2013REVEREND Richard (Dick) John Rafter, OAM was ordained a priest at St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne, on 24 July 1938.
Father Rafter served the Church for 74 years giving powerful witness by his prayerfulness, pastoral care and dedication to his people. He was a kind mentor and friend to many, especially to his brother priests.
He was appointed Assistant Priest at the parishes of St Patrick's Cathedral (1939), North Fitzroy (1939), returning to St Patrick's Cathedral (1942) and then to Geelong (1944) before being Administrator-Parish Priest at East Geelong from 1950. In 1991 he retired to St Mary's, Geelong. He continued to be active in his priestly ministry, offering support to the parish of St Mary, pastoral care in the hospitals of Geelong and was known as a kind confessor.
Fr Rafter was honoured with the Medal of Australia in 2006 in recognition for his service to the Church at large and especially to the people of Geelong. He was appointed Pastor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1991.
He passed away at Anam Cara on 20 April 2013. He was aged 98 years. May he rest in peace.
The funeral arrangements for Father Dick Rafter are as follows:
A Vigil Mass will be held at St Margaret's Parish, 46 Lomond Terrace, East Geelong on Friday 26 April 2013 at 7pm.
Requiem Mass will be held at St Mary's Basilica, 150 Yarra Street, Geelong on Saturday 27 April 2013 at 9:30am followed by burial at the Eastern Cemetery, Priests' Section, Geelong.
Comments