GRAND COUNCILLOR FRED PALMER R.I.P.
If the Rectory telephone rang rather late at night it was generally one of two things - an emergency of some kind to be dealt with, or (and probably the similar experience of many) it was Fred on Guild business - and they are the phone calls I'm now rather missing.
I'm very grateful to Fr. Colin and to Fred's beloved family for this opportunity to say a few words about Brother Fred Palmer, Grand Councillor of the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary, and Secretary and Treasurer of our local Chapter of St. Michael the Archangel, of which I am the Chaplain.
Perhaps, like Fred's title, that all sounds rather 'grand' .. but those who knew Fred with much affection would simply never associate such a word with him.
Fred was the most unassuming, sincere and devout servant of our Lord and of his holy Church. His faith was firmly rooted within, and was fed by, the Catholic tradition within the Church of England (the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary being one of the great Catholic Societies of our Church - a society Fred served with distinction and a gentle enthusiasm that has nurtured and encouraged so many Altar Servers over so many years). Moving down from South London as a young man myself some 38 years ago, it was largely down to Fred that within 2 weeks I was serving here at St. Mary, Ashford, and so I hope that today I may represent that long line of Altar Servers whose faith mattered so much to Fred.
As I think of Fred, I think too of his wealth of stories .. If Fred had the habit of sounding rather somber when reading a Lesson in Church, this by no means was a reflection of the Fred who could laugh until he cried and would have everyone else in the same state - just as he did when, so many years ago, he told of serving at the Altar for a priest with an unfortunate 'lisp' desperately trying to tell Fred that the list of names to be read of the departed (it was an All Souls Requiem Mass and hardly an occasion of mirth) had fallen down the back of the Altar .. the giggling spread to 2 elderly ladies at the front who lifting their heads from prayer were confronted with Fred's rear (being the only visible part of Fred) sticking out from beneath the Altar - I can still hear Fred's laughter in relating that story.
Brother Fred began serving 74 years ago in 1935 - he was our Group Councillor for many, many years. In 1998 at my Church in Temple Ewell we had a special celebration Mass and Presentation to Fred to mark 50 years of service as Chapter Secretary and Treasurer. Last year at our Group Festival at Carlton Church in Dover, we celebrated again .. 60 years .. and we shall never forget the lovely humility with which Fred received a special framed certificate so deservedly awarded and presented (together with a bottle of bubbly) by Bishop Michael Turnbull.
I understand Fred is wearing the medal and special ribbon of a Grand Councillor - the emeritus title awarded him by the General Council of the Guild. Fred was in the William Harray Hospital when I took the medal and ribbon to him - he was rather frail, but so thrilled and then my last honour, on this last occasion that I saw Fred, was to give him my blessing.
Kath, Stephen and David and all your families, you are surely in the prayers of many Guild members here last night at the Requiem Mass and here again today.
Dear Brother Fred, 'Thank you' and probably like so many others the words of Our Lord that instantly come to mind are 'Well done, good and faithful servant'.
May our Blessed Lord receive you and the prayers of Mary, His Holy Mother, St. Michael the Archangel and all the saints speed you to your heavenly reward. Amen.
A tribute to Fred Palmer at his funeral on June 1st 2009 by Fr. Paul Christian, Chaplain of the Chapter of St. Michael the Archangel, East Kent