Prior Fr David McGovern OP and brothers acknowledge the contribution of Fr Fabio-Alexis Sánchez OP who has served Holy Cross for the last number of months, and over the last three years.
Today, in his final homily in Holy Cross, Fr Fabio's reflection on the Word of God centred around the assurance that before we ourselves come to seek God, God is already seeking us, so that He may grant us the grace of His infinite generosity; a generosity not only boundless in nature, but also surprising, for His Providence is much greater than our plans.
Fr Fabio warmly gave testimony to God's surprising grace in his own life throughout his many stays in Tralee over the past three years. Fr Fabio recounted how he had come here to learn English, but God had given him friendship; he had sought a place to stay, but God gave him a home; he had hoped to meet good people, but God had given him a family.
Fr Fabio's presence in Holy Cross has been a gift to the community in many ways. His service, his support to the brothers and his friendship are gratefully acknowledged.
His impassioned preaching prompted a physical and tangible way of living our faith. He inspired a deep love of the Cross, encouraging us to physically bring ourselves to the Cross so that, there, we may receive all that Our Father desires for us. Teaching us to take the Cross in our hands, to kiss the hands of Jesus each day, to kiss His heart - this is how Fr Fabio typically opened his heart to teach us.
He modelled for all his deep love of Our Lady, but in particular for the young altar servers and children, always pausing with them at the statue to Our Lady of Fatima to gently pray. In these most tangible ways, the fruits of his preaching will prevail.
We offer our prayers for Fr Fabio, that God may continue to abundantly bless his vocation.