Albert Yelds MSC, Funeral Mass, Homily
Homily, Stephen Dives MSC
I came to know Albert Yelds during our time in the Pacific. In the early 1990s I was posted in Fiji. In 1994 I was appointed superior of the MSC Pacific union and moved to Kiribati where the MSC headquarters were, and there I worked with Albert as he was parish priest of a parish there.
By all measures Albert Yelds was an extraordinary man and an extraordinary Missionary of the Sacred Heart.
Early in his life Albert made known that he wanted to be a priest. His mother told him to write to the editor of Annals of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart magazine. He did this and was eventually accepted to begin his training as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart.
Albert’s health was often frail, even in the novitiate he developed health issues that caused questions about whether he could continue on to priesthood. Typical of Albert, he never allowed setbacks to prevent him doing what he was determined to do.
During his training Albert came to know and appreciate Father Jules Chevalier, the founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
He became aware of some of the teachings of Father Chevalier which captivated his heart and became an important part of his own spirituality and mission. For example Father Chevalier said “if only people knew in their hearts how much God loves them unconditionally then their lives could change.” He also adopted the motto that Father Chevalier gave to his congregation: May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved, forever.
Two key elements of his life and ministry were Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the embodiment and presence of God’s love for us, and devotion to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart who is the one closest to the Heart of Jesus, pointing us to Him and telling us as she did at Cana: listen to Him and do whatever he tells you.
In his earlier ministry Albert served in several of our Colleges in Australia. At the beginning of every break or holidays as soon as the final duty was over he was in his car and going off all over Australia visiting families consecrated to the Sacred Heart. Marie, his sister, told us that he had over 3,000 on the books then and still over 1,000 when he came back to Australia from the missions. Marie herself was a great support to Albert in this ministry and when he was in the missions in India and Kiribati.
In his missionary work Albert was tireless. He had a great love for the Eucharist and wanted to make sure that as many as possible had the opportunity to receive the Sacrament. It would not be unusual for Albert to do 12 or more Masses on Sundays. Going from village to village, sometimes by car or motorbike or bicycle or walking or across the lagoon by canoe. He baptised more than 500 new Christians every year and countless weddings and funerals. His pastoral zeal was unending. People could come to his house at all times of the day or night for some wise counsel, or if someone was sick or dying, he would be off in a flash no matter how tired or preoccupied he was. Kiribati can be very hot; it is right in the Equator. One hot night Albert woke up and got up to put the fan on. When he stood up he collapsed on the floor. He must have been unconscious because he woke up and thought “I had better get back to the bed, people will find it funny to find me sleeping on the floor. And so he dragged himself back to bed. Then shortly after it was 7am and Albert was in the Church for the 7am Mass.
Albert was a humble, kind and generous man. He loved his people and they loved him.
In the first reading the beloved disciple John writes: “see what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God…..we must love others not just in word and speech but in truth and action.” Albert in a real sense lived that in his life and ministry.
In a true sense Albert wore himself out. He suffered in these past months, but always had a smile and kind word of gratitude to all who visited him.
He received all the sacramental help of the church in his last days and was well prepared for the journey he is now making.
In the Gospel we meet Lazarus, whom Jesus loved so much and wept for.
When they took Jesus to where Lazarus was buried his words were: Unbind him, let him go free.
Jesus loved his friend Albert and when he saw him ‘bound up by age and infirmity he said also: Unbind him, let him go free, let him come to me.
Well done Albert. It is time now for you to rest from your labours and enjoy the living presence of Jesus whom you served so generously and faithfully. God bless you and let his light shine upon you. Rest in peace our brother and friend.
Appreciation to Steve Dives for his text and to John Walker for the photos (and his new wide angle lens for photos of the whole sanctuary)
