Canon Lawrence Glancey

His Grace Archbishop Keith Patrick O'Brien,with many of the priests in the diocese, concelebrated the Funeral Mass in St. Mary Magdalene's Church on Saturday 9th November 2002, The parishioners of St Mary Magdalene's were pleased to have the service here where so many of the congregation have such fond memories of Canon Glancey.Several of Canon Glancey's family travelled thousands of miles to attend his funeral and were warmly welcomed in Edinburgh. The Archbishop paid tribute to a much loved and dedicated priest. Canon Glancey faced a great challenge when he was appointed Parish Priest to a parish with no church, no house and no name and we, who are now members of that parish, owe him a debt of gratitude for the beatiful church and the parish community which he established.

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connections between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not knowing it - if I do but keep His Commandments.

Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what he is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me - still He knows what He is about.

Introduction:
It is indeed a privilege to be preaching at this Funeral Mass today - praying with you for the happy repose of the soul of Canon Lawrence Alexander Glancey. Lawrence was one of the Father figures of our Archdiocese whose life affected very many people, particularly the people of this Parish of St Mary Magdalene's which he founded, but also those of so many other parishes in which he served throughout our Archdiocese.

Studies for Priesthood:

The basic facts of the life and studies of Canon Lawrence for the Priesthood are rather more complicated than usual and seemed to present something of a "restless character". However, a variety of historical events intervened in various places of study and of the countries to which Lawrence was sent.

Born on the 20th August 1917 in Broxburn, Lawrence was brought up in Fife - at St Andrews and then in Cowdenbeath. After his initial studies at Blairs College in Aberdeen, Lawrence was sent to Coutances in France - but he had hardly arrived there when he was sent home because of an outbreak of tuberculosis. His studies continued at Ushaw College in England and then at the Scots College in Rome until 1940 when the Second World War broke out. Along with other Scottish Priests he was then sent to All Hallows College in Dublin - but there the Irish discipline did not suit either Lawrence or the other Scottish students and the late Archbishop Andrew Joseph McDonald recalled his students and then sent Lawrence to St Edmond's College, Ware. Further studies followed in the Scots College Rome and then in the University of Oxford after Ordination where he graduated with an Honors Degree in Economics. All of that: six different seminaries and the Gregorian University in Rome and the University of Oxford in England took place before one parish appointment!

Priestly Appointments:
Following on his Ordination to the Priesthood on 26th July 1943 and his further studies, Lawrence's first appointment was to St Andrews, Ravelston, a period followed by Chaplaincy to the Good Shepherd Convent in Edinburgh. Further appointments as assistant priest followed to St Columba's, Edinburgh and then to St Peter's, Edinburgh. In 1961 Lawrence was appointed as Parish Priest of the new parish of St Mary Magdalene's, Edinburgh where he served for nine years until being appointed to St John Vianney's, Edinburgh where he served for a further period of nine years. He continued as Parish Priest in East Calder for five years, and the Immaculate Conception, Bathgate for four years before serving in Dunbar for three years until his retirement in 1991.

Again, one might say that there was further indication of that "restless character" with regard to Lawrence's parochial appointments. However, I personally see it as Lawrence almost burning himself out in his zeal in large parishes and then requesting an appointment to a smaller parish - not for a period of rest but to recharge his batteries. After such a period of rest he would become frustrated with an apparent lack of work and seek new and greater challenges.

Three Great Challenges:
One might ask just what were the greatest challenges facing Lawrence in his priestly life. I have liaised with two of his close priest friends in considering this namely Father Tom Rhatigan and Father Michael Fallon. They have given me considerable help and advice - but I myself would list three challenges which faced the late Canon Lawrence in his priestly life and ministry.

(1) The Challenge of the Second Vatican Council:

Having been ordained priest in 1943 it was some 20 years later that the teachings of the Second Vatican Council were been promulgated and various attempts to implement them made throughout this Archdiocese as in others throughout the World.

It was almost as if this was just what Lawrence was waiting for - particularly as he had been appointed a parish priest himself here in this parish of St Mary Magdalene in September 1961. So many things were coming together for him. From his own reading he was aware of the challenges facing the Church - and now the Church seemed prepared to respond to those challenges particularly with regard to lay involvement.

He was already involved in many apostolic ways outwith his parochial work. He inspired many throughout the Diocese with the Young Christian Workers organisation; he had been a Religious Inspector of Schools throughout the Archdiocese for some 20 years; he was involved in charismatic renewal; and he pioneered parish renewal long before it was formally adopted by our Archdiocese. In addition he had been appointed Director of Ongoing Formation of the Clergy and was so enabled to hand on something of his vision to his Brother Priests while obtaining the services of other leaders to share their vision of the Second Vatican Council with them.

With regard to his own practical implementation of the Second Vatican Council working with his people was for him an essential for a priest in a parish. The establishment of a parish council was seen by him as an essential - it was part of his vision for the Post Vatican 2 Church. He wrote a CTS pamphlet on the subject and appeared on television in a programme explaining the importance of parish councils and their workings. As a priest he loved his people - he really loved them - and had a wonderful memory for names and faces. Because of his own impatience he sometimes gave the impression of perhaps not always listening because he was constantly listening on the move - even on a visit. But bringing his people together and utilising the many, many talents of the lay faithful entrusted to his care was an essential for him.

A second insight which he had from the teaching of the Second Vatican Council was his own real sense of the liturgy as the work of the people of the parish along with himself and led by himself. One can see this reflected in the building of the Magdalene Church and the creation of so many of its artifacts, fixtures and fittings by local people. He had that great ability to delegate and call forth gifts from people and in this he inspired enthusiasm and loyalty.

(2) Challenge of Magdalene Parish:
It was shortly after his appointment as Parish Priest of Magdalene Parish that Lawrence wrote to all his people in a letter dated 6th October 1961. On reading that letter, what is remarkable is the fact that Lawrence rarely used the word “I” rather he always emphasised “we”. Listen to various phrases: “we are all missionaries in this great new venture and its success depends on all of us - priests and people alike” ; we have no church, no presbytery - nothing"; “our territory is one mile long…..we have secured the use of the Jewel Miners Welfare Hall for two Masses each Sunday”.

He continued to work with and for his people establishing his parish and then ensuring that a Church was built worthy of the people whom he was serving.

I am sure that he would be incredulous to know that if you type in the name "Lawrence Glancy" on the Worldwide Web you will find a great deal about him on the Magdalene Parish Website including a photograph of him in his famous duffle coat and black beret.

As always people were most important to him and within one year of him being appointed to Magdalene a notice indicated the following weekly church meetings: a Women's Guild; Scouts; Junior Girl's Club; Men's Club; Legion of Mary for Seniors; Legion of Mary for Juniors; and Cubs. Not bad work in building up a new parish!

Of course he was frustrated when the official opening of the church was delayed because of an influx of water - but in 1966 he was delighted to Celebrate the Ordination of one of his parishioners, the late Monsignor Tom Connelly formerly Press and Media Officer of our Church.

I commend to you to study of the Website on Magdalene Parish - which lists the outstanding artifacts which are in this church at this present time: from the altar to the altar furnishings; from the magnificent altar piece to the priest's chair; from the Stations of the Cross to the Madonna and Child; to items such as the font and the floor of the baptistery; and to the very beautiful Weekday Chapel. Everything was executed with loving care by skilled craftsmen most from the local area. Lawrence had indeed a great ability to delegate and call forth gifts from all his people as well as those not of his own particular flock.

I have mentioned in some detail Lawrence's apostolate in Magdalene Parish quite simply because it was the first parish to which he was appointed as parish priest and is a church and parish which bears the stamp of this remarkable man. Obviously Lawrence left his mark on those other parishes in which he served: St John Vianney's, St Theresa's, St Mary's and St Columba's and Our Lady of the Waves - I hope the parishioners of these parishes do excuse me from not going into detail with regard to Lawrence's apostolate in their midst but I am sure that what I have said about the Magdalene, the parish which he founded will find Ecorse in the minds of all parishioners who benefited from his apostolate throughout our Archdiocese.

(3) The Third Great Challenge - Retiral:

When Lawrence thought the time had come he tendered his resignation to me on 15th January 1991. Now he was a Canon of our Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter and had a wealth of experience. But legitimately he thought he needed some time for himself - to recharge that endless energy which he seemed to have and prepare for his final meeting with his Lord. In the early days of his retirement he was able to supply cover for priests who were sick or on holiday. He loved that because his pastoral contact was what made him tick. One can be sure that he continued his reading of John Henry Cardinal Newman of whom he was a tremendous admirer.

In his earlier years he had spent many holidays with the late Bishop Monaghan; and continued his friendship with Father Tom Rhatigan who remembers Lawrence from the very first Deanery Conference which he attended. Lawrence decided that he would help Tom settle into the Diocese through the gift of golf - and that friendship continued up to this present time.

He was indeed a man of prayer and celebrated daily Mass and attended Sunday Mass in St Andrews, Ravelston up to the time of his death. It was very humbling when celebrating Mass or other devotions in St Andrews to see Lawrence sitting very humbly at the back of the church taking his place with his fellow parishioners. And of course he was a well known figure locally on his regular local daily walks.

Conclusion:

Having attended so may different seminaries and then served in so many varied parishes it is surely noteworthy than Canon Lawrence died on the Feast of St Charles Borromeo the founder of the modern seminary movement. His death was also on the very day that the Bishops' of Scotland decided to retain a National Seminary within Scotland itself.

I used the words "restless character" of Lawrence. Perhaps now I could also quote those very beautiful words of St Augustine who wrote: "thou has made us for thyself, oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee".

I am sure that the restless heart of Lawrence is now at rest in the vision of God in Heaven. Having been given so many talents by the Good Lord; having shared his talents with so many others; and having called out the talents of others - Lawrence now has been called home by that same Lord.

May God indeed grant him eternal rest and comfort all who mourn. Having been inspired by something on his vision on earth may we too hand on something of that same vision to those entrusted to our care.