Fr Noel's family, the Carmelites of Australia and Timor Leste and the Whitefriars College community bid farewell to Fr Vincent Noel Kierce in a number of gatherings following his sudden death on 9 May.
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Staff at Whitefriars College gathered for Mass in the College Chapel on Sunday 10 May. Mass was celebrated by Fr Wayne Stanhope, OCarm and attended by over 180 staff.
On Wednesday evening over 1,000 people gathered at the College to celebrate a Memorial Mass for Fr Noel. Present and past students, staff and families filled the gymnasium for the Mass celebrated by Fr Angelino Dos Santos, OCarm, together with Frs Denis Andrew (Prior provincial), Michael Galacher (former student), John Sherman OMI (Mazenod College) and Michael Sullivan OSA.
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Present College staff and students formed a Guard of Honour on Thursday morning as Fr Noel’s body was driven through the College grounds. In a moving tribute to Fr Noel students spontaneously applauded as the hearse reached the College gates.
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Over 800 people filled Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Middle Park, on Friday morning for Fr Noel’s funeral mass. Members of Fr Noel’s family, Carmelites, staff and students of Whitefriars College were part of the rites which recalled Fr Noel’s baptism, Carmelite life and ministry at the beginning of Mass.
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Fr Denis Andrew, OCarm, (Prior Provincial) was the principal celebrant of the Mass which was concelebrated by 18 priests. Bishop Mark Edwards, OMI, presided. Concelebrants included Frs Jim Kierce (Noel’s cousin), Michael Sullivan OSA, Michael Galacher, John Sherman OMI, Nicholas Pearce, Gerard Mariadas, Tony Guelen and Carmelites: Paul Cahill, Laurie Timms, Hugh Brown, Maurice Barry, James Des Lauriers, Frank Shortis, Paul Sireh, Matthew McPhee, Pat Harney and Angelino Dos Santos. Other Carmelites present were Brs Sean Keefe, Leo Richmond, Agostinho Exposto, Januario Pinto, Agedo Bento, Martinho da Cruz Lemos and Frs Michael Brundell and David Hofman.
Fr Noel was laid to rest in the Carmelite section of Williamstown Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
