Enjoy!
This is not the version that I saw many years ago, it must have been the 20th Anniversary. I have just watched it and it brought back many memories.
A life time ago I was involved with a youth group called 'The Young Christian Workers' (YCW) when I lived in Manchester. The man who brought the movement to England was Fr Gerry Rimmer. He had been almost forgotten by the English movement when I first became a member.
Paul Fitzpatrick (no religion but a hell of a man) and I brought Fr Rimmer back into the fold.
I had the honour to take him to see Les Miserables as it was one of his favorite stage shows. He saw something in it that was so spiritual that it reflected life as he saw it as a priest of many years. Richard Connelly (jnr) and I escorted him that night.
Gerry Rimmer at 80 or 90 was the chaplain to the African, Caribbean community in Moss-side in Manchester. A tough posting, but one he reveled in.
The founder of the movement, Cardinal Joseph Cardine believed that 'every young worker is worth more than all the gold in the world'. Gerry Rimmer put this in to practice.
He was a great man, and I have shed tears tonight watching the above video remembering him and the time we spent together.
Sadly he was killed crossing a road on his way to minister in Moss Side. A grief I still hold today. However I believe that myself and Paul Fitzpatrick gave him experiences before he died that completed his circle.
There was an exchange with the Italian YCW to Manchester, and we got Gerry Rimmer to give them 'gift bags' for their visit. The Italians were in awe of this man! England had forgotten him, but Italy almost sanctified him! I cry as I write, I miss him terribly, but I think Fitzy and I gave him back his place within a movement that was dear to his heart, and brought him back to 'the fold'. He was killed shortly afterwards, but I take solace in the fact that I believe that we put him back into the heart of an International Movement that he was a prime player within.
I miss you Gerry, even to today. A man of utter integrity, who believed in the ability of the young to solve the problems of the world.
We talk of 'saints' or 'heroes', Gerry is my saint and my hero. At 80+ years of age he passed too young, but posting this video, his favorite stage play, I pay him tribute, and bring his name to a new following.
Rest well my friend, I know you are in the most highest of places, and are with your God. I miss you still.
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