People from near and far came together last week to celebrate the life of one of the Diocese’s longest serving priests, Fr Carl Ashton.
The funeral was held at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, St Mary’s on Tuesday 25 July at 11am. Over 500 people packed the church with many standing during the Requiem Mass. Fr Peter Williams AM, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia celebrated the Mass and was joined by over 35 priests, seminarians and deacons including Emeritus Bishop David Walker, the former Bishop of Broken Bay and Vicar General for the Diocese of Parramatta, Fr Chris de Souza.
The homilist was Fr John Flader who reflected on the faithful servant Fr Ashton was to the many parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish, South Mount Druitt for over 42 years.
“If we were to describe [Fr Ashton] in one word, it would be ‘faithful’.”
“He loved God, the Church, and the priesthood deeply. He said Mass with great reverence, and he preached the faith untiringly in his homilies.
“He did not present the faith as the easy way, but rather as the narrow road that leads to life. The road that one must follow with the help of God’s grace. He kept the faith himself and he wanted all his parishioners to know it and keep it.”
Fr Flader gave an overview of Fr Ashton’s work on bringing the faith to many community groups including sacramental programs for young people and adults, welcoming people into Catholicism, to working with youth groups, sporting teams and charity groups, encouraging vocations to the priesthood, and helping raise funds and awareness for retired priests.
During the Mass, Father Ashton’s favourite hymns such as “The Lord is my Shepherd”, “Be with me, Lord” and “Woman of the Sacred Heart” filled the church. The choir, comprised of both young and older members sang with heartfelt emotion, paying tribute to their beloved priest.
Mark Buhagiar, the Head of Clergy Health and Wellbeing at the Diocese of Parramatta shared a touching eulogy, recounting his experiences caring for Father Ashton in his later years. He spoke of the profound impact Father Ashton had on his life and the lessons of faith and service he had learned from him.
Pallbearer Bernard Toutounji wrote a testimony to Fr Ashton’s legacy. “Fr Ashton baptised me, gave me my first holy communion and prepared me for confirmation, but more than that, he imparted to me a love for the Catholic faith and a desire to put it first in my life. Fr Ashton was – and I believe will be – the most influential priest in my life.”
“Fr Ashton has been criticised by some as being ridged or conservative, but I think it was fairer to say that he was tough. He was tough because he knew that the call of Christ was a high call, he knew that the road to eternity – as the Lord Himself said – was a narrow road,” said Bernard.
As the Mass drew to a close, the congregation rose to sing “Here I Am, Lord.” A fitting end to the priest who loved the Lord with all his heart.
Read more about Fr Ashton’s life here: Vale Fr Carl Ashton – Catholic Outlook
You can watch the Requiem Mass here: Requiem Mass for Reverend Carl Ashton – Tuesday 25 July 2023 at 11am – YouTube
A special tribute board has been created here: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/ESG6D0cm
