If anyone can have a "lowest common denominator" of qualities of character then gentleness was Bernard's. Gentleness of temperament need never imply lack of character or absence of moral strength.
He was a priest of talents, which were never left in the damp earth; his were in the market of development and for use, and for other people. Re was an independent thinker.. and he was a kind of "Nathaniel", you'd say, in whom there was never any guile. Alongside his theological abilities acquired from studies at Ushaw, there were muaical gifts, a good singing voice, a decided and practical interest in choral music and its use in the church... this had already appeared during his Ushaw days, continuing in later life. He had quite a developed piano technique, and this was used readily and usually for other peopIe, either for simple entertainment or at a deeper, serious level. Yes, he was an impromptu entertainer in student days, and later in his various parishes. There was also a dramatic spark linked to his music, and as ever used for others' benefits.
He was ordained at Ushaw on 25th July, 1943 by Bishop Joseph McCormack... went as curate to St. Edmund's, Whitley Bay... ten years later to crook for three years ... and then to St. Joseph's, Blaydon.
Blaydon was special . . . he moved there in 1956, when Bishop James Cunningham was made Auxiliary Bishop of our Diocese in 1957... and eventually came to join Bernard as Parish Priest. He was with Bernard for eight months...they did enjoy each other's company, neither much embarrassed by the other.
Liturgical changes were in the field even before Vatican II, and Bernard began to chafe a little. He was concerned as to the effects upon ordinary, good folk in the benches, faithful to Mass & Benediction on Sundays and Holydays. Re was bothered lest they should be distressed, and maybe drift away. Bishop Cunningham understood Bernard and had quite an affection for him. Both loved argument... there were sparring matches in areas that his favourite G & S might have called "Matters Parochial and Liturgical". Bishop Cunningham respected Fr. Dillon's honesty. Maybe we would have inclined to say, "Yes, My Lord... "while mentally and silently disagreeing. Not so Bernard! He was usually, "Now just a minute, My Lord... with respect... (and Sometimes without!) Arguments would surface, Bishop or no Bishop, from well thought convictions deeply felt. I once asked him, "How do you find him?" ..."Oh! he's canny...but he knows too much canon Law... but still... he's canny".
And that same "canny" Bishop gave him his first parish, and that at Bellingham, Northumberland. Re was delighted. He felt he had suddenly become a modern Cuthbcrt! He travelled miles and miles, especially on Sundays across Cuthbert's Patch... quickly becoming a friend of Kielder Farmers and their families... well liked in those moorlands, a good shepherd of his scattered people, unfazed by the presence of the local and Catholic Field Marshal and other Landed Lairds of varying religions... and of none. His strong and wiry Constitution was a match for that large parish... he loved to tell you that it was larger geographically than the Diocese of Salford!
He was fifteen years in the Border country, and latterly he was beginning to feel the remoteness and distance from his family and his fellow priests on the banks ofTyne, Wear and Tees. So, January, 1978, brought him his 'Haec Dies Quam Fecit Dominus" (This is the day that the Lord had made... he'd have certainly wanted that translated!)... Bishop Lindsay, now the Bishop of the Diocese, offered him the Parish of the "Annunciation" in Gateshead. So... "Weleome, dear Bernard, back from the North!"... back in our midst, nearer family and friends... former friendships flowered again.
In all his different parishes and churches, he had followed the new directives of Vatican II, many of which he did not like... "All right! All right! have English in everything. it's been ordered... let's get on with it!" He was bothered, and he could be grumpy. His obedience in this matter was truly meritorious... and who could not but admire his refreshing honesty?
He suffered in latter years from a deal of muscular trouble in his legs... yet he struggled on, his strength of purpose still showing through~, but in July 1991 he retired to his home and family parish of Holy Rosary, Billingham... there a warmth of welcome from the parish priest, Fr. Michael Keoghan who became his last and important priest-friend.
Several men and women of that parish became guardian angels, chauffeurs, altar servers and generally pesonal assistants so that he was able to keep up his daily Mass, usually in the church or in his little home. Fr. Butters then came as parish priest, and continued showing the same warmth and care inherited from Fr. Keoghan, who had moved to Brooms by that time.
Wednesday, 28th September, 1994 saw a truly large gathering of parishioners and friends who graced his Requiem with a beauty of choral music which was a jewelled Setting for this the end of his life, lived for others and for God... they were joined by many of us priests to concelebrate that Mass with Bishop Owen and Bishop Ambrose... and we took his body for burial in Billingham Cemetery.
Like St. Bernard, his patron, he wanted to reach and bring the Truth of God to people. interesting that St. Bernard's heraldic emblem is a Beehive. May our own Bernard be buzzing around in heaven.
"The sun rises... and man goes out to work... to labour till evening falls."
May he rest in peace.
Amen.
Canon L. Hollis