THE vicar of Stanford-le-Hope has added to his tribute to the Catholic priest with who he shared to ministry of the town's community.

Thurrock Nub News reported yesterday on the death of much loved Father Paul Dynan and included a tribute from Rev John Guest.

Today Rev Guest has added to his tribute about his friend and recalls how he was a very unusual priest within the catholic clergy.

Rev Guest says: "Fr Paul was fairly unique in that he married his children and baptised his grandchildren.

"Now I've done that since I've been married 38 years. But Paul is a celibate Catholic priest! The story is that just before she died, Paul's wife encouraged him to follow his call to the vocation of ministry and Paul was selected, went to seminary and took the collar. He was a widower and had a lovely family.

"He was funny, vivacious, incredibly hard-working and dedicated, passionate for his community and deeply loved.

"St Joseph's primary school wrote a song about him which they sang at his farewell service to the tune of The Servant King. He was so pleased.

"We played together (guitar and accordion!) ribald folk songs at my one man show the beginning of last year. He is pictured with my 'altar-ego', Gof the Clown

advertisement

"We went out to lunch together on 28 October and I was at his final mass in Tilbury on the 31st to receive the blessed sacrament from his hand. We embraced and wept together.

"I knew I'd never see him on earth again.

"He was my friend."

An appreciation of Fr Paul also came from local councillor Martin Kerin who said:"When you encounter someone as warm, generous and kind-hearted as Fr Paul, you feel as though they will always be there. In Fr Paul's case, he was always there for his flock, sharing in the good times and the bad times of their lives."