It is with sadness that the Diocese of Leeds announces that Fr Barrie Holmes, aged 88 years, died peacefully on Friday 19 November, at St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds. Only a couple of hours before his death, Fr Barrie had been visited by two priest friends from our diocese and received the Sacrament of the Sick. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for all those who now mourn for him.
The arrangements for the funeral of Fr Holmes are as follows:
Monday 6 December 2021
- 4:30pm: Reception into St Joseph’s Church, 20 Westgate, Wetherby, LS22 6LL
- After the reception, the Church will remain open for private prayer until evening Mass.
- 7:00pm: Holy Mass
Tuesday 7 December 2021
- 11:30am: Funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop Marcus
- Private cremation will follow.
Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Rev Fr Barrie Holmes
Fr Holmes was born in Elland, West Yorkshire on 7 October 1933 and in his late twenties he entered the Beda College in Rome to study for the priesthood. He was ordained in Rome, at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls on 26 March 1966.
After returning to the Diocese his first appointment was to the parish of St Patrick’s, Sheffield (now in the Diocese of Hallam). In 1968-69 he pursued further studies in London and this was followed by his appointment to St William’s, Bradford. In 1974 he began another period of study which he completed two years later, when he returned to Bradford as Assistant Priest at St Matthew’s, Allerton.
In 1978 Fr Holmes moved to the parish of the Sacred Heart and St Patrick at Sowerby Bridge where he remained until 1983 when he was appointed to St Theresa’s, Queensbury. In 1987 he became a Parish Priest on his appointment to St John Fisher & St Thomas More at Burley-in-Wharfedale. Fr Holmes became Parish Priest of St Robert’s, Harrogate in 1993 and it was from here that he retired in 1999.
In retirement Fr Holmes lived at Bardsey, near Wetherby. Until his final illness he was always a great support to the Parish Priests at St Joseph’s, Wetherby and a much-loved member of the parish community. His priestly ministry remained a very active one even in retirement. For this, and for more than half a century of service to the Bishops and People of the Diocese of Leeds we give thanks to God and pray for the repose of Fr Barrie’s soul.
May He Rest in Peace
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