Mourners at the funeral of Chrissy Burns, who was “cruelly” taken from his family last Thursday, heard how he was a man “loyal to the core with the kindest of hearts”.
Celebrating Requiem Mass, Monsignor Hugh Connolly told mourners that Chrissy’s life had been “ended in a violent way that no family should ever have to endure”.
The 40-year-old suffered fatal wounds following an incident in the Cusher Green area of Mountnorris last Thursday. Aaron McAnulty (39) appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning charged with his murder.
Addressing the congregation at St Peter’s Church in Warrenpoint on Wednesday morning, Monsignor Connolly said: “Nothing that I will say to you today will erase or soften the pain that you feel, or undo the harsh reality that has left you shaken and bereft.”
The celebrant described Chrissy as “much more than what happened to him last week”.
“He was a man, still relatively young, just 40 years… a brother whom you were proud of. Each of you will carry your own memories of his moments of laughter, moments of struggle, moments that bound you together as a family – and these can’t be severed by tragedy or by death.
“Chrissy really had time for everybody… he was loyal to the core with the kindest of hearts indeed. He wanted to help and to do whatever he could just to make others happy. Part of that was wearing a smile that could light up the room.
“He also had a very mischievous grin, a spark in the eye – once he walked into the room, everybody knew it, because he was a character in the real essence.”
Monsignor Connolly also referenced a conversation in the family home a few days ago, when his sister Grainne said: “How the washing machine acted up a day or two ago and then the lights went out this morning; you said he’s having the last practical joke on his family before they leave the house.”
The priest told the family they should take comfort in the fact that Chrissy is now reunited with his late mother Margaret, father Francie, and brother Damian (‘Dees’).
“Although your family’s ache today is heavy, you do take comfort in imagining that they are together, watching over you. You will always carry Chrissy in your hearts, and you’ll always remember his stories and his laughter and the fun that he shared with you.”
He urged mourners not to let the manner of Chrissy’s death define him.
“It would only be natural for you to feel today anger, confusion, even despair, and indeed in the days to come,” he said.
“And these are all very human emotions, but in there, find some space also for hope, because our hope is never a naïve hope. It’s the hope, the conviction… that death doesn’t have the final word.”
Concluding his homily, Monsignor Connolly said: “We pray for his happy repose, for forgiveness of any faults and failings, we commit ourselves to honouring his memory, and we choose love over hatred and peace over violence and compassion over indifference.”
Chrissy was laid to rest in St Malachy’s Cemetery, Carrickcruppen.
