Fr Jerome Moody (inset), US Redemptorist Missionary died at Brighman & Young Hospital in Boston , Massachusetts from heart-related diseases on January 22.

Originally from the US Virgin Islands, he served in Dominica for the past 22 years. Close friend and fellow Redemporist priest, Fr Rodney Olive, CSsR described Fr Moody as “caring and loving.”

“He had a passion for life and lived life… as if there were no tomorrow. He had a passion and commitment for preaching the good news to let it touch the people's lives. He always had time for people,” Fr Rodney said.

He also described the late priest as a “people person”, adding “if he had a personal agenda it was always to be about people.

“He is now in the loving arms of Our Lord, who he faithfully served. We celebrate his passing into eternal life, as we mourn his death,” Fr Rodney said.

Upon hearing news of his death, Cheryl Rolle of Sagicor Insurance who had developed a close bond with Fr Moody over the past 20 years admitted that she and several others broke down in tears. She lamented his death, saying it was “devastating.”

According to Mrs Rolle, in matters relating to family life his role was unprecedented and he had a lot of influence on many young people. “Everybody could relate to him. He performed his duties and never complained. He was just a brilliant person,” she observed.

Describing the active role that Fr Moody played in her own life, Mrs Rolle noted that he preached at her wedding, baptised four of her children and officiated at her mother's funeral.

She said Fr Moody would be dearly missed since he was easily accessible to married couples. “I do not know who people will be going to now. Any time you had a problem you would just drive to Morne Bruce to see Fr Moody. He will be irreplaceable,” she said.

She added that Fr Moody always made time for people who were busy with their professional lives and had no one else to turn to for advice. “He was always there for us,” she reiterated. “Some (friends) also told me he renewed their faith.”

Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists of Baltimore, Fr Patrick Woods, CSsR indicated that the late Fr Jerome Moody had made “specific requests for his death and these were clearly expressed in writing to the Provincial office and his family.

Quoting from Fr Moody's letter, Fr Woods stated that Fr Moody requested “his body to be cremated and the ashes interred in the Redemptorist vault in the Western Cemetery in St Thomas USVI. He asks that this be done with a simple, private ceremony.

That there should be no public or private funeral Mass offered after his death before the disposal of his ashes. That a memorial Mass be offered 30 days after his death for the repose of his soul, in the house where he was assigned at the time of his death.”

Family members of the late priest have agreed to honour his wishes. Fr Woods also added that in the light of the popularity of the late priest, he understood that “many people have the need to mourn him, remember him and celebrate in faith, his life.” But reaffirmed that the best way to do so was to respect his wishes as far as possible.

The late Fr Jerome Moody served in many parishes in Dominica , including Our Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral, Roseau and St Patrick's Church, Grand Bay.

He also served as the Director of the Holy Redeemer Retreat House and became the Redemptorist Missionaries' first Regional Superior of the English-speaking Caribbean.

He was also the Director of the former Voice of the Islands (VOI) radio station and developed the Family Life Centre, which continues to serve the people of Dominica .

He will be especially missed for his gifts of counselling and preaching through which, it was said, he touched and nurtured many.

(edited from The Chronicle )