Order of the Ascension

The Rev'd Jeremy Bond, OA, July 9, 1938 - April 8, 2022

Brother Jeremy first took the Promise in 1993. The second taking and life profession was in 1996. This was at St. Margaret's House in Philadelphia; a convent of the Society of St. Margaret.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Brothers and Sisters,

Jeremy died this morning at 1 am. I don't have any other details but will pass them on when I have them. 

 

This is from Emmett Jerrett's sermon on January 30, 1988, at the first taking of the Promise:

 

Let us be clear that the God who created the universe and brought human life to flower on this planet can raise men and women from the dead and take them into intimate relationship with the Divine Being in whatever way God chooses. 'It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!'

 

May Jeremy and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

--

 

Michelle Heyne, OA

Presiding Sister

There is a bit about Brother Jeremy's life on the Members page.

Brother Lowell - In my early years with the Order, I was struck by Jeremy's comments about his ministry with his parish, St. Matthew's in Central Pennsylvania. I was struck by his fondness for them and by how stable and grounded the church and Jeremy seemed. He spoke of something that seemed deeply satisfying. Later, I was called to a church that seemed to need to rediscover its grounding after a series of issues and conflicts. It needed a long pastorate of stability. Jeremy modeled that. I knew it could happen. I took that call and stayed over 20 years and experienced some of the fruits of what I saw in Jeremy. Jeremy was utterly committed and faithful to the Church, the Order and to God. A true servant.

Brother Scott - His identity as a priest of the church has always grounded him. He never allowed the inessential to distract him from his vocation.

Brother Robert -  Duty, obedience, persistence, loyalty. A love of God and of the church. Also excellent at keeping time, "are we done yet?" 

Sister Susan - I have been thinking about how kind Jeremy was - and particularly to me when we were in Santa Barbara and I had to fly back early for our son’s graduation - Jeremy insisted on getting up at 4 in the morning to take me to the airport…. A kind faithful soul. 

Brother Gawain - While driving him the train (which I did for a few years in a row) we had the opportunity to share some stories.. He once said he considered himself a priest of and for the working class. He could be very funny and I have rarely met a priest who was as unassuming and straightforward. And he always sent a card. 
I remember this prayer: 

Lord, support us all the day long,
until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.

Brother David - What I remember most about Jeremy is his gentle and quite spirit.  He was a priest through and through and was faithful to his vocation and life.  

Sister Liz - I think of Jeremy fondly. He was always present with the Order and praying the Daily Office was important to him. He was faithful and steadfast. I also like to think of people's idiosyncrasies and he had his own rhythm in praying the Daily Office and would not be dissuaded! He was very kind to me as a newbie, and seems to me a gentle soul. 

Brother Richard - I only met Jeremy one time - the last time we were gathered in NJ for our retreat. He wasn’t in good health and wasn’t very engaged (from my perspective) in our conversations.  But he was there. Clearly it was important for him to come, even if it was physically a struggle. That inspires and comforts me. 

Brother Royster -  Jeremy was grounded in his identity as a priest and comfortable in his own identity. He is a friend and I will miss him. 

The Eliot quote brings to my mind Richard Rohr's conversations about liminal space and about how the spaces from where we are to what comes next can be the thin places of drawing closer to God, of creativity, and of growth.