Prayers for the Family of the Rev. Martin Hattersley

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,  

With great sadness I am writing to inform you of the death of the Rev. Martin Hattersley, retired priest of the diocese.

An Edmonton lawyer, Martin was ordained a priest by Bishop Gerald Burch in 1974. During his ministry he served as priest-in-charge or assistant priest in eight Edmonton parishes, most recently St. Timothy’s and St. Matthias, as well as in St. Paul’s, Leduc and St. Matthew’s, St. Albert. In 2014, I had the honour of presenting Martin with his Bachelor of Theology degree from Thorneloe University in the chapel at Canterbury Court.

Martin wrote a regular column, “As I see It,” for The Messenger for more than 20 years. Greg Whistance-Smith authored a book of his grandfather Martin’s columns in which he described him as a man of “sharp insight and generous spirit.” Greg writes: “In 1988, Martin lost his daughter Catherine Greeve to a homicide. He suffered through this public tragedy with grace, and it brought him the unwanted authority of one that experiences great loss yet continues in faith. It also propelled Martin into extensive volunteering and advocacy roles in the area of criminal justice. While remaining deeply committed to his church and faith, he led the Victims of Homicide Support Society, the Alternatives to Violence Project, and served as chairman of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Edmonton Institution…”

Please pray for Martin’s wife Florence, daughters Nancy (Andrew) Whistance-Smith and Janet (Warren) Douglas, sister Hope (Helmut) Metszies and all the family.

Loving and merciful God,
We entrust our brother Martin to your mercy.
You loved him greatly in this life; Now that he is freed from all its cares give him happiness and peace for ever.
The old order has passed away;
Welcome him into paradise
Where there will be no more sorrow,
No more weeping or pain,
But only peace and joy
With Jesus, Your Son,
And the Holy Spirit,
For ever and ever, Amen  

May God bless you this day and always, +Jane