The Fifth Day

This page is dedicated to our Cursillista Brother and Sisters

that have gone on to their final reward,

to their

FIFTH DAY

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Cyril Bull

January 8 2003

A tribute to Cyril Bull

Submitted by Norm Purchase

Cyril Bull, a retired teacher, a faithful Lay Reader, and a dedicated Cursillista, passed to his fifth Day on January 8, 2003 at the age of 90 ½ years.

 

Cyril was born in Eastport where he received his early education.  He received his teacher training at Memorial University.

 Cyril taught at Happy adventure, Little Bay West, Blaketown, Victoria Cove, Portugal Cove and Heart’s Content, where he resided from 1949 - 1973.  He was a Lieutenant in the Church Lad’s Brigade. He was active in the Newfoundland Teacher’s Association and served on the Provincial Executive for several years.  After his retirement he became actively involved in the Retired Teacher’s Association and held the office of Vice-President.

  He was so respected by the people of Heart’s Content that upon his retirement he was honored by the town. He was presented with a scroll from the General Public in recognition of his dedicated service to education, community, and church.  He was also presented with the keys to the town as well as a gold Waltham Watch and a lazy boy chair.  After his retirement in 1973 he returned to his home town of Eastport and for a time worked for Statistics Canada and as a substitute teacher Upon his return he became President of the Eastport Co-op, a position he held for several terms..

 Cyril, along with Hazen Walters and Mac Kelligrew attended a Cursillo Weekend at Beaconsfield School in St. John’s in March 1986 and so became the first lay people in the Diocese of Central Newfoundland to officially become members of the Cursillo Movement.  Whenever he could he attended Ultreyas and was faithful during some sixteen years in attending Group Reunion. He rarely missed. When he arrived he wasn’t shy with his greeting “De Colores.”  He said it with great vigor.

 Just a few months before his death, he traveled by bus to English Harbour West to attend an Ultreya - a trip that took five and a half hours from Eastport.  He attended his last Ultreya in November of 2002 at Botwood.

 Cyril was dedicated to his church.  As a Lay Reader, he held his first service on September 18, 1932 at Little Bay West, Fortune Bay in the Parish of Harbour Breton.  He continued volunteering his services as Lay Reader at Blaketown, Victoria Cove, Portugal Cove, and Heart’s Content.  When he retired from teaching in 1973 he continued to offer his services in his home Parish of Salvage until 1998 when he retired after 66 years of devoted service. At a service making that occasion he quoted the 12^th. Verse of St. Paul’s letter to Timothy. “I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work.  I thank him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve him.”

 He was a charter member of the Central Newfoundland Diocesan Association of Layreaders which was founded in Grand Falls in June 1977.  After 50 years of service he was made an Honorary Member.  For many years he attended the Layreaders’ Conferences at Mint Brook. In fact a couple of weeks before his ninetieth birth he attended the day session of the conference on June of 2002.

 He delighted in visiting the Senior’s home in Glovertown when our Cursillo Group visited for a Prayer and Praise Service. Cyril and Nora made a practice of visiting the sick and shut-ins. This he continued to do so whenever he could, after Nora went to her Fifth Day.

 Cyril was a man of great faith. When faced with some problem or difficulty he took comfort in the promise, “My grace is sufficient for you.”  He wasn’t very often negative in his approach to things and when he was he had good reason. At every opportunity he promoted Cursillo by word and example.  His dedication stands as an inspiration to all of us. Along with his late wife Nora he touched the lives of many with whom he came in contact.  As a Christian he lived as one who had hope.  His hope was in the “Word made flesh.”  Perhaps this quote from “Our Daily Bread” is appropriate:

“Christ conquered death and broke its power

By rising from the grave

Eternal life He gave to all

Who trust to Him to save.”

 So we say good-bye to a fellow Cursillista, a loyal friend, a faithful Christian gentleman and entrust him to the care of our loving Heavenly Father.

 Funeral services took place on January 10 at Holy Cross Church, Eastport, at 2:30 p.m., followed by internment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

 Cyril Bull gone to his Fifth Day at the age of 90. “De Colores.”