We announce the sad news of the death, on 3rd May and the Feast of St Philip and St James, of Canon Philip Hugh Cross. He died peacefully at St Anne’s Home, Stoke Newington where he had been living for several years and had recently been receiving end of life care.
Canon Philip was born on 9th March 1936 and ordained to the priesthood on 25th May 1974. Condolences are extended to Canon Philip's family, friends and colleagues, and to his former parishioners in parishes where he served as a priest of the Diocese of Westminster and to the Sisters, staff and residents at St Anne’s Home.
Canon Philip's mortal remains will be received at St Bede's, Croxley Green, 185 Baldwins Lane WD3 3LL, on Monday 30th May at 4.45pm and there will be a Requiem Mass at 7.30pm. The Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday 31st May at 11.30am. Bishop Paul McAleenan will preside and the homily will be given by Fr John Wiley. Burial will be at North Watford Cemetery at 1.30pm.
We pray for the repose of Canon Philip's soul:
Almighty and eternal God,
hear our prayers for your son Canon Philip Cross
whom you have called from this world to yourself.
Grant him light, happiness and peace.
Let him pass in safety through the gates of death, and live for ever with all your saints in the light you promised to Abraham and to all his descendants in faith.
Guard him from all harm
and on that great day of resurrection and reward raise him up with all your saints.
Pardon his sins and give him eternal life in your kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St Philip and St James, pray for him.
Obituary
Born in north London on 9th March 1936 and baptised in infancy at Our Lady of Muswell, Muswell Hill, Philip Hugh Cross wanted to be a priest from the age of eighteen years. He was devout, good-natured and good humoured. His parents, William and Ethel, had become Catholics and passed the faith onto Philip and to their daughter Joan. At the time of Philip’s application to the Diocese for acceptance as a student for the priesthood, when in his late 20s, the local Parish Priest at Our Lady and St Michael, Garston described Philip’s late father as a ‘saint’, and his late mother as ‘a most remarkable woman’, and Philip as ‘a most loyal son of the Church’. The Parish Priest had known Philip since Philip was seven years of age, and commended him to the Diocese: ‘Take him’, he wrote.
The young Philip was educated at Loreto College, St Albans from the age of five to seven, then at St Columba’s College in St Albans for a year before going to Hardenwick Preparatory School for boys in Harpenden until 1951. This was followed by a year at Pitmans College in Finchley. At the age of 30 Philip left the family business and went to Campion House, Osterley in preparation for seminary formation. At Campion House Philip was described as the best in his year at Latin, and as one of the outstanding students. After two years he ‘graduated’ and went to Allen Hall Seminary in Ware. Because of his age it might have been expected that his formation for priesthood would continue at the Beda in Rome but it was thought prudent that he remain in England because of a possible recurrence of jaundice – he had a serious bout while at Campion House and this delayed his move to Allen Hall. Philip had health issues while at Allen Hall, including several attacks of hepatitis, interrupting his studies and prolonging his time at the seminary.
He was ordained to the priesthood at St Bartholomew’s, St Albans South by Bishop Christopher Butler OSB, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, on 25th May 1974, when 38 years of age. Fr Philip brought to his priestly ministry maturity and experience of life ‘in the world’. His first appointment was to the parish of Our Lady of Victories, Kensington where he served as Assistant Priest from 1974-79. He was then appointed Assistant Priest at Our Lady and St Michael’s, Garston (where he and his family used to live) until 1984 when he took up appointment as Parish Priest at All Saints, Kenton where he remained for sixteen years. On 25th May 1999 he marked the Silver Jubilee of his ordination with Mass celebrated by Bishop Vincent Nichols, then Bishop in north London, followed by a parish party. He included on his prayer card ‘In thanksgiving to God and to everyone who shares in the Bread of Life’. He lamented the departure of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary from Kenton in 1995. He wrote to the Vicar General, ‘We shall miss them immensely and will be hard pressed to replace them. We shall endeavour to mobilise the laity in the pastoral and catechetical areas that the Sisters covered so well – and in the prayer life.’ He did not shy away from the demands of ministry. During his time in Kenton he was very involved with the expanding Northwick Park Hospital, with St Gregory’s Catholic College and St Luke’s Hospice, serving on the Board of Management with fellow Christians and members of other faiths before, and following completion of, this much appreciated local facility.
St Bede’s, Croxley Green was Fr Philip’s next parish, serving as Parish Priest from 2000 until his retirement at the end of September 2012. While at St Bede’s Father Philip was appointed Canon of the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter, joining the diocesan College of Consultors. He also oversaw the creation of a substantial extension of the parish hall to meet the needs of the growing parish community. By the autumn of 2009 Canon Philip recognized that early retirement would suit him – he had become tired and, in his own words, ‘increasingly worn out by parish life’. He asked to retire when 74 rather than the usual 75 years of age. He expressed the hope that he would live with, and care for, his beloved sister Joan who had Alzheimers. He also made known his plan to be buried in the grave of Joan’s late husband, Primo Signorini, in North Watford Cemetery. Joan died on Christmas Day 2017.
Canon Philip spent the last years of his life at St Anne’s Home, Stoke Newington. He was much loved by the Little Sisters of the Poor, staff and residents. In 2017 he wrote, ‘I can look back over 40 years of constant happiness in the priesthood and it’s not finished yet’. On 3rd May 2022 Canon Philip was called from St Anne’s Home to Heaven by the Lord, on the Feast of St Philip and St James.
Throughout his years of priestly ministry Canon Philip recognized and encouraged the contribution of other priests, Religious Sisters and parishioners in the life and work of the Church. He had a natural warmth and was a promoter of priestly fraternity while never being ‘clerical’. He accompanied some of the former Anglican clergy whose faith journey led them to the Catholic Church, and for many, priesthood. He enjoyed his model railway, an expansive Hornby train set in a large room of the presbytery at Croxley Green, complete with village shops and even sheep. Canon Philip was thoughtful, kind and wise. He loved to relax in the company of family and friends. He had an easy, gentle manner and a good sense of fun. A good listener, he was non-judgmental and affirming of people. He loved being a priest. In an interview with seminarians in 2015 he counselled, ‘whatever you do, you must do it with love. That’s what enables you to do it. And pray for the gift of perseverance, that once you have placed your hand on the plough you may not give up but may keep on to the end.’
May the kind soul of Canon Philip rest in peace and rise in glory.
