09/22/2024
A hearse with pallbearers will transport Father Grimes' body from the UK to Uganda, where he will be laid to rest at Saint Damain Grimes Chapel at Namasagali College / Namasagali University . The event will include a moment of silence and farewell before the repatriation of Father Grimes to Uganda. The Grimes Family, Mill Hill Fathers, and various alumni will be present.
The UK Crown Government ,Ugandan Government, Namasagali College / Namasagali University Alumni,The Fr.Grimes Family and Mill Hill Missionary HQ and Kyabazinga of Busoga are working closely.
Mill Hill Missionaries Fathers on the Holy ground to recieve the Man of God Saint Father Damian Grimes MHM our Saint. May You Rest In Peace
The Namasagali University / Namasagali College Chapel is to benamed after as Saint Damian Grimes Chapel as the entire Africa has endorsed it n recognition of the Great Cannonized a very virtuous, kind, or patient Saint Damian Grimes we are adding more achieves on the Top level domain to strengthen the legacy and achievements towards Humanity and Namasagali College / Namasagali University and Mill Hill Fathers will continue to grow the work of Fr.Grimes who is now Saint Damian Grimes Chapel working together with Kyabazinga of Busoga
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It is with regret that we inform you of the death at Abbotsbury Care Home, Southport, England, on Wednesday, 4th September 2024 at 10:30 in the evening, aged 93 years, of
Father Damian Grimes
Mill Hill Missionary
May he rest in peace
Damian was born on the 11th of June, 1931 in Wakefield, North-East England. His father was John Grimes, a Railway Guard, and his mother was Mary Grimes, nee Parkinson. He was born into a small family with one brother and one sister.
His early years in education were spent in his local primary school, after which he partly completed his Secondary Education at Saint Michaelâs College in Leeds. Feeling called to the missionary priesthood with the Mill Hill Missionaries, he completed his Certificate in Secondary Education at our College in Burn Hall near Durham (1947-1949). From there, he progressed onto the study of Philosophy in the Missiehuis in Roosendaal, Holland (1949-1951). Upon completion of his studies there, he continued his preparation for the priesthood by studying Theology at Saint Josephâs College, Mill Hill, London, England (1951-1955). As his theological studies drew to completion, Damian took the Perpetual Oath in the Chapel of Saint Josephâs College on the 5th of May, 1954. In the same Chapel, the following year, he was ordained a priest at the hands of Cardinal Bernard Griffin on the 10th of July, 1955. Recognising his aptitude for studies, Damianâs first appointment was to Further Studies at the University of Glasgow, where he graduated with a BA in History in 1958. To complete his ability to teach, he graduated from Jordanhill College in Glasgow with a Post Graduate Diploma in Education.
In late 1959, Damian was appointed to work in Uganda and was appointed onto the staff of Namilyango College. There he worked for eight years. In 1967 he was appointed Headmaster at Kamuli College, Namasagali, situated in the Diocese of Jinja. It was here that Damian âplantedâ his heart and strove for over thirty years to maintain the College and raise its standards in so many ways. Even during the difficult years of the Amin Presidency, Damian kept the College going by offering a comprehensive education to its pupils. He encouraged his pupils to excel in education which would prepare them for life. Such pastime as boxing, drama, gymnastics and chess he encouraged enthusiastically and successfully. Many of his former pupils went on to play key roles in building Uganda. Others progressed in Further Education and are making a valuable contribution to life around the world. It was of particular delight to Damian, that many of his former pupils kept in touch with him. In recognition of his outstanding service to the people of Uganda in the field of education, Damian was awarded the MBE.
After a well-earned home leave in 2000, Damian returned for a short time to Kampala Archdiocese in Uganda. By February, 2003 Damian was withdrawn from Uganda and settled into parish ministry close to his ailing sister in Llanrwst in Northern Wales. While ministering in North Wales, Damian was always keen to help with APF promotion, to participate in national assemblies of Mill Hill, and to attend various celebrations at Herbert House, Liverpool. Sadly, after almost thirteen years of faithful service to the community at Llanrwst, ill health forced Damian into retirement in Herbert House, Liverpool, in September 2016, where he settled into retirement and completed publication of his memoirs.
The last few months Damianâs health took a turn for the worse, so much so that in July 2024, he was moved to Abbotsbury Care Home, Southport, to ensure the best care possible for him. Sadly, Damian passed away at half past ten in the evening of Wednesday, 4th September 2024, bringing with him 70 years of loving service as a Mill Hill Missionary. May the Lord whom he served so faithfully welcome him to his heavenly glory. âWell done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masterâs happiness!â Matthew 25:21 NIV.
Information regarding his funeral arrangements will be published later through the Mill Hill Society Website.
