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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Westbrook, Fr. J. Severyn

Age 80

WESTBROOK, Fr.

J. Severyn 24 Oct 1933 - 20 Sept 2014 Gentle Reader From a young age James Severyn Westbrook wanted to be a priest.

With his intellect and passion for knowledge he could easily have had a distinguished career as professor and theologian.

No, he wanted to be in a parish, where he could serve people.

People.

God became Flesh to minister to, for and with People.

With a sacramental vision Severyn Westbrook saw the Holy in people like us - you and me.

The People of God were his calling.

So in 1962 he was ordained to be a priest in the Diocese of Spokane.

Fr.

Westbrook wasn’t one to simply hang out at church.

He wandered around town, meeting people, visiting where they worked and played.

He sensed that his being “Father” got in the way of being part of people, so he was among the first priests to wear colored shirts and over time he even would skip wearing the collar.

He was friend first, a priest in the truest sense of the word.

In relationship he, and we, found fertile ground for discovering and sharing Christ.

In time he became popularly known as Rev Sev.

He was early to the ecumenical movement.

Many a minister said he was the first Catholic priest to show up on their doorstep.

He simply wanted to visit.

They were people too and compatriots in God’s work of helping people.

Perhaps they might work together on behalf of local people in need.

Fr.

Sev loved the Catholic Church and immersed himself in its history, theology and teachings.

He was gifted in his ability to describe complicated theology in simple terms of God’s love and our response.

He loved the Church enough to call attention to its shortcomings.

For many years he wrote a column in The Inland Register titled “Letter from the Palouse.”

Rev Sev saw Church as the Body of Christ and promoted community.

He taught a Gospel of love, emphasizing charity, forgiveness and social justice.

Jesus was not simply a historical figure; Jesus was active in the here and now, working through people of faith to heal a suffering world.

The world does suffer and Fr.

Sev would not look away from the carnage.

He stayed current with the news, seeking information from a variety of sources.

He saw the societal inequalities that breed hate, the economic structures that leave a wake of poor and destitute people in our streets, and militaristic jingoism that prompted wars filled with innocents too easily dismissed as “collateral damage.”

It deeply saddened him, but to look away was to give in to our madness.

Rather he wrote and spoke with wit and irony and passion in hopes of awakening us to God’s love and our call to end, or at least mitigate, the suffering.

Sev suffered greatly too, from depression.

He was not ashamed of it.

It was a cross he had to bear much of his life.

There was a sign in in his office that read: “I have two moods, I’m happy or lucid.”

Those of us who knew him recall his friendship, his wit, and a loud laugh that sounded like startled geese.

He loved us.

It was so evident in him that it was easier to believe that Christ might love us too.

Sev was preceded in death by proud parents Elizabeth and Leslie Westbrook, his sister Mary Duffy, and his brother Thomas Westbrook.

He was beloved uncle to eight nieces and nephews, including two who reside in Spokane - Mark Westbrook and Christian Westbrook.

Rev Sev would especially like to thank the people in communities he had the privilege to serve including: (in reverse chronological order): Sisters of Providence Mt.

St. Joseph, St. Ann Parish in Spokane, St. Rose of Lima Parish in Cheney, St. Mary of the Rosary in Chewelah, Sacred Heart Parish in Pullman, Fort Wright College Chapel, St. Patrick’s Parish Walla Walla, and St. Thomas More Chapel in Pullman.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Fr.

J. Severyn Westbrook will be celebrated Thursday, October 2nd at 6pm at St. Ann Parish, 2120 E. First Ave, Spokane.

All are welcome.

Shalom Arrangements have been entrusted to: