Death / Funeral Notice

Obituaries, further details etc

Clergy who are coming are welcome to concelebrate. Please bring your own vestments.

Private cremation.

There will be a gathering after the service from 2pm at Glen Waverley RSL 161 Coleman Pde Glen Waverley VIC.

Tributes

Rev. Leo Holleran, M.S. wrote on March 21, 2023

Bryan and Linnette Kavanagh wrote on September 27, 2022

Trevor Moyle wrote on June 13, 2022

Libby and Dennis Cavagna wrote on June 7, 2022

Marilia, Dave, Madeleine Hamilton wrote on June 7, 2022

Ken, Robyne, James and Kyle McKeown wrote on June 7, 2022

Stephen Despard wrote on June 6, 2022

McGrath family wrote on June 6, 2022

Colette Barker (née Curtin) wrote on June 5, 2022

Margaret Ryan & Terry Ryan wrote on June 4, 2022

June Curtis wrote on June 3, 2022

Hourigan Family wrote on June 3, 2022

It was with much sadness that the Hourigan family heard of Eric’s passing. He was both a priest and close friend to many in our family. While undergoing national service at Puckapunyal brother Murray met him and Eric was later to kindly officiate at Murray’s and Beverley’’s wedding. When Eric took up the post to establish the parish at Holy Savour he asked our mother, « Dede» to join him as resident/ housekeeper . Later,, when he moved to St. Bedes at Balwyn she went there with him and their working relationship continued.He always referred to her as « Mrs.H, my guiding philosopher » .He was very generous and always very welcoming when many of mum’s extended family came to visit her. On his retirement he said he had her photo on his desk where he wrote his regular articles. I first met him in secondary school and our friendship continued  
over the years and into our retirements. He would regularly send me copies of his latest articles and we would met for lunch every now and then to discuss issues in the. Church, politics and society in general. At one of our last lunches he told me he felt satisfied with his life of service to God and parishioners: a man happy and contented in his own skin.. Hourigans will remember  him, a talented, generous and kind family friend. RIP.

Marian and Albert van Grieken wrote on June 3, 2022

We first met Eric when we moved into our new parish of Holy Saviour after we were married in 1979.
From the very first time we went to mass there we felt a vibrancy and a new level of what faith was all about.  Eric was a brilliant thinker whose sermons provided an insight and linked our faith to the world we lived in. He related to music themes or shows he had seen or political changes in the world like in his ‘Gorbachev’ sermon.  He made faith real and alive.
His leadership was enabling.  He was the one who set up the foundations of the parish and from there used ‘gentle’ persuasion when he thought a person was right for the job. For me, it was HS choir and it was the best years of my time at HS with a very talented and keen group.  He allowed creativeness, encouraged people to spread their wings and he quietly expected a high standard. Groups, no matter what type, grew and participation was high.
He once said that new parishes with young families create life-long friendships, but this would not have been possible without his inspiration and guidance and the environment that he created.
Close friendships have lasted all these years. We thank Eric for his vision and wisdoms.  RIP

Shayne & Mary Mooney wrote on June 3, 2022

John Jacobs wrote on June 2, 2022

Nolan Family wrote on June 2, 2022

Chris Keun wrote on June 1, 2022

Laurie Pearson wrote on May 31, 2022

The Pickering Family wrote on May 31, 2022

Damian & Jenny Bourkd wrote on May 31, 2022

Bruce Haigh wrote on May 30, 2022

Ros Magee wrote on May 30, 2022

Terry Williams wrote on May 30, 2022

I met Eric Hodgens when I was at Melbourne University in 1969. He and Fr Tom Doyle were appointed "unofficial" university chaplains by Archbishop Know and they would come to Newman College at evenings for dinner. Along with many Newman guys, we would trek over to where they were resident at Ozanam House for beer, wine, biscuits and cheese. In the late 1970's, Jenny married Jenny and I at Holy Saviour, where he was founding parish priest. He baptized our oldest child Gareth at Holy Saviour. In the years following he was a regular at our house for dinner always bringing a nice bottle of wine before we moved on to lunches in many Melbourne restaurants. Eric always chose the wine and the waiters would hang about like they were doing penance or seeking some type of absolution. This continued into his retirement years and in 2014 he honoured us by coming out of retirement to marry Gareth & Alicia (it was a grand day). 
Always loved reading his published work and I have added a link to one from 2020.
https://johnmenadue.com/eric-hodgens-reflections-on-sixty-years-as-a-priest/
We are sure gonna miss him!!!!

Sue & John Sutton wrote on May 30, 2022

Kevin Peoples wrote on May 30, 2022

Larry Dent wrote on May 30, 2022

Christine Valladares wrote on May 29, 2022

I am in the group, like others above, who have much to thank Eric for because he changed our lives. What an amazing priest, What an amazing man. His homilies were legendary.  You had to get to mass 15 minutes early to get a seat. If people missed mass they would ring around to find out what Eric had said. He had the human touch. He noticed if you were at mass. He always remembered names.  He rang you to give you a job that may have been challenging, but supported you in whatever role it was. He taught us how to be thinking Catholics.  He reminded us that you can't be a Christian alone. He reinforced that the power was not a quality of Jesus Christ. I particularly remember a homily he gave to my son's class when he was in the primary school.  It was a small mass with little 'uns and his housekeeper had died and his budgie as well. He spoke to them of his sadness. He spoke to them honestly of loss.  But he also spoke of hope and heaven.  I think the next day his home was inundated with offers of budgies. All of us were moved. I do hope that Father Eric is enjoying the company of the many wonderful friends he made in his time as a most giving priest who challenged us all to be Vatican II people. Thank you, Fr Eric.

Mary Conlan wrote on May 28, 2022

Elsie Bannan and family wrote on May 28, 2022

Greg Latemore wrote on May 28, 2022

Julia Brotherton wrote on May 28, 2022

Barbara Eales wrote on May 28, 2022

Eric was my much loved big brother. He had a significant impact on my  life and on those of our three siblings. He added richness to the lives of my husband and me in many ways not the least being the outstanding people we met through him. 
He was a solace in stressful times and always interested and engaged with the doings of the next generation. I turned to him for help and guidance so many  times over the years .He never le me down. 
When we were first married and living in Singapore he took his first visit overseas,on his way to Vietnam. He developed a taste for travel at that time. Subsequently we traveled together many  times -to New York and Boston (where we met the ebullient Bill) ,to Vietnam ,France,and Italy on two occasions. We treasure those happy memories of fun times with Michael Elligate and co. 
I have been so impressed by  the close friends who have cared for Eric when he needed them most -Terry Laidlaw,John Hannon,Terry Williams. What gems of people. He had a great life for 85 of his years.
I will miss him every day till l Die.

Eileen Davis wrote on May 27, 2022

Russell Davis wrote on May 27, 2022

Colin and Helen STYRING wrote on May 27, 2022

Joy and Murray Stapleton wrote on May 27, 2022

Judy Clarke wrote on May 27, 2022

Mick Leahy wrote on May 27, 2022

Tony and Julie Ottobre wrote on May 27, 2022

john hannon wrote on May 27, 2022

Peter Grogan wrote on May 27, 2022

Bill Williams wrote on May 27, 2022

Michael Padden wrote on May 27, 2022

Phil Ruthven wrote on May 26, 2022

Terry Laidler wrote on May 26, 2022

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Funeral Details

Local Date & time

12:00 pm Tue 07 June 2022

Venue

Holy Saviour Catholic Church 765 Highbury Rd Vermont S VIC

Funeral Director

Heritage & Heritage Funerals

Tel (03) 9800 3000

Rev Fr Eric John HODGENS

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