Father Desmond Cantwell S.D.S, parish priest of Our Lady Mother of the Saviour, Chipperfield, passed away on April 18th in Hemel Hempstead Hospital. He was 68 years old.
There are those who would say Desmond Cantwell was born to be a priest, for indeed he and two of his four brothers were ‘born priests’, each serving their parish communities with strong faith, unwavering commitment and great love.
Father Des, as he was always known, came to to Chipperfield as resident priest-in-charge of the newly created Pastoral area/parish  in 1978. The parish, spread across some 50 square mile of Hertfordshire takes in Chipperfield itself, Kings Langley, Bovingdon, Sarratt, Flaunden and Felden, Until 1989, when the church at Chipperfield was finally completed, Fr. Des travelled the villages, saying Masses at the generous invitation of  the churches established in each place. 
Coming from a devout Irish Catholic family, Des was imbued both with great faith, and with a fine sense of humour. It was not difficult to remember his wise words from the altar steps, linked as they often were to some comic incident in his life or to Irish proverbial wisdom itself.
Unlike Fr. Des, who stayed to minister in England, his two brothers Terry and Michael were sent by the Salvatorian Order to neighbouring parishes in Tanzania. Support from Chipperfield for these third world communities was ever the first priority. Fr. Des saw to it that money was provided at time of famine to feed children, the sick and the elderly. Most recently his fund raising campaign  following a visit to the Ocean Road Cancer Institute for Children in Dar-es-Salaam, saw over £20,000 being raised to alleviate the terrible suffering caused by lack of equipment and drugs. If nothing else stands for his memory as a caring man this will.
Fr. Des’ parishioners share the loss of  a great man, holy priest, trustworthy friend and wise counsellor. Our sympathies in particular go to his surviving family, brothers, Terry, Paddy and Kevin and sister Madge, and to all who mourn  his loss at this sad time.  David Peacock

Bad news travels fast” and the village grape-vine is most efficient, but some of the congregation arriving for Sunday Mass were shaken to read the announcement of Fr. Desmond’s death posted on the Church door. We have lost a wonderful priest and a good friend!
So many wished to show their love and respect for Fr. Des, that both Masses were packed to overflowing. The owners of the field opposite the Church had kindly offered its use as an overflow car park. On the evening of Monday 28 April, the body was received into the Church to stand before the altar during the night. Mass was said. The funeral Mass was held on Tuesday 29 April at 11 o’clock. More than 20 priests were on the altar because Fr. Des was a member of the Salvatorian order as well as our priest. Fr. Malachy spoke of Fr. Desmond’s life and work both within and beyond Chipperfield, and then the time arrived for the coffin to be taken from the Church which he had built. It was a very moving moment. According to Fr. Desmond’s wishes, he was buried with his brother Salvatorians at Clamp Hill, Harrow Weald. All present were invited to take refreshments at Blackwells. The letters of condolence and the presence at the funeral of Ministers and members of our fellow churches has been deeply appreciated.
The congregation of Our Lady Mother of the Saviour were so fortunate to have Fr. Des for 30 years. Fortunate too that Fr. Terry should be here to be with his brother and to serve our church in this very sorrowful time.
Janet Keates