On Easter Tuesday, 29^th March, a large crowd of 400 mourners, including family and friends filled St. Francis of Assisi Church Paddington to bid farewell to our dear friend and fellow chorister, Jason Clayton, who died on 18^th March at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after sudden heart failure. He was 38 years old.

The Solemn Requiem Mass was attended by the Bishop of Lismore, Most Rev. Geoffrey H. Jarrett, who preached the homily and presided over the Final Commendation. The Parish Priest of St. Francis, Fr. Peter McGrath OFM was celebrant, with the Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral, Rev. Dr. Neil Brown and Fr. Philip Watkins SSS from St. Peter Julian's Church Haymarket concelebrating. Fr. Robert Borg sang the Gospel. The Prayers of Intercession were led by St. Mary's Cathedral Choirmaster, David Russell, and Director of Music at Christ Church St. Laurence, Neil McEwan.

As the Order of Service booklet stated, "The liturgy of the Catholic Church was a central part of Jason's life. From a young boy he assisted at the liturgy as a server and chorister. Following the command of the scriptures to 'sing to God all the earth, sing the glory of his name' Jason above all used his great musical gifts and his fine voice in the service of the Church and its worship." As a young shool boy in the late '70s & early '80s he had been head chorister in St. Mary's Cathedral Choir and in the last 2 years returned to its ranks as a tenor. A number of the senior school choirboys attended and represented the cathedral choir. Jason was also the regular cantor at St. Peter Julian Church,Haymarket, for the weekend Vigil Mass.

The splendour of his funeral liturgy with all its solemn ceremonial was added to by mourning musical colleagues numbering 40 singers from the choirs of churches with whom Jason had sung, including St. Francis of Assisi Paddington, and the Anglican choirs of Christ Church S. Laurence, St. James' King Street and other friends. The music included the Introit, Kyrie and Agnus Dei from the polyphonic Requiem by 16^th C spanish composer, de Victoria, with gregorian chants. The congregation sang a number of Jason's favourite hymns, including I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto me and rest", "Sinful, Sighing to be blest" and "Sweet Sacrament Divine". At the final commendation, the "In paradisum" from Fauré's "Requiem" was sung. The music for the solemn liturgy was conducted by the Director of Music at St. Francis, Bernard Kirkpatrick, a long time friend and colleague, who also gave one of the eulogies.

The choirs formed a guard of honour as the coffin was carried in procession from the church. Jason was laid to rest at Rookwood Cemetary. May his soul rest in peace and his spirit sing with the choirs of angels in Heaven.