He has written a number of books, including the Wellington Book and the NZ Book, but this is his first book of poems.

The collection, called Now You Know, includes poems by Michael Fitzsimons and photographs by Philip Birch.

It will be launched at St Joseph's, Mt Victoria on Thursday, September 24, 6pm. All are welcome.

"This collection features a series of vibrant weather photographs taken by Philip who was a wonderful friend for more than 40 years," says Michael.

"After Philip was diagnosed with terminal cancer, we decided we should collaborate on a publication. I've been a writer most of my working life and he had a store of great weather photographs."

"We knew we were unlikely to get it published in time. Philip died last October so my goal was to complete the project over the next year."

Philip was a parishioner at St Joseph's, Mt Victoria for more than 20 years, and established the garden around the church.

"Philip's life of simplicity and service was an inspiration to many people," says Michael. "He was a landscape gardener, counselor and former priest who always strived to live the Gospel life."

Despite the sadness, Now You Know is a hope-filled book at heart, says Michael Fitzsimons.

"It has two parts - general poems that I guess you could say are broadly spiritual in nature, and a series of poems about Philip."

"The poems cover many topics from new life to death and a few epiphanies on the way through."

Copies of Now You Know are available from Unity Books, Wellington and by emailing mike@fitzbeck. co.nz

Now You Know will be launched at St Joseph's, Mt Victoria on Thursday, 24 September 6pm. All are welcome.

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He had been diagnosed with cancer at the end of last year.

Birch, a former priest, was a resident of Mt Victoria for more than 20 years, and an active member of St Joseph's Parish.

In the 1980s, while still in priestly ministry, he worked as a teacher and theology lecturer.

After a long struggle with his sexual identity, he made the decision to come out as gay and left the priesthood in 1990.

Birch returned to Wellington where he had been a student, and built a new life.

Soon after arriving, he met his future partner, Musu Aiono.

Birch never gave up on the ideal of serving others.

He once commented that although he did not have a public role as a priest any more, he thought of himself as "working undercover".

He was a man who remained very committed to prayer, and to helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Birch was born in Christchurch and educated at St Bede's College.

After school, he spent a year as an American Field Scholar in Omaha, Nebraska, and then entered Mount St Mary's Seminary in Greenmeadows, Napier, in 1972, to train as a priest in the Society of Mary.

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• The DomPost
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