Father Colin Fowler, OP, recently appointed Parish Priest of St. James’ Parish of Forest Lodge and Pyrmont has graciously accepted the co-patronage of our Association. On behalf of our Alumni we express our sincere thanks and our best wishes to Father Fowler and St. James’ Parish.

---

Combined Annual Mass & Luncheon

AT
THE CATHOLIC CLUB
CASTLEREAGH STREET
SYDNEY

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2005

The Committee is planning a memorable day with the Holy Mass to be celebrated by Father John Knight at Noon in the auditorium of The Catholic Club, followed by a short break with the Luncheon to commence at 1.15pm.

The Catholic Club is located on Castlereagh Street between Park and Bathurst Streets and is within easy walking distance from all city bus routes and Town Hall Railway Station.

It is by coincidence that The Catholic Club’s 2005 Annual Report contains a reference, by President John Ireland, to its First Communion Day in 1924. We share part of it with you.

    “The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father P. Murphy, Administrator of St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Communion Breakfast was held on this very (Club) site. The Club gave 100 pounds ($200) to Archbishop Kelly for St. Mary’s Cathedral building fund. Archbishop Kelly attended the Communion Breakfast. Some of his Grace’s comments included that ‘the lack of skilled tradesmen was hindering the completion of St. Mary’s Cathedral’. His Grace deplored the fact (even in 1924) that people were not entering the trades and asked members to encourage their children to take up apprenticeships for the good of Australia. His Grace promised that the work would go on ‘until the Gold Cross crowned the summit of their achievement’. The breakfast concluded with the singing of ‘Faith of Our Fathers’. ”

All details of the Mass and Luncheon will be included in our next issue in mid September. Please keep this important day in mind.  Your prompt response will be most appreciated by the writer. Remember, if you do not have a cheque account, payment may be made on the day. All that will be necessary is to just give Kevin Scott a call on the ‘phone on 9975 6481 to make the arrangement.

A Bit of History

Did the closure of St. Mary’s College, Lyndhurst, Glebe on June 18, 1877 and the subsequent departure of the Benedictines play some part in the establishment of the Parish of Forest Lodge? While the greater majority of Catholics of Glebe may have attended St. Benedict’s Church in Chippendale, many may have taken the advantage of the chapel at Lyndhurst. There would have been a number of Masses celebrated in the chapel each morning. A congregation, no matter how small, may well have been welcome at these Masses.

On July 8, 1877, just 20 days after the closure of Lyndhurst, the foundation stone of St. James’ Church was blessed and laid by Archbishop Vaughan. The solemn opening of St. James’ Church took place on September 1, 1879 with the celebration of High Mass by Father John S. Vaughan. His Grace, Archbishop Roger Bede Vaughan, delivered the sermon.

Two Benedictines from Lyndhurst ministered at Forest Lodge. Father Bernard Callachor, OSB, was parish priest from December 9, 1882 to August 1891, when he went to St. Fiacre’s, Leichhardt. Father Callachor died at St. Francis Xavier’s Parish, Paddington on August 17, 1898. Father Myles Edmund Athy, OSB, was assistant priest from October 12, 1880 to May 1887 and died in the care of the Patrician Brothers at St. Charles’ Villa, Home for Aged and Invalid Priests at Ryde on October 19, 1891.
 
A guide to the structure of the Professors and Teachers at St. Mary’s College, Lyndhurst appears in the 1876 issue of “The Sand’s Directories”.  The following advertisement appears on page 79:

I. O. G. D
ESTABLISHED IN 1852
St. Mary’s College, Lyndhurst.
President
The Very Rev. M. J. Dwyer, O.S.B.
Vice President and Headmaster
The Rev. D. P, Quirk, O.S.B., M.A., Sydney University.
Professors
The Rev. H. B. Callachor, O.S.B., B.A., Sydney University
E.W. Fitzgerald, Esq., B.A., Sydney University
W.H. Hynes, Esq., B.A., Sydney University
J. O’Reilly, Esq., English College, Rome
Music (Pianoforte)             Drawing – Mr. Jas Fowler
Mr. B. Downing             Dancing -  Mr. W. Clark
Writing and Book-keeping                    Drill
Mr. Fitzjohn Hall            Sergeant-Major McGarvis
The Course of Education comprises
Instruction in the English, Latin, Greek and French Languages;
Arithmetic, including Bookkeeping and Penmanship;
History, Geography, and Natural Philosophy;
Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Land Surveying;
Catechism and Ecclesiastical History.

Of interest to the alumni of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Waterloo is that Father Edmund Athy, OSB, also ministered at Waterloo from 1870 to 1872 and Father D.P. [Placid] Quirk, OSB, in 1881-1882.

Martin Hugh Callachor and Daniel Quirk entered Lyndhurst as novices in 1859 and were professed as Brothers in 1862, taking the names in religion of Bernard and Placid, respectively. M. Forster records that ‘Brothers Bernard. Callachor and Placid Quirk were conferred with minor orders on August 15, 1869’.
 
Both remained at Lyndhurst until its closure in 1877. The President of St. Mary’s College from 1873 to its closure was Father John Dwyer, grandson of Michael Dwyer, the Wicklow Chief, whose remains, together with those of his wife Mary, nee Doyle, rest beneath the ’98 Memorial in Waverley Cemetery.

Archbishop Polding arrived in Sydney aboard the Phoenix on January 30, 1856. He was accompanied by Father Athy and six other priests. Father Edmund Athy was at Lyndhurst from 1857-1860.
Requiescant in Pace

Sources: 
(i) “Lyndhurst and Benedictine Education” by M. Forster, B.A. Dip.Ed, which appeared in the Australian Catholic Record, October 1946-July 1947, held in the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney
(ii) ‘St. James’ Church, Forest Lodge – A Chronicle of Parish Life (1877-1977)’ compiled by John Fletcher.
(iii)  ‘Centenary Booklet’ issued by the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Waterloo.
(iv) ‘Unassisted Passengers arriving at Sydney 1846-1922’ held in the State Records of NSW, Globe Street, Sydney
 (v)  ‘Sand’s Directories’ held in the State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney

The Australian Patricians and Others

Englishman, Scotsman, Irishman, Colonials, Australians

We continue now with the history of the Brothers who joined the Order in our own land. Some were with the Order but for a short time, the life was not for them others for a number of years; and many who committed themselves until death. But each and every one, together with all the Irish Brothers, contributed in weaving the skein of the history of the Institute of the Order of the Brothers of St. Patrick (Patrician Brothers) in Australia since the arrival of the Pioneer Brothers in 1883.

From 1885-1904, novices were part of the individual communities at Goulburn, Redfern, Ryde, Orange and, in particular, Bathurst.

However, it is important to be aware of the attempts made to establish novitiates in the early years and the reasons for the failure so to do. The intentions were there; the requirement was known – but for 15 years fate intervened.

Brother Paul O’Connor (RIP) records:

‘In 1889 Brother Alphonsus Delaney visited Australia and attempted to set up a novitiate. He negotiated the purchase of 28 acres of land at Rydalmere [a suburb of Sydney approximately 7 kilometres or 4 miles from Ryde in the direction of Parramatta]. A deposit of 550 Pounds ($1100) was placed in the hands of a solicitor, who became bankrupt before the transfer was executed. Subsequently 400 Pounds was recovered.

‘The year 1890 saw the commencement of a successful fund-raising campaign for the building of a college and novitiate. The sum of 2500 Pounds was collected through the efforts of Brother Ignatius Price. The money was deposited in St. Joseph’s Building Society, a Catholic institution in Sydney. This Society, along with most of the banks, closed its doors during the depression of the early 1890s. In lieu of their deposit the Brothers received two houses in Hunter’s Hill worth about 900 Pounds. Apparently no further effort was made to provide a novitiate house until St. Patrick’s Monastery was built at Redfern by Brother Stanislaus Bergin in 1904 which provided accommodation for six novices. It remained a novitiate house until Mount Carmel [Waterloo] school  opened in 1908.’

In his writings of the provincial-ship of Brother Boniface Carroll, Brother Paul O’Connor further records:

‘Brother Boniface’s third great achievement was the establishment of a novitiate house at “Croagh Patrick” [Hill of Patrick], East Orange, [approximately 500 kilometres or 300 miles north-west of Sydney] on what was known as the Llanelo estate. This property, located about two miles from the township of Orange, was purchased in January 1914 and solemnly blessed by Bishop Dunne on May 10, 1914.

‘Llanelo estate included 56 acres of land. In 1915 “Croagh Patrick” was opened as a High school, with Brothers Canice Grimes and Bernard O’Toole in charge. Brothers Alphonsus Eviston, Finian Byrne (and Cuthbert Corbishley, who also was responsible for the direction of the orchard and farm) conducted the primary school (at Orange) which required the Brothers to walk a distance of two miles each way (shades of Forest Lodge), but Brother Ignatius Barrett recalls that, in later years, the Brothers had the use of a phaeton (a small buggy).

‘Brother Austin McGrath was appointed to Orange in 1917. However, the daily walk proved too much for Brother Austin and he was transferred that year to Forest Lodge, residing at Ryde (from the frying pan…?)

‘How did “Croagh Patrick” fare as a novitiate? It was not a great success. It was slow to get started and in spite of some canvassing there were never more than a few juniors, postulants and novices.’ [However “Croagh Patrick” did produce three outstanding Brothers, viz., Joseph Tierney, Ignatius Barrett and Francis McDermott.] 

‘The Brothers ceased teaching at Orange on April 13, 1927. In compliance with an Episcopal order they left “Croagh Patrick” on Christmas Eve, 1927, after a private farewell from a small assemblage of Old Boys.’
 
‘Upon the resignation of Brother Benignus Kealy in April 1927, Brother Raphael Phelan was appointed Provincial.

‘The sale of “Croagh Patrick” was negotiated by the Brother Raphael Phelan. After expert advice, and there being no other prospective purchaser, it was sold to the Bishop of Bathurst, Dr M. O’Farrell. 

‘Brother Raphael was a remarkable man. He was an outstanding teacher, appointed to Ryde in 1920, and under his guidance a number students at Holy Cross College secured Honours in the Leaving Certificate. His views about the development of the Province were not acceptable to the Irish regime – particularly his idea of establishing a novitiate at Ryde with a separate house and grounds – and this almost certainly accounts for the brevity of his term of office. If he had been allowed to carry out his ideas, which most Brothers in Australia thought to be far-seeing and practical, the Province would have been on a far sounder footing. When he was refused permission to implement his plans, he applied for a change from the Province.’ [In December 1928, Brother Raphael Phelan transferred to the India Province and ‘later held high positions in Ireland, where [in 1948] he pioneered as leader of the first Patrician Brothers in California.’]

‘In 1929, Brother Celsus Daly was appointed Provincial. At a meeting of the Provincial and his Council on April 6, 1929, it resolved to purchase a property, in the parish of Pymble [some 20 kilometres north-west of the heart of the city of Sydney], subject to the permission of the parish priest., Father John Kelly, which he readily granted.  In May 1929, the council decided to purchase ‘Glenwood” at Wahroonga, a suburb within the parish of Pymble. The purchase was completed in June 1929.’

Wahroonga Novitiate opened that year with Brother Aloysius Hannigan as Novice Master assisted by Brother Serenus Quann.

In 1934, under Provincial, Brother Austin O’ Connell, ‘the council decided to purchase adjoining land, of about two and a half acres, from the Department of Lands and to build extensions. The building,
constructed in 1935, contained a chapel, dining room, science room, class rooms and a dormitory’

Orange and Wahroonga novitiates laid the foundation for the stream of Australian Brothers needed post World War II to help staff the schools in the outer western suburbs of Sydney. This was first evidenced in 1942 at the opening of Holy Spirit School, Granville, when World War II prohibited Brothers coming from Ireland until the first post war arrivals in May 1946. The first Superior at Granville was Brother Joseph Tierney (Orange novitiate) assisted by Brothers Gerard Histon and Vincent Budin (both Wahroonga novitiate).
 
‘In 1957 it was decided to renovate the old house at Wahroonga and in 1965 to extend the accommodation and, after investigations, to include a new science room for which a Commonwealth grant was obtained. However in 1967 it was necessary to obtain a bank loan to finance new buildings, including science facilities, a hall, refectory and kitchen block.

‘The purchase of the Narellan property was announced by the Provincial, Brother Rodan Bergin, on February 3, 1963. It contained 25 acres of land, an old bungalow, a modern cottage and several outhouses. The original intention was to use the property for a novitiate temporarily, then to convert it to a juvenate.  The new house was blessed and opened by the Most Rev. T. McCabe, Bishop of Wollongong, on May 4, 1963. Next day Brother Malachy Corbett was appointed Superior and Novice Master and Brother Norbert Phelan as First Assistant. The Brothers took up residence on May 19, 1963, the first novices being Brothers Raymund Eves, Chysostom Quinn and Anthony Innis.

‘In August 1964 the Provincial Council decided to extend the buildings by a chapel, a dormitory and study block, for which funds were allocated from the sale of Redfern monastery. The additions were blessed by Bishop McCabe on March 13, 1966.’

The Narellan novitiate was sold to the Diocese of Wollongong and is now known as Magdalene College. The college is co-educational, meeting the needs of the youth of Narellan and its surrounds

It is appropriate to acquaint our readers with the schools established in the western suburbs in the decades of the 1940s and the 1950s. Starting off as small schools they blossomed into colleges with pupils numbering 1000 and more. While the Brothers from Ireland continued to arrive until 1969 those Brothers who came through the novitiates at Orange, Wahroonga and Narellan played an important part in the establishment and staffing of these schools. The following information regarding these schools, in the main, has been extracted from “The Patrician Brothers in Australia – The First Hundred Years”.

GRANVILLE

On February 1, 1942, the Patrician Brothers commenced teaching in the parish of Holy Trinity, Granville.  The Community consisted of Brother Joseph Tierney, assisted by Brothers Gerard Histon and Vincent Budin. The roll call on the opening day was 101 pupils. In that first year, Archbishop Gilroy, later Cardinal, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 80 boys.

The first 20 years of the Brothers’ work at Granville was marked by much hardship and improvisation.

The school was first established in the old Church hall, long since demolished. A block of four brick classrooms was added in 1953 followed by four temporary demountables, but it was becoming urgently apparent that a new approach to planning was necessary.

By 1960, the Community had increased to eight and the old residence was demolished to make way for a new Monastery which opened on April 30, 1961.  In 1996 the school was renamed Delany College.

BLACKTOWN

In 1950, Rev. Father Slowey, Diocesan Inspector of Schools, requested the Provincial, Brother Norbert Phelan to consider opening a school at Blacktown or Wentworthville. The Provincial Council made the choice of Blacktown for the site of the Patrician College in the parish of St Patrick’s, Blacktown about 40 kilometres [25 miles] from the centre of Sydney.

On opening day 28 January 1952 there were 120 pupils with a staff of three; Brother Gerard Histon, assisted by Brothers John Thompson and Basil Downey. The new school was situated in an excellent site of 13 acres, convenient to rail transport and in the heart of a quiet rural community. Soon it was to be the centre of an expanding population belt with growth so rapid and extensive as to be equalled by few areas in metropolitan Sydney.

At first the Brothers travelled from Granville until the Blacktown Monastery was opened on 15 August 1955. The then Principal, Brother Benedict Olsen became Superior of the new Community and during his term to 1961 extensive improvements were made to the surrounds of the Monastery and school; new lawns, tennis courts, playing fields, walkways. Parents generously gave of their time in assisting in these improvements.

By 1970, enrolment had passed 1000 and in 1982 a teaching staff of 58 catered for 1039.

FAIRFIELD

In August 1951, the Brothers received a letter from Bishop O’Brien on behalf of His Eminence Cardinal Gilroy, requesting staff for a school for boys planned for Fairfield. Whereas there were primary convent schools at nearby Cabramatta, Smithfield and Villawood as well as Fairfield, there were no opportunities for senior primary and secondary Catholic education for boys in this new and rapidly expanding centre.

Brothers Peter Johnson (Superior and Principal) Kevin Samuel and Eugene Kelly formed the first Patrician Community at Fairfield. The Brothers took up residence in the old weather-board homestead on the ten acre property acquired by the Archdiocese as the site for the school.

When Cardinal Gilroy blessed the Monastery and officially opened the school on 8 March 1953, there were 170 pupils enrolled in Years 4, 5 and 6. By 1963 the enrolment had reached almost 1000. In 1988 the enrolment was 1392 to Year 12.

LIVERPOOL

The Brothers came to Liverpool in 1954. Brother Joseph Tierney was chosen to bring the Patrician Brothers to All Saints parish in the old Macquarie town of Liverpool. Ill health forced his withdrawal in April. His successor, Brother Ignatius Barrett relished the idea of looking after a school in the then wide open spaces of Liverpool, after spending many fruitful years teaching in the inner-city schools.

The first stages of the present primary school were completed in September 1955 and in that year a second Brother, Brother Lactean McGree was assigned to the school. Until then classes were held in a partition type shelter that was subject to the elements. These hardships were borne with good spirit by the Brothers and their first students.

Until the Monastery was built in 1958, the Brothers travelled variously from Redfern, Granville and Fairfield. The first Community to live at Liverpool comprised Brothers Ignatius Barrett, Eugene Kelly and Callistus Keating. Brother Ignatius was to remain Superior until 1962.

The new Superior, Brother Gerald Egan, began his long association with the school in 1959 and in 1963 the first signs of expansion appeared. These included a larger tuckshop and an extra classroom.

The next stage of growth in 1966 was the building of the secondary school. Further construction followed in 1967 and 1970. In 1977, the school was renamed All Saints’ Catholic Boys’ College. In 1998 the enrolment was 720 to Year 10.

SEFTON

Brother Paul O’Connor records: ‘The school at Sefton operated for from 1961 to 1964. The Brothers took up residence on January 20, 1961 in a former convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph. A new monastery and school were promised. Starting with 4th and 5th Class, the school increased by one Class each year. The Superior was Brother Celestine Mulhall assisted by Brothers Eugene Kelly and Cyril Boland. The school was closed on December 17, 1964 as a result of the introduction of the Wyndham system, which required a general rationalization and reorganization of Catholic schools.’

AITAPE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

There was yet another new venture undertaken by the Australia Province. ‘In 1967 the Brothers accepted the invitation of the Bishop of Aitape, Most Reverend Ignatius Doggett, OFM, to teach at St. Ignatius High School at Aitape. As we mentioned in our last issue, the first Brothers chosen to bring the Patricians to Aitape in 1968 were Brother Charles Barry and Brother Gabriel McCluskie. Many others have followed. Thirty seven years later, the Brothers continue in Aitape. Brother Norbert Yeku is the first fully professed indigenous Patrician Brother of Papua New Guinea.’

The Brothers

The Brothers are recorded in chronological order of date of entry. The town/city/novitiate shown in brackets immediately following the name indicates where the Brother entered the Congregation. This information is particularly important up to the opening of the first Novitiate, “Croagh Patrick”, at Orange, NSW, in 1914.

1885 Brother Cuthbert John Corbishley, (Bathurst). The first novice to enter the Congregation in Australia, was not born in this land, Brother Cuthbert Corbishley was born in England on May 2, 1854. He entered the Order on July 28, 1885 and took First Vows on July 29, 1889 and Final Vows on July 2, 1892. Brother Cuthbert was at Bathurst 1885-1888, Dubbo 1889-1890, Albury 1891, Goulburn 1892-1893, Bathurst 1894-1897, Ryde 1898-July 1900, Redfern August 1900-June 1901, Orange July 1901 until his passing, in his 68th year,  on  November 4, 1921.

Brother Boniface Carroll writes; ‘Brother Cuthbert Corbishley died at Orange, NSW on November 4, 1921. The deceased had been a long sufferer from Bright’s disease (a kidney disease), but only took to his bed a week prior to his death. Born of a well known Catholic family at Islington, Middlesex, England, 67 years ago, the deceased lost his parents at the age of four years and then went to reside with an uncle at Cockersand Abbey where he remained until he was 25 years of age. The late Monsignor Corbishley, President of Upshaw College, England and Rev. Father Corbishley were uncles.

John Corbishley went to Australia in 1884, purchased a farm in Queensland and in the following year joined our Brothers at Bathurst and was professed as a coadjutor Brother. For many years Brother Cuthbert taught a junior Class in our Primary schools and by his pious and blameless life had an immense influence for good over the youth committed to his care. He was a model Religious, exacting in his performance of all his duties and most charitable. In community life, he could not be excelled; he was gentle, kind, considerate and always endeavoured to please others and make them feel happy. Brother Cuthbert was admired by all classes of people for his humility and solid piety. His funeral cortege was one of the longest ever seen in Orange.’                                 

1885 Brother Anthony Vial (Goulburn). Little is known of Brother Anthony Vial; the records of Goulburn community being scant. He entered the Congregation in 1885, specific date unknown. He remained at Goulburn until some date in 1888 when he was transferred to Maitland, returning to Goulburn in 1889, Orange 1890, Ryde 1891, Goulburn 1892.

1887 Brother Aloysius Patrick O’Leary (Bathurst), entered in 1887. He taught at Orange in 1889, Bathurst/Dubbo 1890 and died in his 21st year at Bathurst, on May 9, 1890 after triennial vows.
1891 Brother Benedict O’Grady (Bathurst), was at Bathurst 1891-1892, Orange 1893, Bathurst 1894-1895.

1891 Brother Patrick O’Mahony (Bathurst), first appears in appointment record at Bathurst in 1893-1894, Ryde 1895, Redfern 1896, Ryde 1897-1898.

1894 Brother Alphonsus John Eviston (Bathurst), from William Street, Bathurst. Born on February 23, 1877, entered the Congregation on February 2, 1894, took First Vows on January 5, 1897 and Final Vows on June 30, 1902.  Brother John Eviston was the first fully professed Australian Patrician Brother.  He first appears in the appointment record at Albury in 1895, Redfern 1896, Goulburn/Redfern 1897, Goulburn/Ryde 1898, Ryde 1899, Redfern at Forest Lodge 1900-1902, Ryde/Redfern 1903, Ryde 1904, Orange 1905-1907, Orange/Redfern at Waterloo 1908, Redfern 1909-1910, Redfern at Waterloo 1911, Redfern at Forest Lodge 1912, Redfern 1913-1914, Orange 1915-1916, Redfern 1917, Redfern/Orange 1918-1919, Orange 1920-1922, Dubbo 1923, Dubbo/Forest Lodge 1924, Forest Lodge 1925-1927, Ryde 1928-1945, Redfern 1946, Wahroonga 1947-1953, Ryde 1954-1957. He was elected a delegate to the 1919 General Chapter.

Brother Alphonsus passed away in his 81st year on December 19, 1957.

1896 Brother Regis Hugh Kenny (Ryde), born at Haddington, Scotland on March 16, 1854. He entered the Congregation on July 16, 1896, took First Vows July 2, 1898, Final Vows July 4, 1903.

Brother Boniface Carroll records: ‘Brother Regis joined as a coadjutor Brother. He worked at Holy Cross College clearing away trees and attending the farm – very hard work and not always appreciated. He was always attentive to his religious duties, was pious and humble and had a solid devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and St. Joseph. In spite of many infirmities, he laboured until his last illness. He passed to his eternal reward, in his 59th year, on July 17, 1913.’

1897 Brother Xavier Corcoran (Redfern), Entered in 1897 at Redfern, Bathurst 1898-1900, Orange 1901.

1903 Brother Ignatius Peter Hannigan (Redfern), from ‘Kyoomba” Stanthorpe, Queensland. Born on July 4, 1886, entered on August 13, 1903, took First Vows December 19, 1905, Final Vows July 2, 1911. Recorded at Redfern 1904, Orange 1905, Redfern/Bathurst 1906, Redfern 1907-1909, Redfern/Ryde 1910, Ryde 1911-1912, Ryde/Bathurst 1913, Bathurst 1914-1916, Redfern/Bathurst 1917, Redfern at Forest Lodge 1918- 1919.

Brother Ignatius was a victim of the 1919 influenza epidemic that swept the world. He died at Lewisham Hospital, conducted by the Little Company of Mary, after an illness of ten days, in his 33nd year, on June 15, 1919.

1904 Brother Paul McDermott (Redfern). No other record

1904 Brother Francis O’Hara (Redfern). No other record

1904 Brother Robert McSweeney (Redfern). No other record

1904 Brother Aloysius Jeremiah Hannigan (Redfern) from Stanthorpe Queensland, born on June 16, 1889. Entered on September 23, 1904, took First Vows July 2, 1906, Final Vows July 2, 1911. Brother Aloysius was at Redfern 1906-1908, Redfern/Bathurst 1909, Orange 1910, Ryde/Bathurst 1911, Orange/Redfern at Forest Lodge 1912, Orange 1913-1914, Redfern at Forest Lodge 1915-1917, Redfern 1918, Orange 1919-1922, Redfern 1923-1927, Redfern at Waterloo 1928, Ryde 1929, Ryde/Wahroonga 1930, Wahroonga 1931-1938, Ryde 1939-1943, Forest Lodge 1944, Redfern 1945-1947, Ryde 1948-1954, Fairfield 1955-1957, Fairfield/Wahroonga 1958, Wahroonga 1959-1962, Wahroonga/Granville 1963, Redfern 1964.

Brother Paul O’Connor in his writings of the history of Holy Cross College, Ryde and, in particular, ‘The Term of Brother Aloysius Hannigan, 1948-1953’ records: ‘Brother Aloysius was an extraordinary man of impressive personality, wide social contacts and [of] a deeply religious character.

Brother Rodan Bergin writes; ‘He was Novice Master in Wahroonga for two periods, 1931-1938 and 1958-1963. He attended the General Chapter in Ireland in 1937. Brother Aloysius was a genuine Religious and gave a wonderful example of regularity to his duties even in his old age. He had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Passion of Our Lord. He made the Stations [of the Cross] several times a day in the years he was Novice Master and after he retired from active work. Our Lady was not neglected either, as he said the full Rosary almost every day for years.

‘Prior to his death, Brother Aloysius Hannigan and Brother Thomas Brennan were caretakers at St. Patrick’s Monastery, following the Brothers’ departure from Redfern. On July 1, 1964 Brother Aloysius collapsed at the Monastery and died [in his 76th year] within a few minutes. A large congregation of past pupils and friends including Mr J. Renshaw, MLA, Premier of NSW, attended the funeral.’

1905 Brother James O’Hara (Bathurst) Entered in 1905 at Bathurst, left in 1907.

1907 Brother Albin McMenamin (Redfern). No other record

1910 Brother Leonard Alphonsus Ryan, (Bathurst). Entered on November 1, 1910, received habit July 2, 1911. Brother Paul O’Connor records that he left that month.

1918 Brother Laurence James O’Connell (Orange). Entered on January 2, 1918, took First Vows June 22, 1919. Brother Laurence left that year. He was the first novice at “Croagh Patrick”.

1918 Brother Francis Allan McDermott (Orange), “Kinkora”, Kolifo, N.C.Line, Queensland. Born on  January 12, 1905. [‘Kolifo’ does not appear in the Australian Postcodes.] However, in his writings on ‘Croagh Patrick”, Orange, Brother Paul O’Connor records: ‘March 1918: Arrival of Allan McDermott, from MacKay (Qld).

Brother Francis McDermott entered on March 9, 1918, took First Vows July 4, 1923, Final Vows July 2, 1927.

Brother Francis first appears in the appointment listings at Bathurst from June 1923-1924, Orange/Forest Lodge 1925, Redfern 1926-1931, Redfern at Waterloo 1932-1938, Ryde 1939-1944.

Brother Paul O’Connor records: ‘Early in 1945 Brother Francis McDermott received a dispensation from his vows. For 20 years he had been perhaps the most useful Brother in the Province and his loss was keenly felt.’

Sadly, his destiny is unknown to the writer. If alive today he would have reached his century on this earth. In all probability he has been called to his Divine Master.

1919 Brother Joseph Daniel Tierney (Orange) from Byng Street, Orange. Born on May 24, 1901. He entered on February 2, 1919, took First Vows February 2, 1922, Final Vows  May 17, 1925.

Brother Joseph first appears in the appointments record at Orange 1919-1920, Orange/Redfern 1921, Redfern at Forest Lodge 1922, Forest Lodge 1923-24, Orange 1925, Forest Lodge 1926-1927, Redfern at Waterloo 1928-1931, Redfern 1932-1937, Ryde 1938, Redfern at Waterloo 1939-1941, Granville 1942-1947, Redfern 1948-1953, Liverpool/Wahroonga 1954, Wahroonga 1955-1956, Blacktown 1957-1969. He was a delegate to the General Chapter in 1956.

Brother Rodan Bergin wrote: ‘Brother Joseph was a model Religious, carefully carrying out the Rule to the spirit and the letter. He was a teacher who got the best out of his pupils. Brother Joseph, a member of the Blacktown Community, died at St. John of God Hospital, Burwood, NSW, in his 69th year, on June 7, 1969’.

1922 Brother Ignatius Albert John Barrett (Orange) “San Jose”, 71 Princes Highway, Dapto, NSW. Born  September 6, 1902, entered on July 5, 1922,  took First Vows June 21, 1923, Final Vows July 2, 1927. 

Brother Ignatius first appears in the appointment listings at Redfern 1924-1925, Redfern/Orange 1926, Ryde 1927, Redfern 1928-1929, Forest Lodge/Redfern 1930, Redfern at Waterloo 1931-1939, Ryde/Forest Lodge 1940, Ryde 1941-1943, Redfern at Waterloo 1944-1950, Forest Lodge 1951-1953, Fairfield/Liverpool 1954, Liverpool 1955-1962 [during 1954-1957 Brother Ignatius resided at Fairfield], Blacktown 1963-1968, Wahroonga 1969-1979.  Brother Ignatius visited Ireland in 1975

Brother Paul O’Connor records: ‘The Brothers came to Liverpool in 1954. Brother Ignatius Barrett succeeded the first Principal, Brother Joseph Tierney, who was forced to withdraw in April 1954 owing to ill-health. Brother Ignatius Barrett was to set the high standard of the school in scholastic, sporting and spiritual matters. He chose the school colours, the details of the boys’ uniform and the school crest. Brother Ignatius had a vigorous interest in cricket and this character building sport still has a large following in the school and among its alumni.

‘The first Community to live at Liverpool comprised Brothers Ignatius Barrett, Eugene Kelly and Callistus Keating. Brother Ignatius was to remain Superior until 1962.’

It is 65 years since Brother Ignatius Barrett arrived at Forest Lodge in May 1940 to conduct 4th Class in the new school on Woolley Street. He was at Forest Lodge to the end of that year, just over six months. Yet his features are imprinted in the writer’s mind - and in its recesses linger the sounds of his distinctive voice from the Australian bush. Brother Ignatius must have had some special attributes that instilled such a vivid recollection in the mind of a boy who reached his ninth birthday in the September of those months. KS.

Brother Ignatius passed to his eternal reward, in his 77th year at Wahroonga, on March 4, 1979.

1923 Brother Vincent Desmond Fordham (Orange), Left in 1927.

1923 Brother Laurence Robert Davies (Orange). Recorded at Orange in 1926. Brother Paul O’Connor records that he was granted dispensation from vows in February 1926.

1924 John Holton (Orange). He entered as a postulant and was dismissed as ‘unsuitable’. Brother Paul O’Connor (RIP) records: ‘The following information relevant to his dismissal is vouched for by Brother Ignatius Barrett.

‘At “Croagh Patrick’” there was a large mongrel dog about as big as a large Dalmation, quite lean and hence displaying prominent ribs. ‘Jack’ Holton painted this dog with a broad green stripe the whole length of its backbone and tail, with a yellow stripe on each rib. The dog then met the Superior, Brother Celsus (Daly), in the main street of Orange and jumped up on him to show his affection. On his return to the novitiate Brother Celsus interviewed Holton and dismissed him.’

1925 William Jeffcott (Orange) entered as a postulant. In the June he returned to his parents.

1925 Brother Gerard Harry Brown (Orange), Recorded at Orange 1925-1927.

1926 Brother Malachy John Shanahan (Orange) Recorded at Orange 1926-1927.

1926 Brother Columba Curran (Orange) from Ireland, professed 1928, First appears in appointment records as novice at Orange 1926-1927, Forest Lodge 1928, Redfern at Waterloo 1929, Forest Lodge 1930, Redfern at Waterloo 1931.  

1930 Brother Paul John O’Connor (Wahroonga), from Bankstown, NSW. Born February 27, 1917. Entered on February 2, 1930, Brother Paul took his First Vows on February 3, 1936 and his Final Vows on February 3, 1939.

He taught at Ryde 1938, returning to Wahroonga 1939-1941, Ryde/Redfern 1942, Redfern 1943, Forest Lodge 1944, Ryde 1945-1951, Granville 1952, Ryde 1953-1965, Wahroonga 1966-1971, Liverpool 1972-1973, Fairfield 1974-1982 when he retired from teaching. Brother Paul remained a member of the Fairfield Community to his passing in 1993.

Brother Paul O’Connor undertook the research of the history of the Patrician Brothers in Australia at the behest of the then Provincial, Brother Patrick Lovegrove. It is a monumental work covering the years 1883-1968 together with the appointments of the Brothers 1883-1972. Most of the historical detail in The Green Sash is attributable to the writings of Brother Paul O’Connor.

Brother Mark Ryan first met Brother Paul when he was a boarder in sixth class at Holy Cross in 1945. He wrote: ‘Brother Paul was obviously a scholar but showed glimpses of the man within – he was passionately interested in sport, loved a song, had a whimsical sense of humour and liked card games, chess and even draughts.

‘I discovered and respected his love of the discipline that good honest study bestows on the developing mind. He always urged students to greater effort, in fact considered his duty to do so.

‘Paul was a wonderful resource person. He was also a bit of a bower bird. All his students have their favourite story and mine refers to his habit of carrying all sorts of things in his pockets. In fact a friend and I kept an ‘in’ and ‘out’ list and would often estimate what he was carrying. I recall standing outside the College waiting for a tram to take us to the Sydney Cricket Ground for the Metropolitan Catholic Colleges athletics when a small student declared he had no running shorts. Paul produced a pair from somewhere and asked, ‘Will these fit?’

‘His father, Henry William O’Connor, was an electrician with the NSW Government Railways. Paul attended school at St. Joseph’s Bankstown and later at the Patrician Brothers at Redfern. When he was 13 he went to the Brothers’ Juniorate at Wahroonga to complete his schooling. After postulancy and novitiate Paul attended Sydney University where he came first in Latin while studying for his BA. He later attended the Sydney Teachers College for Dip. Ed. studies. He found University stimulating and exciting.

‘Paul spent many of his teaching years at Holy Cross. The demands on time and energy in a boarding school are very different to those made of teachers in a day school. Paul took on many roles over and above that of teaching. The work was hard.

 ‘In 1974, Paul came to the Fairfield community. It was here he finished teaching in 1982, although he would take small groups for Maths from years 11 and 12. He said he needed the mental stimulation. But many a student would have blessed Paul for his generosity.

‘In these latter days Paul was a very active cricket coach.  This was appreciated by the students and they became very keen. It is recalled that a small boy knocked at the door one day and asked the housekeeper ‘Can Brother Paul come out to play?’

Brother Paul O’Connor passed away at Fairfield, in his 77th year, on August 5, 1993.

1931 Brother Patrick Joseph Hume (Wahroonga), entered on February 2, 1931, took  First Vows on  February 3, 1936, Final Vows on February 3, 1939. First recorded at Wahroonga in 1935-1937, Ryde/Wahroonga 1938, Ryde 1939-1940, Redfern 1941, Redfern at Waterloo 1942-1943, Redfern 1944.

1931 Brother Louis John Murphy (Wahroonga), entered on March 19, 1931, took First Vows on February 3, 1936, Final Vows, February 3, 1939. First recorded at Wahroonga in 1935-1937, Redfern 1938, Wahroonga 1939-1940, Ryde 1941, Redfern/Redfern at Waterloo 1942, Redfern at Waterloo 1943..  

1931 Brother Gabriel Lourey (Wahroonga), entered 1931, professed February 3, 1936. Brother Gabriel’s year of entry is not recorded. It is based on the year of taking his First Vows. First recorded at Wahroonga in 1935-1937, Ryde 1938, Wahroonga 1939.
.
1933 Brother Xavier Darcy McGovern (Wahroonga), entered on August 15, 1933, took First Vows March 2, 1939, Final Vows March 2, 1942. Recorded at Wahroonga 1938, Redfern 1939-1940, Redfern/Wahroonga 1941, Redfern at Waterloo 1942, Redfern 1943, Redfern at Waterloo 1944, R, Redfern at Waterloo 1945-1950, Ryde 1951-1952.  

1933 Brother Vincent Leo Budin (Wahroonga), entered on December 8, 1933, took First Vows March 2, 1939, Final Vows February 4, 1943. He is first recorded at Wahroonga in 1938, Redfern 1939-1940, Redfern at Waterloo 1941 Granville 1942-to May 1943, Wahroonga remainder 1943, Wahroonga/Granville 1944, Granville 1945.

1934 Brother Gerard Maurice Histon (Wahroonga), entered on May 24, 1934, took First Vows March 2, 1939, Final Vows March 2, 1942. First recorded at Wahroonga 1938, Redfern 1939, Redfern at Waterloo 1940-1941, Granville 1942-1951, Blacktown 1952-1953, Ryde 1954-1955, Forest Lodge 1956-1958, Wahroonga 1959, Granville 1960-1961, Blacktown 1962, Sefton 1963-1964, Fairfield 1965-1967, Forest Lodge 1968, Fairfield 1969-1989, Blacktown 1990 to the present.

1937 Brother John James Thompson (Wahroonga) “Lynvalle”, Boorowa, NSW, born November 11, 1918, entered February 2, 1937, aged 19 years, First Vows February 4, 1940, Final Vows February 4, 1943. At Wahroonga 1939-1942, Granville 1943-1950, Redfern at Waterloo 1951, Granville at Blacktown 1952-1954, Fairfield 1955, Ryde 1956-1957, Granville 1958-1959, Ryde 1960-1971. Died at Ryde in his 73rd year on January 1, 1991.

1938 Brother Peter Charles Johnson (Wahroonga) Marrickville, NSW, born March 2, 1917, entered on August 28, 1938, aged 21 years, First Vows February 4, 1940, Final Vows February 4, 1943. At Wahroonga 1939-May 1943, Granville remainder 1943, Wahroonga 1944-1952, Fairfield 1953-1958, Ryde 1959, Granville 1960-1962, Blacktown 1963-1968. Died at Blacktown in his 52nd year on May 28, 1968.

1938 Brother Pascal Hardman (Wahroonga). He is recorded at Wahroonga in 1938. No other record.

In memory of the departed.
Requiescant in Pace.

The above text covers the history of those who entered the Congregation in NSW from 1885 to 1938. World War II meant that no Brothers could arrive from Ireland. Coincidentally, there were no further entrants to the Australian novitiate until 1947. A goodly number then swelled the ranks and their contribution to the history will continue in the September issue.

This issue will arrive in the cold month of July with the August winds to follow with the promise of the coming Spring and the new awakening in our hemisphere.  We desperately need rain, so this Irish Blessing is appropriate:

May the road rise to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
may the sun shine warmly on your face
and the rains fall soft upon your fields
and, until we meet again,
may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.