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July, 2003 - Volume 10 Issue 3 |
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July, 2003 - Volume 10 Issue 3 |
Table of Contents Father Lester Gerald Cashen OAM, PP (RIP) July 17, 1925 - April 12, 2003 It is with deep sadness we record the passing of our patron, Father Lester Gerald Cashen, Parish Priest of Forest Lodge and Pyrmont, former Rector of St. John’s College, Sydney University and Parish Priest of Lane Cove. A Requiem Mass for the repose of Fr. Cashen’s soul was concelebrated by His Grace, Archbishop George Pell, DD, Bishops and Priests, at St. James’ Church, Forest Lodge on April 16 last. Office bearers of our Association, past and present, joined with His Grace, fellow clergy, parishioners and friends in farewelling Fr. Cashen; ‘priest, scholar, protagonist and friend.’ “Father Les was a man of wisdom and vision, and a gentle and caring pastor.” Requiescat in pace Early notice is given of the Luncheon. We look forward to a large attendance to celebrate 120 years since the arrival of the first Patrician Brothers in Australia We also celebrate the opening of St. Vincent de Paul, Redfern church-school in the then parish of Waterloo in 1886 from which the other schools sprang; St. James, Forest Lodge in 1892 and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Waterloo in 1908 and commemorate their closures; Redfern and Waterloo in 1963 and Forest Lodge in 1967. It is an opportunity to meet with the Brothers and also to call to mind those Patricians who taught in the Inner Sydney Schools from 1886 to 1967. A number of those Brothers are still with us and will be there. The Luncheon is to be held at The Catholic Club, Castlereagh St., Sydney, located between Bathurst and Park Streets, on Sunday, October 12, 2003 at Noon for 1:00pm The Catholic Club is convenient for those using rail or bus. Others choosing to travel by car will find the Goulburn Street parking station only 200 metres away. Your passengers may be dropped at the door of the Club before proceeding to the parking station. The buffet luncheon will be held in the auditorium on the ground floor. Bar facilities are available within the auditorium. The Committee is confident the buffet selected will be most satisfactory. Booking details will appear in the September issue of The Green Sash. Tenth Provincial 1956-1968
Brother Paul O’Connor records: “On October 15, 1956, the Brothers received word of the Australian Provincial appointments. Brother Rodan Bergin was appointed Provincial. This was unique, as Brother Rodan was a member of the Irish Province, but he had been in Australia previously (1932-1950) and the Brothers in Australia had recommended him. The Council consisted of Brothers Norbert Phelan, Joseph Tierney, Gerard Histon and Serenus Quann with Brother Cyril Boland as Bursar. “When Brother Norbert Phelan returned he presided at two Council meetings before Brother Rodan arrived on December 13, 1956, accompanied by two scholastics, Brother Richard Doheny and Brother Bartholomew Gaffney.” Brother Rodan Timothy Bergin, son of Joseph and Ann Bergin, nee Delaney, of Moatfield, Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, was born on March 14, 1909. He entered the Congregation on February 22, 1924. He took his First Profession of Vows on May 8, 1926 and Perpetual Vows at Easter 1930. This record, inserted in pencil, in Brother Rodan’s own hand, appears on p.188 of the Ryde Annals. The writer, as were a number of others, was taught by Brother Rodan from 5th Class in 1941 through to the Intermediate in 1945 and in September 1987 visited Brother Rodan at Mount St. Joseph, Tullow. This visit led to correspondence with Brother Rodan. There is no doubt, in the writer’s mind, that the entry was made by him. The information differs from that shown from other sources, e.g., date and place of birth, March 24, 1909 at Gurteen, Co. Tipperary; date of entry, May 7, 1925 and Final Vows May 28, 1930. It may be that Gurteen truly was his birth place however reference to the General Alphabetical Index to Townlands and Towns of Ireland based on the Census of 1851 reveals the following: Survey
Sadly, townland maps are not generally available in our libraries. Reference to the writer’s Glovebox Atlas of Ireland identifies Lorrha but not Gurteen. Lorrha lies, as the crow flies, some 21 kilometres north of the town of Borrisokane. But the answer seems to lie within the writer’s copy of IRISH RECORDS: Sources for Family & Local History by James G. Ryan Ph.D. which lists under the Civil Parish of Lorrha the Roman Catholic Parish of Lorrha and Dorrha. The R.C. parish address is shown as Lorrha, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. The accompanying map showed map references 2 [Gurteen] and 5 [Gurteen] having a common boundary as has map references 4 [Lorrha] and 5 [Gurteen]. So it seems that both sources are correct, one perhaps being more precise. Certainly Lorrha is more definitive, however ‘Moatfield’ does not appear in the General Alphabetical Listing to Townlands and Towns of Ireland. Perhaps one of our Irish readers may advise us further on Gurteen/Lorrha. The address shown by Brother Rodan was that of his parents at the date of entering the Congregation. In respect to the other disparities; date of birth, dates of entry and Final Vows, the writer is inclined to accept those entered by Brother Rodan. Reference to A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland by Samuel Lewis provides some interesting information: “Lorha or Lorragh, a parish, in the barony of Lower Ormond, County of Tipperary and province of Munster, 8 _ miles (w.) of Parsontown on the road to Portumna, This place was anciently distinguished for its religious establishments, the earliest of which was an abbey for canons regular, founded by St. Ruadan who presided here over 150 monks and died in 584.” Further on: “The hand of St. Ruadan was preserved in a silver case in this abbey until its suppression.” Is Rodan the Gaelic pronunciation of Ruadan? If so, it may strengthen Lorrha as Brother Rodan’s birthplace. From 1928 to 1932 Brother Rodan was at the Mallow Academy in Co. Cork. He arrived at Sydney, NSW on May 10, 1932 and joined the Redfern Community at St. Patrick’s monastery teaching at Mount Carmel, Waterloo. In 1938 Brother Rodan joined the Forest Lodge Community at Blessed Oliver Plunkett monastery where he was Superior and Principal 1944-1950. The Irish record shows the following: 1932 (June) - 1937 Redfern at Mount Carmel
There appears to be anomalies in the record immediately above, but there are explanations. The record seems to relate to school years/terms. While Brother Rodan arrived on May 10, 1932, probably it was at the commencement of the May school holidays of perhaps three weeks. There is an oversight in 1944 in not recording that Brother Rodan was appointed Superior and school Principal following Brother Norbert Phelan’s transfer to Ryde. In May 1946 Brother Rodan accompanied Brother Austin O’Connell and Brother Oliver Healy as a delegate to the General Chapter. He stayed for a full year, returning June 1947; Brother Norbert was Superior and Principal at Forest Lodge during his absence. In April 1950, Brother Rodan sailed again to represent the Province at the General Chapter and was retained in Ireland as Assistant General at Tullow, Co. Carlow until his appointment in 1956 as Provincial of the Australian Province. Brother Rodan’s return to Sydney on December 13, 1956 is recorded as 1957; again relative to a school year, but the entry should include ‘Provincial’ But there are other entries of interest! Did Brother Rodan, while Provincial, teach at Granville in 1958 and 1966? You will note there is a query regarding Granville. Brother Paul O’Connor records Brother Rodan residing at Wahroonga and teaching at Granville in 1958; at Blacktown in 1966 with Brother Bernard Bulfin, Principal. Was he Principal at Fairfield in 1967? Brother Paul O’Connor records Brother Rodan at Fairfield with Brother Charles Barry, Principal. But what of the reference, ‘”See [Brother] G[erald] Egan for 1962/3 info”? Again we turn to Brother Paul O’Connor’s records; Brother Rodan does not appear in those years. It was six years since his appointment as Provincial. Did Brother Rodan attend the General Chapter in Ireland during this time? The memorial to Brother Vianney Thomas Foyle (RIP) records that in 1962 he was Acting Provincial for a period of six months. Therefore it follows that Brother Rodan was absent during that undefined period, perhaps May to November 1962. No mention of Brother Rodan’s absence; of a General Chapter or of the delegates is made in Brother Paul’s record. Brother Paul O’Connor writes of Brother Rodan’s provincial-ship: “Brother Rodan established an immediate rapport with the Brothers, with the clergy and with other Congregations. He combined a friendly, sociable disposition with forcefulness of character, ability in public speaking and firmness in insisting on regularity and efficiency. His experience and natural ability made him a suitable leader of the Brothers. He was approachable and a good listener and his unfailing courtesy made him generally acceptable to the Brothers. “On assuming office Brother Rodan visited the houses and reported that the Rule was well observed. He took up residence at Wahroonga and made the novitiate and juniorate his chief concern. He inaugurated a scheme of training for scholastics which was more thorough than had ever been the case in Australia. He did much for the welfare of the Brothers generally and for the rapidly expanding schools. His life was saddened by some defections and his failing health, but when he returned to Ireland he could look back on a term of progress which saw a large increase in the number of Patrician Brothers in Australia.” In 1959 there were changes to the Council, and again in 1962 and 1965. “The extent of the changes in the Council may be seen at a glance as set out in the table below: 1956 Brothers Norbert Phelan, Joseph Tierney, Gerard Histon, Serenus
Quann. Cyril Boland
“Change was the keynote of this decade, which saw the Second Vatican Council and a radical revision of our Constitutions. Such words and phrases as ‘renewal’, ‘adaptation’, and ‘update’ became the order of the day. The decree ‘Perfectae Caritatis’ and other documents and writings had an immediate and lasting effect. It was not simply the introduction of white soutanes (in 1965) and community dialogue, but new emphases on personal responsibility, charity and relations with secular society that profoundly affected the Brothers. Such traditional ideas as that of blind obedience and the desirability of withdrawing from the world as expounded by traditional writers were more than questioned; they were largely abandoned. The almost limitless authority of Superiors was also shaken, and the works of a new group of writers on the religious life were eagerly read. It took some years to implement the new ideas - especially in that of dialogue - and some clung to the past in spite of the liberal councils of the good Pope John and the decrees of Vatican II. Particularly for the younger Brothers a new era had begun, and they discussed changes in the Church, in the liturgy, in catechetics and in the religious life with an enthusiasm which had no previous counterpart in previous years.” “The following Brothers arrived from Ireland: 1957 Brothers Aengus Kavanagh, Basil Joseph Byrne, Aemilian Larkin.
“The following novices were received: 1958 Brothers Philip Mulhall, Michael Dunn, Dominic Coates.
“During this period five elderly Brothers died: Brother Alphonsus Eviston Ryde December 19,
1957
“The following Brothers were granted holidays in Ireland: 1957 Brothers John Gallagher, Aloysius
Delaney.
“The following Brothers left the Congregation: 1959 Brother Michael Dunn (Novice).
“The future of our house at Wahroonga was undecided for most of this era. As late as 1967 it was the intention of the Provincial Council to build a scholasticate at Ryde, but to maintain the school for junior [Brothers] at Wahroonga. One important decision was made - to transfer the novitiate to Narellan. The implementation of the Wyndham report also made the future of the juniorate (juvenate) insecure, as an enrolment of 25 was needed to secure registration under the Bursary Endowment Board. This difficulty was met in 1967 by combining with the Passionist Fathers’ juniorate at St. Ives. Brother Rodan was opposed to sending juniors to Holy Cross College. “Holy Cross College had a remarkable growth during this period. Brother John Gallagher was in charge in 1956, Brother Norbert Phelan 1957-59, Brother John Gallagher again 1960-65 and Brother Patrick Lovegrove 1966-68. “The main material signs of progress were the opening of Borremeo [primary] School in 1958, the college Chapel in 1960, the construction of Cressy Road oval in 1960 and Frank Street oval a few years later, the opening of new classrooms and science block in 1962, the opening of the Delany Wing in 1966, additions to the southern side of the old building in 1967 and the construction of a new Tuck Shop in 1968. “In this period the roll-call more than doubled. In 1955 it had been 235. In 1967 it was about 700. Enrolment increased particularly after the college became a regional school in 1964.” New houses were opened at Sefton, Narellan and Aitape. “The school at Sefton operated for four years, 1961-1964. 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 and a special contract for conducting the school was signed. The school commenced with Fourth and Fifth Classes and increased by one Class each year. The Superior was Brother Celestine Mulhall with the first Community members, Brothers Eugene Kelly and Cyril Boland. The school was closed on December 17, 1964 in a general rationalization and reorganization of Catholic schools conducted by the Catholic Education Office in view of the Wyndham Report. In the short time of their stay in Sefton the Brothers did useful work and obtained hearty support from the parishioners. “The purchase of the Narellan property was announced by Brother Rodan on February 3, 1963. It contained 25 acres, an old bungalow, a modern cottage and several outhouses. The original intention was to use the property for a novitiate temporally, then to convert it to a juvenate. The new house was blessed and opened by Rev. T. McCabe, Bishop of Wollongong on May 4, 1963. Next day Brother Malachy Corbett was appointed Superior and Novice Master with Brother Norbert Phelan first assistant. The Brothers took up residence on May 19 following; the first novices being Brothers Raymund Eves, Chrysostem Quinn and Anthony Innis. “In August 1964, the Provincial Council decided to extend the buildings by a chapel, dormitory and a study block. Funds were allocated from the sale of Redfern monastery. The additions were blessed by Bishop McCabe on March 13, 1966. This was a beautiful property, but the farm work was rather onerous when the number of novices was small. “In the past several invitations to open a mission school at Aitape had been turned down. For years Bishop Doggett, ofm, a past pupil of Holy Cross College had urged us to come to Aitape. In 1967 the bishop obtained a promise from the Superior General [Brother Francis Redman] then visiting the Province that we would conduct his school, which was already operating. Brother Patrick Lovegrove was sent to Aitape to report on conditions. Twenty-one Brothers volunteered to serve on the mission. Brother Charles Barry and Brother Gabriel McCluskie were appointed and at a special ceremony at Holy Cross College on December 17, 1968 [1967?] mission crosses were presented to them by Monsignor Maguire, P.P., V.A., on behalf of Cardinal Gilroy. The Brothers left for New Guinea on January 23, 1968.” The demographic changes to the inner-city suburbs caused by the movement of families to the newly developed western and south-western suburbs demanded an appraisal firstly of the schools at Redfern and Waterloo. “At a [Provincial] Council meeting on December 19, 1963, Brother Rodan announced the closing of the Mount Carmel, Waterloo school. This had been agreed by Bishop Carroll and the parish priest of Mount Carmel, Father Malone, who regretted the closure but agreed that the enrolment did not warrant a continuation of the Brothers there. “Enrolment at Redfern had declined to 47 in 1961 and the school was closed at the end of 1963. The Provincial Council decided to sell the monastery in 1964 and the necessary permissions from Ireland and Rome were obtained. Brother Aloysius Hannigan died at Redfern on July 1, 1964, while he and Brother Thomas Brennan were acting as caretakers. Brother Norbert Phelan took Brother Aloysius’ place as caretaker until the monastery was closed on October 3, 1964.” “This period saw the decline and extinction of the historic Forest Lodge school. There was a small but declining secondary school until 1964. The primary department was also closed at the end of 1967, but the Brothers were permitted to use the monastery (parish property) as a house for university studies the following year. It was decided to house scholastics at Forest Lodge during their University studies in 1966, and the house proved to be convenient for this purpose for three years. Father F. X. Roberts, P.P., was most helpful to the Brothers.” The schools at Granville, Blacktown, Liverpool and Fairfield went through a period of continuing growth. A monastery was built at Liverpool in 1958 and a new monastery at Granville in 1961. The period was one of improvement in the grounds and the construction of classrooms and amenities at these schools. An example of the expansion appears in the Fairfield record shown below: 1956 512 pupils Five Brothers Two Full-time Lay staff
Most of us recall the Brothers in the black soutane with the green sash. In the intense heat of a Sydney summer wearing a lined serge soutane with clerical collar would have been most uncomfortable. “Permission was obtained from the [Irish] regime for white soutanes
in 1965. They were first worn by the Brothers generally in November that
year with white trousers and socks. We were the first teaching Brothers
to wear white soutanes in Sydney and were complimented by several members
of other congregations for pioneering in this field”
At the General Chapter, Brother Rodan was appointed Assistant General at Mount St. Joseph, Tullow, Co. Carlow until 1974. He remained a member of the Mount St. Joseph Community until his death. In memory of all the departed mentioned in the above.
(The above is drawn from the writings of Brother Paul O’Connor (RIP),
and references to the CENSUS OF IRELAND - General Alphabetical Index to
the Townlands and Towns, Parishes, and Baronies of Ireland - 1851 and A
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland by Samuel Lewis, held in the State
Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney.)
We have written of Brother Rodan’s endeavours but the beautifully written
memorial, reproduced below, gives a complete insight into the character
and spirit of a remarkable Patrician.
On a personal note, Brother Rodan’s remarkable talent as a choirmaster is not mentioned in the foregoing. The writer was a member of the choir during the seven odd years of attendance at Forest Lodge. Year after year Brother Rodan produced an outstanding choir. His choice
of songs was but one of the keys to his success; Irish ballads, Neapolitan
folk, and operetta airs such as ‘The Minstrel Boy’, “The Harp that once
through Tara’s Halls”, ‘Santa Lucia’ (sung in Italian), ‘The Sergeant-Major
on Parade’, ‘Vienna, City of my dreams’ are some that come to mind.
A recent e-mail provided further information on Brother Aloysius. We
know you will enjoy the reading.
We extend our thanks to Bernie Richardson for this further insight of a much loved Patrician 26.11.1907-08.05.2003 Alumnus of St. Vincent’s, Redfern; honoured by his country and Papal Knight ? Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. An outstanding student, “Cecil Baz, a pupil of the Patrician Brothers’, Redfern, secured first prize, with 10 pounds and gold medal, in the recent Diocesan Examination.” [Catholic Press, February 21, 1924] We join with Cecil’s family in mourning his passing. Requiescat in pace. In our last issue we featured a photo of the members of the Official Party at the Forest Lodge CYO Debutantes’ Ball, 1951. The very attractive young lady in the white frock was Miss Patricia Stenning, now Mrs. Patricia Doyle. We extend our sincere apologies. Many calls were received and we are most grateful for the interest of all who so promptly drew the error to our attention. Brother Philip Mulhall S.G.  Enclosed with a letter from Les Miller, alumnus of Mount Carmel, Waterloo was a photo of a young Brother Philip Mulhall taken in 1962 at the Mount Carmel parish picnic at Lane Cove National Park. Les added a footnote to his letter. “Wholly set up and scribbled at
Macquarie Fields.” A good one, Les!
Father John Knight, PP, has kindly passed to us a copy of the Decree raising the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to a Shrine and of the notice of Inauguration which took place on Sunday, June 8, 2002. We take pleasure in publishing the Decree for the information of all.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is in an inspiring position and
will surprise all who visit. The Shrine stands as the Church was built
and opened in 1861. The Click the icon to read the "Catholic Weeekly" account. The 343 bus from Central Station (Elizabeth Street) takes only a ten
minute journey. Mass times can be obtained by phoning 9698 2869.
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This
photo of Brother Rodan, aged 31 years, was taken at St. James’, Forest
Lodge in May 1940 at the opening of the new boys’ school. It has been digitally
reproduced from the photo of Fifth Class. It was the only 1940 Class photo
in which a Brother appeared. Brother Norbert Phelan, Provincial, accompanied
by Brother Vianney Foyle and Brother Joseph Tierney, all delegates to the
General Chapter, sailed for Ireland on February 1, 1956, leaving Brother
John Gallagher as Acting Provincial.
Bro.
Rodan Timothy Bergin died peacefully in his room at Mount St. Joseph, Tullow,
on Sunday, June 10, 1990. He was in his 82nd year.
“I
was particularly pleased to find an article on Brother Aloysius Hannigan
in your May issue. Aloysius was a much loved member of the Wahroonga community
during my time there and I should also point out that he spent at least
three years at Fairfield during the 50s.
BY
THIS DECREE, The temporal goods associated with the Shrine are the temporal
goods of the juridic person of the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
Waterloo and any offerings associated with the Shrine in excess of the
needs of the Parish are to be attributed to works of charity.