We look forward to a large attendance at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Kellett St., Waterloo. We have brought forward this edition to remind you of the Mass on May 27.

It is a time to meet with friends of your youth and join together in offering the Mass to give thanks and remember the priests who, throughout our lives, have celebrated the Mass and administered the Sacraments, the Sisters and Brothers of the Congregations who educated us and instilled our faith, our parents who gave us life and love and our families with whom we share these gifts.

How many in this vast city of Sydney have such an opportunity? We are fortunate indeed!

We compliment those who assisted by bringing a plate for morning tea on the last occasion. We look to your help once again. Our sincere thanks in advance.

Recently we have received from our readers some very interesting photographs which we have had reproduced. They appear in later pages of this issue.

Maria Fisher, daughter of Sid Flynn (RIP), alumnus of Mount Carmel, Waterloo, supplied the photos of Mount Carmel teams that competed in the Australian Holy Catholic Guild Rugby League Competition in 1921 and 1922. No doubt the team members were alumni of Patrician Brothersâ Waterloo. Included in the photos are Father Geer of Mount Carmel and Brother Austin OâConnell and Brother Albert Small.

The other photo comes from the doyen of our alumni, Frank Corless, alumnus of St. Vincentâs Redfern. Frank, in his 95th year, and his dear wife, Eileen live at Gerringong and correspond regularly with the writer. During their more active years Frank and Eileen were tireless workers for the Patricians. Many may recall Frank as MC at the annual St. Patrickâs Day concert at the Sydney Town Hall. Frankâs photo includes Brothers Thomas Brennan, Joseph Tierney, Cyril Boland, Oliver Healy and Nicholas Duffy. From our own collection, we include Brother Rodan Bergin.

We thank Maria, Frank and Eileen for their kindness in entrusting the originals for reproduction. From the viewpoint of the history of the Patrician Brothers in Australia, the photographs are priceless and add to the Provinceâs archival collection.

It is our hope to match a photo of each Brother to a short biographical note as a record of the Patricians in Australia. The loan of photographs for reproduction, particularly of Brothers of the early years, would be most appreciated. Kevin Scottâs address and phone number appear at the foot of the last page. Please feel free to call Kevin at any time.

In the Îfifties and Îsixties our next door neighbour at Glebe was first the family Gilardino from Milan and then the family Bivona from Sicily and fine neighbours they were too! Their Christmas card salutation was, in the Italian manner, to ÎLa famiglia Scottâ, from ÎLa famiglia Gilardino/Bivonaâ. Since that time, I have adopted the Italian format of Îfamily Scottâ rather than ÎScott familyâ.  To my ear, it gives a softer and more beautiful flow to our language.  So, our salutations to:

THE FAMILY GRIFFITHS

The family came to Robinson Street, Eastlakes in 1903. The area was then known as North Botany, later as Mascot and then Eastlakes. 

Morris Robert Griffiths [1891-1954] and Margaret Alice Young [1893-1967] married in 1914 and raised their ten children in Robinson Street. James and Bernadette, brother and sister and next door neighbours, still reside in that same street today. 

The children received their initial education from the Sisters of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. The first-born, Morris Roy commenced his schooling at St. Bernardâs convent school 1922-1929 [died 1999, aged 83]; then followed Patrick Dowling 1923-1929, Thelma Doreen [Gilbert] 1925-1934 [died 1968, aged 50], Ellen Maude 1927-1934 [died 1934, aged 12], Vincent Paul 1929-1934 [died 1997 aged 73], Margaret Mary [Fordward] 1931-1940, James William 1933-1937, John Bernard 1935-1939, Bernadette May [Farrugia] 1936-1947. Patrick was named after Father Patrick Dowling, first diocesan parish priest of St. Bernardâs 1907-1917. The family worshipped at St. Bernardâs.

The youngest, Joseph Anthony, commenced his schooling at the new infantsâ school at the site of St. Thereseâs in Sutherland Street, Mascot on January 28, 1940. The new church was blessed and opened ten months later, on November 24. Joseph proceeded to St. Bernardâs 1945-1946. All ten children had now passed through the gates of St. Bernardâs convent school.

The Patrician Brothers educated five of the six brothers from 1930 through to 1946. In 1930, Morris and Patrick led the way to St Vincentâs, Redfern. Morris left in 1932 and Patrick in 1933; then came Vincent 1935-1938, James 1938-1944 and John 1940-1946. 

The boys travelled by the Daceyville tram that ran along Gardeners and Botany Roads to the City, alighting at Redfern. However, the youngest, Joseph, stayed on the tram and attended St Maryâs Cathedral School, Sydney 1947-1949. 

To raise a large family and provide all with a Catholic education, through some of the most difficult years in our nationâs history, was a magnificent achievement.

Morris and Margaret Griffiths had every reason to be very proud of their family.
 
 

On the September 8, 1860, the remarkable Father Michael Corish, OSB, of St. Benedictâs laid the foundation stone of a church at Botany Bay. The site could be seen from Mount Carmel, Waterloo.  The church was to be dedicated to St. Bernard who had a great devotion to Our Lady. The hill on which it was built was to be called Mount St. Bernard. 

The parish was established in 1885 under the name of Botany in the care of the Missionarius Sacratissimi Cordis ö Missionaries of the Most Sacred Heart - and the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. In 1907 the parish passed to the care of diocesan priests.

In 1911, the name of the area and parish was changed to Mascot. In 1940 a new church, St Thereseâs was built on land in Sutherland St. Mascot and, in 1955, St. Bernardâs, on Botany Road at the Southern Cross Drive crossing, was resumed for airport extensions [the east-west runway] and later rebuilt in Ramsgate St. Botany. In 1972, the Church of St. Therese was completed with Sanctuary. 

The history of the Mascot/Botany parish records a remarkable number of vocations 1885-1985. Nine alumnae entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart; four entered the Sisters of Mercy and one the Sisters of Charity. Seven alumni entered the priesthood, of whom three entered the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Four entered the Marist Brothers; one became a Brother of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and another entered the Patrician Brothers. 

The Patrician is identified in the history as Eddie Olsen, known to us as Brother Benedict Olsen, alumnus of Redfern. As a boy, Brother Benedict passed through the gates of St. Bernardâs convent school and later, perhaps, he also travelled by tram along Botany Road, alighting at Redfern. 
[ÎThe Parish That Changedâ. Mascot ö Botany 1885-1985].

Mary and Margaret Crosbie, aged 19 and 17 respectively, general servants of Elphin, Co. Roscommon arrived on the Strathleven on 27 October 1879. Though both could read and write, for reasons unknown, they changed the spelling of their surname to Crosby. Both sisters married; Mary to Matthew McNally and Margaret to Peter Higgins. Their eldest sons, in turn, married sisters; my aunts, Zita and Agnes Scott. Arthur and Zita McNally married in 1923 and had three children, Aileen and Desmond (twins) and Brian. John and Agnes Higgins married in 1938 and had one child, Peter, who died in infancy, leaving no issue.

Recently I had been seeking, without success, the record of the marriage of Peter Higgins and Margaret Crosby. All I knew of Peter Higgins was that he had lived in the Darlington/Redfern area. In the history of Mascot/Botany is listed the first baptisms and marriages in the parish. Reading idly through the lists, to my surprise, I found the following entry; Peter HIGGINS of Darlington and Maggie CROSBY of Randwick, married on September 9, 1888. Celebrant, Father Emile Merg, MSC.  Eureka! 
 

The photograph of the above group appeared in THE GREEN SASH, Volume 2 Issue 4, September 1995. At the time we were unable to identify all the pupils. The names shown in italics complete the record. Our thanks to Pat Casey, who provided the original photo back in 1995 and Don Ritchie for completing this historical record in April 2001. Regrettably we are unable to reproduce the photo at this time. 

Maurie Moroney, Bob Straker, Pat Casey and Don Ritchie are on our mailing list. We are aware of the passings of Bill Cummins, Jim Gillfeather, Frank Walsh and Keith Stedman. 

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The pen pictures we have put on paper, in the following pages, have been drawn from The Freemanâs Journal, Patrician Annals, Patrician Memorials, ÎThe First Hundred Years ö The Patrician Brothers in Australiaâ, handwritten biographies (author unknown) and Irish/Australian appointment records. 

We regret that in some cases the details are brief; however it is our desire to acquaint you with the lives of Father Geer and the Patricians featured in the photographs. We hope that our effort prompts your own individual memories

Back Row:  J. McGoldrick (Trainer)  F. Judge  F. Harrison (Referee)  J. Rayner  F.  Flanagan (Trainer)
3rd Row:     S. Flynn  L. Robinson  L..Atherton  C. Lenton  J. W. Reid (Sec.) J. Cox S. Carlin
2nd Row:    E. Quinn B. Connelly (Coach) Bro. Austin (V.P.) S.Wheeler (Capt.) Bro. Albert(V.P.)  P.Thurn(Treas.) 
                  H. Rayner
In Front:     E. Robinson,  C. Lenton , Jun. (Mascot), P. Montgomery, 
Insets:       B. Arthur,  F. Thurn 
Absent:     M.Ryan

Sid Flynn [1897-1986] commenced his schooling with the Patricians at Redfern and transferred to Mount Carmel in 1908. Sidâs younger brother, Frank attended Mount Carmel in the 1916-1920 era. At the time, the Flynn family lived in George Street, Waterloo near Raglan Street.

Those readers who remember Brother Austin OâConnell [1889-1967] as one of the giants among the Patrician Brothers probably do not realise how long he was in Australia. His first years in the country (1908-1915) were spent in residence at Redfern monastery. He associated with such giants of the early years of the century as Brother Boniface Carroll, Brother Patrick Fogarty, Brother Baptist McGrath, Brother Jerome McAuley, Brother Stanislaus Bergin and Brother Benignus Kealy, men who inspired him to become a great leader among the Patrician Brothers.
The Brothers remember Brother Austin as a great Provincial who was in charge of the Patrician Brothers during the difficult years of the Great Depression and the Second World War (1931-1946). During his term of office the foundation at Wahroonga was greatly enlarged (1935) and the Brothers moved into Granville (1942). In his dealings with people Brother Austin always reflected the image of the Christian gentleman. [The Patrician Brothers in Australia ö The First Hundred Years].

Brother Austin was born in Kilkenny in 1889. After a short period of teaching at Mallow, Co. Cork, he sailed from Ireland on December 28, 1907. He lived at Redfern from June 1908 while teaching at Mt. Carmel. He was Superior at Redfern 1919-1922. From 1917-1918 Brother Austin was Principal at Mt. Carmel. [Extracts from Patrician Annals ö Redfern Communities.] It seems Brother Austin sailed in the company of Brother Fidelis Downes. The Annals record Brother Fidelisâ arrival in Australia on March 4, 1908. No record of their arrival in Sydney has been found. It is believed they left their ship at Melbourne and travelled by rail to Sydney.

Brother Austin was one of three Brothers identified as teaching at Mt. Carmel in 1908, the year in which the school opened. From 1915 to 1917 he taught at Ryde, returning to Redfern in the June of 1917. In 1923 Brother Austin was Novice Director at Orange where he remained until 1928. In 1925, Brother Austin and Brother Celsus Daly were delegates to the General Chapter. In 1929 he returned to Ryde until 1939. In 1937, Brother Austin attended the General Chapter in the company of Brother Norbert Phelan and Brother Aloysius Hannigan.

From 1940 to 1944 Brother Austin was at Wahroonga, returning to Ryde in 1945. In 1946 he began the year at Granville. In the May of that year Brother Austin, accompanied by Brother Rodan Bergin and Brother Oliver Healy, returned to Ireland to attend the General Chapter. Brother Austin was appointed Assistant General and was retained in Ireland. He taught the Juniors at Tullow until ill-health forced him to retire from active work. 

Brother Austin was a deeply religious man, a gifted disciplinarian and a successful teacher. He is remembered for his kindness, sincerity and inspiring faith.

Brother Austin OâConnell after a long illness, died in his 79th year, at Tullow, Co. Carlow on July 30, 1967.

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Brother Albert Small arrived in Sydney from Ireland in September 1914 in the company of Brother Majella McConnan.

Brother Albertâs first appointment was to Redfern and in 1915 to Mt. Carmel where he was Principal from July. In 1916 he taught at Redfern until June 1917. He then moved to Bathurst until June 1918 when he returned to Redfern. In 1919-1920 he was again teaching at Mt. Carmel, returning to teach at Redfern in 1921. 

In 1922 Brother Albert was at Bathurst and in 1923 at Dubbo. In 1924 he returned to Redfern teaching at Mt. Carmel till April then moving to Orange. In 1925 he again commenced at Mt. Carmel, again moving to Orange in the April. In 1926 he went to Ryde remaining there until April 1927 when he returned to Mt. Carmel. 1928 saw him again at Ryde and in 1929 at Redfern. He returned to Ireland that year.

Brother Albert Small died, in his 81st year, at Fethard, Co. Tipperary on August 6, 1972.

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Back Row:  H. Montgomery, F. Judge (Treas.), J. Reid (Sec.), C. Lenton, L. Robinson, B. Paranthoine,  P. Thurn
2nd Row:    S. Flynn, L. OâGrady, S.Sullivan (Vice Pres.) P. Harrison (Capt.) Rev. W. Geer (Pres.), 
                 E. Quinn, F. McGrath
Front Row:  T. Malouf,      Teddy Harrison (Mascot),       F. Thurn

In 1920, Father Geer was 44 years of age.

The photograph appears to have been taken at Waterloo Oval. From memory, the building in the background was the dressing rooms.

Is Teddy Harrison the youngest person to appear in a Football Team photograph?

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From a 75mm x 50mm (3 by 2 inch) snapshot the marvels of digital reproduction has given us this wonderful group portrait of six outstanding men. Brother Thomas Brennan, Brother Joseph Tierney, Frank Corless, Brother Cyril Boland, Brother Oliver Healy and Brother Nicholas Duffy, photographed at a fundraising picnic for the Wahroonga Novitiate at Carrâs Park, Sydney circa 1940.

In 1940, Brother Thomas Brennan was 51 years of age, Brother Joseph Tierney 39 years, Frank Corless 35 years, Brother Cyril Boland 52 years, Brother Oliver Healy 40 years and Brother Nicholas Duffy is believed to have been 30 years of age

Father Geer, born on May 12, 1876 at Carisbrook, Victoria, was educated at Ballarat College, Victoria and Trinity College, Melbourne, gaining his M.A. at Melbourne University.

After his studies he became a minister in the Church of England and was for some time attached to All Saints, Woollahra. 

Father Clarke, OFM, of St. Josephâs, Edgecliff, received Father Geer into the Church on January 3, 1912. Father Geer then studied at Springwood and Manly and was ordained at St. Maryâs Cathedral, Sydney on November 30, 1916. His first appointment, 1916-1923, was to Mount Carmel, Waterloo. He was thereafter a professor at Springwood for five years and then followed parochial appointments to Katoomba, Windsor, Neutral Bay and Parramatta. In March 1933 he was appointed priest-in-charge of St. Columbaâs, North Leichhardt and built the presbytery there in 1939.

Father Geer died on March 5, 1941. A Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Columbaâs on March 7, 1941. Following the Mass, Father Geer was interred at Rookwood Cemetery.

BROTHER THOMAS BRENNAN (R.I.P.)

Brother Thomas Brennan, and Brother De Sales Byrne, both Novices, arrived in Sydney on 18 July 1912 in the company of Brother Benignus Kealy returning from the General Chapter.

Brother Thomas had worked in Dublin prior to joining the Congregation. His was a late vocation.

Brother Thomas was first appointed to Ryde and in 1913 to Redfern, 1914 Bathurst, etc. The list is endless - but let us complete it. In 1915-1916 Redfern at Forest Lodge [he had walked the Irish mile], in 1917 at Redfern, then in the June to Bathurst, in 1918 to Ryde, 1919 Bathurst until June, then Orange to April 1927, completing the year at Redfern. From 1928 to 1931 at Forest Lodge, 1935-1936 Redfern at Mount Carmel, 1937 Forest Lodge, 1938-1940 Mount Carmel, 1941 Redfern, 1942-1947 Mount Carmel, 1948-1949 Redfern, 1950 Mount Carmel, 1951-1952 Redfern, 1953-1956 Wahroonga, 1957-Oct 1964 Redfern, completing the year at Forest Lodge. From 1965-1971 at Narellan, 1972 Ryde, 1975- March 1976 at Narellan.

Brother Thomas and Brother Aloysius Hannigan acted as caretakers at St. Patrickâs monastery following the Brothers departure from Redfern at the end of 1963. 

On July 1, 1964, Brother Aloysius Hannigan suddenly collapsed and died. Brother Thomas telephoned Brother Augustine Grealy at Forest Lodge who rushed across to Redfern to find Brother Thomas in shock; he could only repeat, He didnât say anything. He didnât even say, ÎGoodbyeâ!

Brother Thomas Brennan, died in his 88th year, at Narellan, N.S.W. on March 4, 1976.

Brother Joseph  Daniel Tierney, son of Daniel and Ellen Tierney (nee Hunt)  was born  at Deniliquin, NSW in 1901. He entered Croagh Patrick, Orange in 1919, made his first profession in 1923 and final profession at Croagh Patrick in 1925.
 
Although Brother Joseph had no formal academic qualifications he was an outstanding teacher, especially in Commerce and English. He was also a keen follower of sport (football, cricket and boxing) and a successful coach, particularly of junior teams. His knowledge of sport was extensive and his quality of leadership outstanding. His energy was sustained in spite of poor health that often led to hospitalisation. He had a kidney removed in 1944, then appendicitis, and finally cancer. 

Brother Joseph confined his interests to the religious life. He rarely read newspapers or listened to the radio and on no account would he watch television. He never felt at home except in a community. He was good humoured and full of jokes and stories, often repeated.

This frail saintly man had remarkable influence on his pupils, even after they had left school. His obvious piety and sincerity was reflected in his famous collections on behalf of the Missions. His meticulous observance of the Rule, impressive talks on religious subjects, his asceticism combined with kindness for others and courteous behaviour, not only impressed and edified others, but showed the value of the religious life when lived whole-heartedly as a single-minded response to a call from God. 

Brother Joseph taught at the following schools. He was the Principal in many of them. Forest Lodge 1922-1924, (one of the last to walk the Irish mile) Ryde 1924-1925, Forest Lodge 1926-1928, Waterloo 1929-1931, Redfern 1932-1937, Ryde 1938, Waterloo 1939-1941, Granville 1942-1947, Redfern 1948-1953, Liverpool 1954, Wahroonga 1954-1956, Blacktown 1957-1969.

Brother Joseph was a member of the Provincial Council 1944-62, Acting Provincial in 1950 and delegate to the General Chapter in 1956.

Brother Joseph Tierney died, in his 69th year at Blacktown NSW on June 7, 1969

The above is one of a number of ãshort biographies of early brothers in Australiaä, held in the Provincial Archives at Holy Cross College, Ryde. Minor editorial changes have been made. The author of these hand-written biographies has not been identified.

Brother Cyril Boland was born in Co. Tipperary in 1888. Before entering the Congregation he worked for several years in Dublin. 

After meeting Brother Finbar Downes (brother of Brother Fidelis Downes) in Dublin he entered the novitiate at Tullow, Co. Carlow in 1910. Having received only primary education, he was greatly handicapped in qualifying as a teacher. After a short period of teaching at Mountrath, Co. Laois (pronounced Îleashâ) he sailed to Australia arriving at Sydney aboard the SS Omrah on August 14, 1916 in the company of Brother Anthony Phelan and Brother Ignatius Smyth. 

Brother Cyril served at Redfern 1916-1917, Orange from June 1917-1919. In June 1919 he was appointed Principal at Forest Lodge (another to walk the Irish mile), residing at Redfern until 1923 when he became Superior in the new Blessed Oliver Plunkett monastery, in the parish of Forest Lodge, where he laboured until 1937. Brother Cyril had outstanding successes in public examinations.

Other appointments were Redfern 1938-1940, 1941 at Wahroonga, 1942-1943 Redfern at Forest Lodge, Redfern 1944-April 1951, Ryde to 1953, Forest Lodge 1953-1960, Sefton 1961-1964.

Brother Cyril was a stern disciplinarian who worked arduously in difficult circumstances. He suffered greatly from a leg infection. A monk of the old-fashioned school, he was severe on himself and others. 

Brother Cyril Boland died, in his 76th year, at St. Vincentâs Hospital, Darlinghurst on January 28, 1964.

Brother Oliver Healy sailed from Ireland in 1925. It is believed he arrived in the company of Brother Austin OâConnell and Brother Celsus Daly returning from the General Chapter held that year.

Brother Oliverâs first appointment was to Forest Lodge, then Ryde/Redfern in 1926. In 1917 at Orange until March when he returned to Redfern, 1928-July 1931 Mount Carmel, Forest Lodge from July 1931-1937, Redfern 1938-May 1940, then Ryde to May 1946.

Brother Oliver returned to Ireland in May 1946 in the company of Brother Rodan Bergin and Brother Austin OâConnell as delegates to the General Chapter. Brother Oliver was retained in Ireland and later proceeded to Aden to establish a school there.

Brother Oliver T. Healy died, in his 90th year, at Ballyfin, Co. Laois, on December 12, 1989.

It is believed Brother Nicholas Duffy arrived in Sydney in the company of Brother Alphonsus Feeney towards the end of 1937.

We know little of Brother Nicholasâ background. But we, Noel Sara, Kevin Hilferty and Kevin Scott, knew him well; he taught us in the Intermediate Class of 1945. Brother Nicholas was an outstanding teacher. He replaced Brother Baptist McGrath, who had died on February 13, 1945.

We had been studying French under Brother Baptist, but Brother Nicholas had no French. He taught Latin. Well, he explained, if you do not pass in Latin, you surely would gain a better pass in English as the subject will increase your knowledge of the language. Many were successful, the remainder benefited from the study. 

His first appointment was to Redfern from 1938 to May 1940, then Ryde to 1945 In the February 1945 he came to Forest Lodge where he stayed to April 1946 when he left the Congregation.

In 1946, Brother Nicholas had disciplined a student with the cane. A sectarian newspaper, The Rock,  ran a sustained campaign claiming assault. The matter went to court, and to save further embarrassment to the Archdiocese, Brother Nicholas reluctantly pleaded guilty and was fined. There were many in the local community who offered to finance his defence, but Brother Nicholas declined their help.

The result of this campaign was the loss to the Congregation of a Brother much admired by his students and their parents. His sense of humour was legend. Some still recall the occasion when he let off a cracker under the seat of the student who had fallen into the habit of returning late after the lunch-break. Brother Nicholas had warned the Class what to expect. Result - a repentant student and hilarity! The offender shall not be named ö but his initials are J.L.McM.

It is believed that Nicholas Duffy then worked as a tally-clerk on the waterfront in both Sydney and Melbourne before sailing to make his life in England. 

Born circa 1910, we know not of his destiny. Please remember him in your prayers.

Timothy was born to Joseph and Ann Bergin at Gurteen, Co. Tipperary on March 24, 1909.  Twenty-one years later bearing the Religious name of Rodan, he pronounced his Final Vows as a Patrician Brother while attached to the Community of Mallow, Co. Cork. Shortly afterwards, in May 1932, he arrived in Australia, an event which had a profound influence on his life.

The change was a dramatic one for him, being transferred from the easy and friendly rural background to a poor inner-suburban area of Sydney rocked by the rigours of a severe economic depression. His first six years were spent at Redfern teaching at Mount Carmel, Waterloo. His next 12 years were spent at Forest Lodge that included a full term as Superior and Principal.

Most of the students at Redfern, Waterloo and Forest Lodge in those days were of Irish background and despite the street-wise disposition of many, Rodanâs caring and genial nature readily enabled him to establish a friendly rapport with them and their families. His love of sport and his adoption of rugby league eased his transition into a dominant sub-culture of Sydney in the 30s and 40s. He became an eager and astute coach in schoolboy rugby league.

Like many Patricians of his era he became an avid and live-long fan of the local first grade rugby league side, South Sydney ÎRabbitohsâ.

Despite his conversion to tennis, swimming, cricket and football, Rodan did not abandon his first love in sport, the noble game of Gaelic hurling. Most Sunday afternoons would see him polishing up his skills he acquired in far-off Tipperary when he would join the Irish lads who would congregate at the G.A.A. quarter of Sydneyâs Moore Park for their weekly game of hurling.

He maintained strong bonds with the Irish community in Sydney and would readily contribute to the mood of a social gathering with a pleasant tenor-voiced rendition of ÎBless this Houseâ or Î Oft in the Stilly Nightâ.

From 1950 to 1956 Rodan spent an enjoyable stint back in Ireland as a member of the General Council. During this time he taught in the Primary school in Tullow and also, for a short time, was manager of the farm at Mount St. Joseph.

He returned to Australia in 1956 as Provincial and remained in that role until 1968. This era spanned a period of re-thinking in religious life and a period of great strain on the Catholic education system in Australia. 

His simple and sincere faith together with his instinctive paternal kindness made him a respected and assuring leader through the restless 60s. He would indicate his disapproval of certain attitudes and behaviour by a knowing shake of the head but he would never condemn the individual or harbour resentment.

One of his last brave decisions as Provincial was the acceptance of the persistent invitation of Bishop Doggett to establish a Patrician foundation in Papua New Guinea which has been blessed in many ways.

Rodan headed the Australian delegation to the 1968 General Chapter. He was elected to the role of an Assistant General and he served in that capacity until 1974. During this time, and subsequently, he was a member of the teaching staff at Mount St. Josephâs Juniorate at Tullow. In his final years he aged gracefully as a member of the Community at the Mount.

He had a warm welcome for visitors at all times, shaking hands profusely and eagerly listening to their stories. Each year there was a steady stream of visitors from Australia to see him and he was always alert in memory and delighted to renew such friendships.

He maintained a great interest in the Congregation at every level. Many will remember his gentle habit of sleeve-tugging to gain the individual attention of a confrere or to accompany his wide stare in emphasising a point.

In looking back on his long life those who knew him best recalled above all his pleasing qualities, his gentleness and simplicity. His gentleness was all the more remarkable as he was a big man of remarkable strength. Like the prophet Elijah in the Bible story, many experienced the Lord in the Îgentle breezeâ of Rodanâs life.

Shining through his attractive human qualities at all times was his deep and simple spirituality. Daily Mass and community prayers were the highest priority in each day of his religious life. His devotion to Our Lady was life-long. He was fingering his rosary beads right up to the time when he said his Îfiatâ and allowed his gentle soul to slip peacefully from his weakened body on June 10, 1990.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

 May 7, 1925           Entered Novitiate at Tullow, Co. Carlow
 May 8, 1926           First Profession of Vows
 May 28, 1930         Final Vows at Mallow. Co. Cork
 May 10, 1932         Arrived in Australia
1928-1932              Mallow
1932-1938               Redfern at Mount Carmel
1938-1946               Forest Lodge
1946 (May-June)      Delegate to General Chapter
1944-1950               Superior and Principal at Forest lodge
1950 (April)              Delegate to General Chapter
1950-1956               Assistant General, Mt. St. Joseph, Tullow
1956-1968               Provincial, Wahroonga, NSW
1968-1974               Assistant General, Mt. St. Joseph, Tullow
1968-1990               Mt. St. Joseph Community

Back Row:    K. Rickens,    P. Scott,    T. Dunn,   Brother Rodan ,   K.Scott,   N. Sara,   J. Fitzsimmons
Seated:         R. Mannix,   P. Hogan,   E. Gard (Capt.),   P. Hayes (Vice Capt.),  G. Murtagh,   L. Durrington
Front Row:     C. Murphy,   K. Bradley,                    Absent: M. Watterson

The photograph was taken at Alexanderâs Studio on Broadway, between Wattle and Jones Streets, in August or September 1945. Brother Rodan Bergin was then 36 years of age.

The boys were 12 to 14 years of age at the time of the photo, Tom Dunn being the eldest. 

Kevin Rickens, Paul Scott, Tom Dunn, Pat Hogan, Ted Gard, Peter Hayes, George Murtagh and Charles Murphy have all passed away.