Catholic Outlook September 2015

2015 FATHER’S DAY APPEAL
CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED: Your support for retired and sick priests
By Elizabeth McFarlane
Your priest has been at some of your
most memorable and meaningful
family events. They were there when
you married. They were there when your
child was baptised. They were there when
you lost loved ones. They were there every
Sunday, watching your family grow, not
just in number but also in faith.
Priests often reflect on the honour
that comes from being a witness to such
significant moments. The Diocesan
Administrator, Very Rev Peter Williams,
reflected, “As priests it is a privilege for us
to be able to share in the joyful moments
of your lives and to be with you in times of
heartache and sadness.”
But what happens when a priest
retires? What happens when a priest
becomes sick? They have been a part
of your family for so long and in their
retirement and through their sickness and
age, they can still remain a part of your
family.
Last year you gave more than $195,000
to support the retired priests and sick
clergy of the Diocese through the Father’s
Day Appeal. There are 27 Parramatta
clergy who are currently retired – two
bishops, 23 priests and two deacons.
Your donation helps them cover
healthcare costs and expenses associated
with everyday living, supplementing the
pension that some receive.
“The appeal is a way of acknowledging
the priests who have ministered
throughout our Diocese over many years,
but who are now in need of our assistance,”
Fr Peter said.
Parishioners continue to inspire
Fr Mick O’Callaghan
A
priest for almost 40 years, Fr
Mick O’Callaghan said he has
been sustained in his faith by
parishioners who continue to inspire him
with their inherent goodness.
“Parish ministry is the greatest joy of
my life as it enables me to touch and be
touched by people from all walks of life,”
he said. “Every day is different and so,
often, the best laid plans are thwarted by
an unexpected visitor or event.”
At the age of 73, Fr Mick is
transitioning to retirement and is currently
Administrator of Our Lady of the Way
Parish at Emu Plains.
Reflecting on his vocation journey,
Fr Mick said his parents were great role
models in ensuring that the Catholic faith
played a significant part in family life.
“There was always weekly Mass, the
rosary (especially in May and October)
and frequent visits by the parish priest for
family meals,” he said.
“In my early teens I considered
priesthood and it was a persistent thought
over many years.
“When I was in high school, Sr Adrian
RSM was a great influence in my life.
She posed the idea of priesthood and
encouraged an interest in the Carmelites as
her brother was a member of that order. Sr
Adrian remained a family friend until her
death.”
After leaving school he worked in
banking and studied accountancy. While
living in Melbourne he was active in the
YCW and in the Victorian Catholic Lawn
Tennis Association.
“Despite having a great social life, I
always felt drawn to the priesthood. In my
20s I made contact with the Carmelites
and eventually joined them in 1971,” Fr
Mick said.
His first five years of priesthood were
involved as Vocation Director and Youth
Minister, which gave him great insights
into the lives of young people.
“I worked with a number of religious
orders running retreats and discernment
weekends for high school pupils and
university students,” he said.
In 1986, Fr Mick approached Bishop
Bede Heather regarding the possibility of
transferring from the Carmelites to being
a priest of the newly formed Diocese of
Parramatta.
Fr Mick said that in his gentle manner,
Bishop Bede guided him through a process
of transfer and in 1987 accepted him as
member of the diocesan priesthood and
appointed him to Our Lady of Lourdes
Parish at Seven Hills.
“We are blessed to have many clergy
aged over 65 still in active ministry. It is
also true that in the near future, many of
them will need our support.”
The retired and sick clergy of our
Diocese have served our community well
and can continue to do so with your help.
They are grateful for your support now and
in the future.
Last financial year, the Clergy Support
Foundation spent about $500,000 caring
for the needs of these retired priests. The
Foundation also spent just over $90,000
in preparing for the future retirement of
clergy, of whom about 10 may be seeking
to retire over the next five years.
There are units under construction for
retired priests and seminarians, which will
be located next to Holy Spirit Seminary in
Fr Mick O’Callaghan and seminarian Joe Murphy inspect construction of the new units at Harris Park with site
manager Josh Haymen. Photo: Alfred Boudib.
Subsequently, Fr Mick has served
in the parishes of Leura, Richmond,
Baulkham Hills and now Emu Plains.
Fr Mick said the scourge of clerical
sexual abuse had caused huge changes in
the Church and in a priest’s relationship
with the people. “I find this very sad. I
love children and have always had a good
relationship with them,” he said.
“In my early years of priestly ministry
there was much more trust, openness and
freedom to be yourself amongst the young
people – and people in general.”
As he approaches retirement Fr Mick
said he tends to stay in his comfort zone
rather than be challenged with new
ideas. “This is frustrating as I have always
considered myself a bit radical.”
Harris Park.
The retired priest building will consist
of nine rooms with two bedrooms and two
bathrooms, basement parking, a chapel
and a common lounge area.
The seminary accommodation will
consist of 22 studio apartments, dining
room, library, common lounge, outdoor
entertaining area, extensive landscaping
and parking.
Construction is scheduled for
completion in April 2016.
Donations to the Father’s Day Appeal
can be made through the envelopes
available from your parish or online at:
www.csfparra.org.au
Donations of $2 or more are tax
deductible.
He hopes to have more time for
reading, listening to classical music and
attending the opera.
Fr Mick’s favourite passages from
Scripture are the parable of the ‘Prodigal
Son’ and Jesus’ encounter with the
‘Woman at the Well’. “They show God’s allencompassing
love in action. My favourite
hymn is Here I Am Lord.”
But priests never really retire, and Fr
Mick will celebrate Mass whenever called
on and hopes to stay in touch with many
of the parishioners he has come to know
over the years.
Asked for advice to men contemplating
priesthood, he said: “Give it a go. Nothing
ventured – nothing gained!”
theLMent.com
Our retired Priests have always been a part of
your FAMILY,
in your celebrations, unions,
happiness & sadness
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA CLERGY SUPPORT FOUNDATION
In their retirement,
they can still remain a part of your
FAMILY
CARING FOR THOSE WHO CARED
Please support our sick and
retired Priests through the Clergy
Support Foundation.
Donations are welcome at any
time – amounts of $2 or more are
tax deductible.
If you are preparing or changing
a Will you may consider
bequeathing a donation to the
Foundation.
For more information please call
(02) 9639 0598 or donate online
at www.parra.catholic.org.au
10 CatholicOutlook | SEPTEMBER 2015
www.parra.catholic.org.au @parracatholic facebook.com/parracatholic