“Peter and John, two fine priests who have served the Church and People with distinction in those varied fields wherever the Spirit led them. Always Spirit lifters, not Spirit crushers. No matter where they roamed, they always called Sandhurst home.”
In asking you to honour our 1963 Diamond Jubilarians I would like to place the Priestly service of Peter and John initially in the context of the Decade of their Ordination, 1958 to 1965, the five years before their ordination, and five years after.
That decade began with what turned out to be a bombshell for Church and for many, the Priesthood. The aged, cuddly, and seemingly simple Cardinal Roncallli was elected as Pope. Despite continued opposition, the windows he opened have never really returned to the previous shut and fixed position.
That decade ended in 1968 with quite a bang.
The Paris student riots encouraged, it is chronicled, the Future Pope Benedict to hurry back to the Roman Sacristy, the murder of Bobby Kennedy added to the turmoil created by the ongoing Vietnam war protests, and then we in Church, were called to manage the Encyclical ‘Humane Vitae’, a continuing challenge even today.
In that decade, Sandhurst ordained 28 Seminarians from Corpus Christi College and St Francis Xavier in South Australia. Six resigned active ministry, three are alive and in various states of health, and all are here today.
Following the early 60s example of Peter Quinn, some nine of that group served with distinction in PNG, Fiji, New Zealand, the Philippines and other Pacific Areas. Many found themselves in seminaries, a number acting as Rectors or staff members. A number were active as reserve Military Chaplains, with John White leading, as the Air Force Principal Chaplain. Peter Jeffrey holds I think, the National record as being the only Priest in Australia to act as Rector of three seminaries.
Further, a number of this cohort held Positions with ACBC; Maurice Duffy heading up the rewriting “Come Alive” Catechetical team, and John Ryan as Director of St Peter’s Centre for priestly renewal.
Not a bad contribution for a small country Diocese.
Peter began life in Bendigo, schooled at St Marys Convent until Grade 4, Marist Brothers and then on to St Patrick’s, Ballarat, where he distinguished himself as a debater, winner of the prestigious Purton Oratory speaking prize in 1955. He was a prefect; that possibly helped his earlier roles in Seminaries.
John, recently living In Wangaratta, found Assumption as his secondary school and had a distinguish sporting career, Tennis, First XVIII, athletics and debating and also a prefect.
In between Fiji and NZ, Peter accepted roles as Parish Priest in Euroa, and Shepparton, found time to lead the Diocesan Education Board and serve on the CECV. He chaired the First Inter-Faith Council in the Diocese as well as serving as Dean and in the other standard offices.
John meanwhile, was receiving accolades for his work with the Centre for Christian Spirituality, in Sydney, followed by becoming Director, Oceanic Office, Centre for Human Development, then on to Centre for Ministry Canberra and, finally moving to Centacare, Canberra.
The Centre for Human Development raised eyebrows, Human Development was unheard of back then. The current upcoming Synod amongst other tasks is concerned with how our knowledge and teaching can be lived and applied in the changing conditions of our time. Peter often tells of his own growth in coming to realise the importance of Human Development in the task of seminaries. He found soul mates in this area during his stint at Holy Cross. John’s work in this area bore fruit years later.
Whereas Peter seemed to flourish in Parish Pastoral life, John preferred office hours. This is perhaps illustrated by … you knew who was on that phone, whereas … I will get back to you!
For a moment reflecting on the mysterious paths that we now identify as God drawing straight paths with different materials …
Peter and I were both born in Bendigo, went to the same schools, but never consciously met until after Ordination.
John caught up with me at Kilmore and finished a year early. Again, we did not meet untill after Ordination.
I landed in Shepparton in 1971, found myself sitting at the left of Monsignor Bones with Peter on the right. One day I was ordered to sit at the Right hand … I was a year older in ordination. Not much attention to Consultors detail that year.
On the other hand, John and I arrived at the Cathedral in 1974 full of Vatican II zeal, particularly desirous to bring in the sign of peace. In those days, the station Church was St Pius X at Long Gully. The locals were a little bemused at the antics of the young assistants and one day they told us, “You won’t last here”. They were right. John moved to Myrtleford and I to Heathcote on 20 July 1974.
Peter and John, two fine priests who have served the Church and People with distinction in those varied fields wherever the Spirit led them. Always Spirit lifters, not Spirit crushers. No matter where they roamed, they always called Sandhurst home.
Many of us gathered today would not have experienced these two men in full flight. Articulate, (though I did find some of John’s published works a little difficult), spiritual, hardworking, and respectful of their congregations.
Each has contributed significantly to the Big Church and assisted in the development of our wonderful Diocese.
We thank them for their long years of fruitful service.
