Biography:
Early Life
Neil Desmond Kelly was born in Adelaide on September 3, 1931. His early education was at the Dominican Convent Glenelg and then Christian Brothers College at Rostrevor. He began his ecclesiastical studies at St Francis Xavier’s Seminary in 1948.
After three years study of philosophy he then moved to St Patrick’s College, Manly, NSW for his theological studies. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Matthew Beovich in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on August 6, 1955.
Appointments
His first appointment on December 23, 1955 was as Assistant Priest at Mt Gambier with Mgr Redden, who had been Rector at the Seminary when Fr Neil was a student there. While at Mt Gambier Fr Neil had a memorable experience which demonstrated his great courage – there was a forest fire which trapped a number of fire-fighters, some of whom were fatally injured.
Neil received the call to attend and without thought to the risk of his life or limb Neil went into the fire area to minister to the severely burnt men. He received much acclaim for his bravery.
On January 9, 1959 Fr Neil was appointed Assistant Priest at Victor Harbor, but this was only for just over three months. He was then sent to Semaphore as Assistant Priest. Three years later he assumed a similar role at Woodville. A year later, on July 6, 1963 he was appointed Parish Priest of Bordertown, where he remained for just on six years.
On February 1, 1969 he was appointed Parish Priest of Elizabeth North where he remained for 18 years. During this time he certainly ‘left his mark’ on the growing parish but also had a wide involvement in the life of the diocese.
In November 1970 he was elected to the Senate of Priests and was also a member of its co-ordinating committee. In 1979 he was elected a Consultor to the Board of Management of the Diocesan Presbytery Fund, and he continued as a member of the DPF Board for many years. From 1988 to 1994 he was entrusted with the special care of the senior and retired priests – a role he attended to with great diligence.
Final years
In January 1987 Fr Neil was appointed Parish Priest of the Barossa Valley parish, while he continued his role with the Presbytery Fund. Then in July 1991 he was appointed Parish Priest of Parkside where he was for the next 10 years. However due to ill health he had to retire at the beginning of 2002. He went to live at the Ville Beovich retirement home at Myrtle Bank.
But on September 18 that year he died in the Mary Potter Hospice at North Adelaide.
Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Raphael’s Church Parkside, where many of his contemporaries from St Patrick’s College, Manly and numerous former parishioners came together to thank God for his ministry and pay tribute to his loyal service. In the eulogy his class-mate Fr Peter Ward said he felt it was a great privilege to have been part of the same class as Neil in the Seminary, a group who always did their best to support one another.
He described Neil as one of the most pastoral priests he had known, always dedicated to his people and zealous in his care for them. He was filled with concern and love for his brother priests, a man of great welcome and hospitality. This was particularly evident in his care for senior and retired priests.
May he rest in peace.
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