Fr Alan O'Brien

Early life

Alan Ross O’Brien, son of Joseph and Thelma O’Brien, was born at West Croydon on December 17, 1932. He received his early education at St Joseph’s Convent, Hindmarsh and Woodville Park before moving on to Marist Brothers College, Alberton.

In his working life before beginning studies for the priesthood he was very active in the YCW in Woodville as well as Croydon and Woodville Gardens. His generosity and zeal in those early days were signs of his openness to the Lord and to those around him.

At the age of 25 years he entered St Francis Xaviers Seminary at Rostrevor to commence his ecclesiastical studies in 1961.  He was ordained to the priesthood in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on July 8, 1967.

Appointments

His first appointment was as Assistant Priest to Brighton parish where he remained for five years. During his time in Brighton he participated in a wide range of youth activities. He was chaplain to a very strong and active YCW Group and a playing member of the St Joseph’s Parish Cricket Club. With adult support he also initiated the setting up of a Youth Committee which co-ordinated the youth activities in the parish.

In January 1973 he went to Mount Gambier, and a year later moved to Clearview parish. After two years there he was appointed Parish Priest of Pinnaroo. While there he was appointed the Regional representative on the Priests Senate and also a member of the Diocesan Vocations Committee.

Early death

Sadly, after only two years there, he was diagnosed with cancer and admitted to Calvary Hospital on February 1, 1983. In June that year he was transferred to Melbourne and admitted to the Sacred Heart Hospital, Moreland for further treatment.  He died in that hospital two months later on August 2, having been a priest for only 16 years.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated on August 5, in St Margaret Mary’s Church at Croydon, the parish of his parents. At the Funeral Mass Archbishop Gleeson spoke of his many qualities: “Though he was a rather shy and diffident man, school students, young working people, married couples of all ages, especially the sick, elderly and sorrowing, all came to experience the love of Christ in this dedicated priest. Nothing was too much trouble for him in assisting others in their human and spiritual needs.”

Too often Fr O’Brien failed to note the demands being made of him; too often he put his health at risk with his selfless generosity. So much so that the Sisters of St Joseph and others at Pinnaroo expressed their concerns to the Archbishop. As he noted: “Out of obedience to me he sought specialist medical advice as a matter of urgency”. A few days later he was struggling for life. Archbishop Gleeson said: “In those desperate days and throughout his long illness we have really seen the character of this great man and priest, we have been edified by his deep spirituality and acceptance of his suffering as an expression of the mysterious love of God for each one of us.”

He was buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.