| Date of Birth: | 20/02/1900 |
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| Date of Death: | 06/09/1950 |
| Date of Ordination: | 15/06/1924 |
Fr Patrick Carolan
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Biography:
Early Life Patrick Carolan was born on February 20, 1900 in Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland. He was the third of five children in the family and he had two uncles who were priests. He received his early education from the Sisters of Mercy and the Christian Brothers in Kells. He then studied at the National University in Dublin where he gained a Bachelor of Arts degree. His ecclesiastical studies were at St Finian’s College in Mullingar and then at All Hallows College in Dublin. He was ordained priest in All Hallows on June 15, 1924. Life in Australia Fr Carolan came to Adelaide that same year arriving on November 15. On arrival he was met by Mgr John Gatzmeyer, the administrator at the Cathedral and Fr Carolan was appointed as Assistant at the Cathedral where he remained for seven years. While there he was chaplain to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. On January 1, 1932 he was appointed Parish Priest of Balaklava. He remained there for 10 years and then went to Strathalbyn in July 1942 where he was Parish Priest for seven years. He had two visits to Ireland, the last being in 1948 when his mother was very ill. In fact she was so ill that when he arrived she did not recognise him. Sadly she died soon after he returned to Adelaide. On September 18, 1949 he was appointed Parish Priest of Edwardstown. Following a rather critical operation he suffered a great deal for several months – but he never complained. He died in Calvary Hospital on September 6, 1950. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral by three priests from his own native parish in Kells. In the absence of the Archbishop the panegyric was delivered by Mgr Gatzmeyer. He noted that Fr Carolan was the fourth priest to die within a few months. In his tribute to Fr Carolan, Mgr Gatzmeyey said the characteristics of his priesthood were evident from the beginning. There was gentleness and meekness and a love of children and young people. He had a strong influence on the young and their parents. Though rather shy and retiring he quickly won many friends wherever he went. He maintained an intense love for his native land, he was well versed in Irish history and he spoke Gaelic fluently. He was buried in Centennial Park Cemetery. May he rest in peace. |