Fr Edward Louis O'Connell

Irish beginnings

Edward Louis O’Connell was born in Kells, Co Meath in Ireland. He was educated at St Finian’s Seminary in Navan, Mulligar and studied for the priesthood at St Kieran’s College where he was ordained on June 13, 1915.

 In the same year he came to South Australia arriving on December 13, 1915.

Appointments

His first appointment as assistant priest was in the Adelaide Cathedral Parish.

Soon after his arrival there was a severe influenza epidemic in Adelaide and Fr O’Connell was remembered for his heroism in attending so many sick during this time. Later, during the depression years of the 1930s he was noted for the outstanding sympathy and help he offered to those who were in need.

After six years at the Cathedral he was appointed parish priest of Murray Bridge, a big responsibility given that it was such a large parish at the time, extending to the Victorian border and including the Riverland. It was later divided into four separate parishes. During his time there he built four churches and a convent.

Parkside

His next appointment 10 years later was to be parish priest at Parkside where he was to spend the rest of his life. Present at his funeral Mass were eight priests who grew up in the Parkside parish during his time. The Legion of Mary began in the Parkside parish, as did the Young Christian Workers Movement. Fr O’Connell was a great supporter of both groups.

In April 1947 he took extended leave to return to his homeland of Ireland to visit family and relatives.

Fr O’Connell died on August 24, 1956, aged 65 years. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Raphael’s Church, Parkside on Monday February 27 where the celebrant was Mgr M L Dunne while Archbishop Beovich presided. About 100 priests were in attendance. Assistant priest at the Requiem Mass was Rev Dean Bayard who would succeed Fr O’Connell as parish priest of Parkside.

Speaking at the Requiem Archbishop Beovich recalled that Fr O’Connell was the first of seven priests from Kells in Co Meath, Ireland, to serve in Adelaide. He said Fr O’Connell “was a robust and breezy personality who attracted people to him. His gifts were all used for the salvation of souls..…The people of Parkside will not easily forget the vivid personality of their late pastor.”

Fr O’Connell was buried in the Centennial Park Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.