Deacon Walter Jewell

Early Life

Walter William Jewell was born in Hammersmith in England on December 18, 1907.

He was received into the Catholic Church in 1929. The following year he married Kathleen Mary Mayo in the Church of the Holy Ghost in Shepherd’s Bush, London. Kathleen had been received into the Church previously in 1922.

Living at Wembley, Middlesex, they both became heavily involved in the Catholic Evidence Guild. As a Master of the Catholic Evidence Guild in London, Walter wrote a number of pamphlets on various theological subjects for the English Catholic Truth Society. He often reminisced about his days in London at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, where he publicly defended the beliefs of the Catholic faith.

Life in Australia

In 1956 they came to Australia with their two children. He soon became involved in the local Church and gave a number of radio talks on the Catholic Hour and wrote many articles for The Southern Cross. He was noted to have a beautiful style in writing – it was clear, simple, spiritual and with a touch of poetry about it. One reader described Walter as a real “gem” because of his writing. He enhanced parish festivities and celebrations of the parish with his poetry, where he was able to capture the moment with humour and well written prose.

A Permanent Deacon

It was in 1965 he first made application to be ordained as a Permanent Deacon. His application was strongly supported by Fr Andrew Tuite who was the local parish priest when they were living at Stenhouse Bay on Yorke Peninsula. But it wasn’t until September 17, 1972 that Walter was ordained Deacon in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. He was the first, and for many years the only Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese. He was well accepted by the priests and people of the diocese. It was recognition of the acceptance of the special role of the married deacon, which had become possible following the Second Vatican Council.

Life in Salisbury

Following ordination he was appointed as Deacon assisting in the Salisbury parish. He took over the pastoral care of the aged and sick in the parish, visiting the aged in their homes and nursing homes in the parish. The elderly loved his gentle care. He would often be accompanied by his wife.

Some assistant priests at the time remember Walter as being good to be around because he had a calming effect in the busy life of a fast growing, large parish of the 1970s. He was a quiet, knowledgeable, gentle presence in the midst of the hectic and fast paced activity of the Salisbury parish. He was good to have around to give advice and share the experience of his years with a newly ordained and “green” assistant priest. At the same time he would quietly listen to their ideas and hopes and encourage them in their endeavours. He was treasured as a good and loyal friend. He also assisted in the various parish liturgies as Deacon.            

In 1974 he took two months leave to visit relatives and friends in England.

After a rather long illness he died on September 25, 1978. His funeral Mass was celebrated in Salisbury and he was buried in the Salisbury Memorial Park Cemetery. His wife, Kathleen, died in 2003 and was buried with Walter. At the Requiem Mass Archbishop Gleeson paid tribute to him as a man who loved Christ and his Church and his faith – all this showed through in his writings.

May he rest in peace.