Bishop
Eugene Hurley of Pt. Pirie was the Principal Celebrant of the Memorial Mass
for Fr. Austin CP at All Saints Church, Pt. Augusta on Tuesday 26th
July. A number of diocesan priests joined Passionists Kevin Hennessy, Peter
Kennedy, Peter Gardiner, Pat Cooper, Joe Furst, Mark Nugent and Ron Davoren in
concelebrating with the Bishop and Fr. Eugene Kenny, brother of Fr. Austin and
a retired priest of the diocese of Pt Pirie.
Many
relatives and parishioners from the Passionist parish of Pt. Augusta were
present to give thanks to God for the life of Fr. Austin, especially in his
ministry in the parish and in the diocese of his birth where he had ministered
so faithfully for the last 8 years of his life The Homily was given by Fr.
Peter Kennedy CP, Community Leader of All Saints Retreat, Pt. Augusta.
Fr.
Austin’s body was afterwards taken to
Adelaide
where the community of
St. Paul
’s Retreat welcomed him to The Monastery Church.
On
the next day Wednesday 27th July, Fr. Kevin Hennessy CP, Vicar
Provincial in the absence overseas of Fr. Denis Travers CP, was Principal
Celebrant of the Mass of Thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Austin. After the
Gospel, Fr. Kevin reflected on the life of Fr. Austin and Fr. Mark Nugent CP,
a long time friend, gave the eulogy.
The
Monastery
Church
was overflowing with family, relatives and friends, including members of
Marriage Encounter, Cursillo and Marian Movement for Priests in which Fr.
Austin had been involved for many years.
Fr.
Kevin was assisted by Fr. Austin’s brother, Fr. Eugene Kenny, Fr.
Brian
Traynor CP from the Province Leadership Team, Fr. Mark Nugent CP and Fr. Peter
Gardiner CP, the parish priest of Pt Augusta.
Two
of the many nieces of Fr. Austin gave the readings of the Mass while Emeritus
Archbishop Leonard Faulkner read the Gospel. Many diocesan priests from the
Archdiocese of Adelaide concelebrated together with members of the Glen Osmond
Passionist Community and some from communities in other States.
At
the conclusion of the Mass Fr. Brendan Connell CP, Parish Priest of Glen
Osmond, gave the final commendation before the body of Fr. Austin was taken to
the Monastery cemetery in the grounds of St. Paul’s Retreat. The committal
prayers were read by Fr. Jeff CP, a member of the General Council of the
Passionists, who is visiting
Australia
.
