Necrology
Fr Laurence Anderson, O.Praem
Fr Peter Columba O’Reilly O.Praem
Bro Patrick William Doolan, O.Praem
Fr Augustine Patrick Heron, O.Praem
Fr John Declan Reynolds, O Praem
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Fr Laurence Anderson, O.Praem - Norbertine Canon of Queens Park
Fr Laurence Anderson was the first principal of St Norbert College.
Originally from Dublin in Ireland, Fr Anderson was also the first principal of the St Norbert College attached to Kilnacrott Abbey in Ireland, before coming out to Australia to become principal of the college in Queens Park.
He arrived in Perth in January 1965 to open the school for 23 boys in February.
For the next six years he worked hard to establish the school, building up the numbers and expanding both the facilities and curriculum.
A block of four classrooms was built and the original science block, administration and library was also constructed during Fr Anderson’s time at the school.
According to close friend and colleague, Fr Peter O’Reilly, Fr Anderson was a gentle man who had suffered ill health for many years.
“He was extremely intelligent but had been threatened by TB earlier in his life, and never properly recovered.”
“He through the change in climate in Australia would help but sadly he died in 1971 after a heart attack, aged 50.
“It was a sad time for all of us. He had moved to Kerry Downs to convalesce, and had even made plans to return to Ireland later that year.”
The boys at the school were also sad to hear of Fr Anderson’s death.
Kevin Mulvey who was at the school for three years while Fr Anderson was principal described him as “always a very reasonable man.”
We were sad to see him leave St Norbert’s for Kerry Downs, and then to hear of his death early the next year.
Fr Peter Columba O’Reilly O.Praem - Norbertine Canon of Queens Park
Born in Annaclue Co Cavan, Ireland on 5th October, 1919, he was clothed in the white habit of St Norbert on the 3rd October, 1942. He was professed on the 8th October, 1943 and ordained priest on the 28th July, 1946. He was a Jubilarian and senior member of the Canonry of Queens Park.
Fr Peter Columba served as a Canon of Holy Trinity Priory Kilnacrott holding the ministries of novice master and sub prior and later prior of the new Abbey.
Fr Peter was the founding superior of the Norbertine Community in Western Australia from 1959, residing at York and Queens Park. He worked tirelessly for the building up of the Norbertine and Archdiocesan apostolates in Perth. From 1985, he ministered in the parish of Dianella. In 1991, he returned to York as Parish priest, retiring to St Joseph’s Priory, Queens Park in November 1999.
Fr Peter Columba was an inaugural member of the Canonry of St Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, Queens Park, Western Australia from December 8th 1995.
Passed peacefully to his eternal reward on December 6, 2000. He was well prepared and ready to meet the Lord who he loved so much in his own simple way. He completed his earthly journey fortified by the rites of Holy Church
Bro Patrick William Doolan, O.Praem - Norbertine Canon of Queens Park
Born in Mackay, Queensland, Australia, he was clothed in the white habit of St Norbert on the 10th February 1982. He was professed on the 2nd February 1983 and Solemnly Professed on 2nd February 1986.
Bro Patrick served the Norbertine Community of Queens Park as Sub Prior, Cantor, Provisor over many years since his profession.
Bro Patrick was an exemplary teacher at St Norbert College Queens Park between 1984 and 1997, and again between 2003 and 2005. In our education apostolate Bro Patrick held the positions of Deputy Principal, and Head of Religious Education, as well as a classroom teacher.. He served on the Management Advisory Board and the Academic Board of St Norbert College, Queens Park.
Bro Patrick was an inaugural member of the Canonry of St Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, Queens Park, Western Australia from December 8th 1995.
Passed suddenly to his eternal reward in Mackay, Queensland on January 14th, 2006. Br Patrick was holidaying with his family after attending his sister’s wedding ceremony. It was his 46th Birthday.
Fr Augustine Patrick Heron, O.Praem - Norbertine Canon of Queens Park
Father Heron was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 11 July, 1935. He was vested in the white habit as a Novice of Kilnacrott Abbey, County Cavan, on 8 September, 1954, professed on 8 September 1956 and was ordained to the priesthood on 2 July, 1960.
Father Augustine was transferred to the Norbertine Community in Kerry Downs, Western Australia, in 1962 and served as assistant priest in the York area until 1980 when he was appointed Parish Priest for Holy Family Parish, Maddington, where he served for the next 14 years. In 1994 he was appointed Parish Priest for Santa Clara Parish, Bentley.
Father Heron retired to St. Joseph Priory, Queen’s Park, in 2001. Subsequently, his health was rather precarious and he suffered a heart attack and a broken hip, but still continued to do supply work in neighboring parishes as well as St. Joseph’s. He was accustomed to spending a day in Rockingham from Sunday afternoon until Monday evening. It was there that he fell asleep peacefully in the Lord during the night between 2 and 3 May, 2004. His body was discovered by friends who had stopped by for a visit.
Father Augustine Patrick Heron is survived by the Norbertine Community in Queen’s Park, Western Australia, by a brother, Peter and his sisters Philomena and Maureen in Ireland. He is fondly remembered by many friends and parishioners, one of whom referred to him as “an awesome priest”. He possessed a very outgoing and loquacious personality and easily entered into conversation with anyone who happened to be nearby. It has been said of him that “he never met a stranger”.
Passed to his eternal reward on Monday, 3 May, 2004
Fr John Declan Reynolds, O Praem - Norbertine Canon of Queens Park
A native of Killeen, Granard, Co Longford, Eire, he was born on May 9th, 1932. Fr John was one of the founding members of the Norbertine community in Western Australia, arriving in Perth on May 11th, 1959. He was clothed in the white habit of St Norbert on September 8th, 1951. He was professed on September 8th, 1953 and ordained priest on July 9th, 1957.
He served as Parish Priest of Queens Park and York, and assisted in many parishes of the Archdiocese of Perth and the diocese of Bunbury. He was a member of the staff of St Norbert College, Queens Park for some years. Fr John’s gentleness and quietness endeared him to many; his ministry was very often behind the scenes, effective nevertheless. His faithfulness to his ministry as priest and religious was exemplary.
Fr John was an inaugural member of the Canonry of St Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, Queens Park, Western Australia from December 8th 1995.
Passed peacefully to his eternal reward Tuesday, August 11th, 2009, after a short illness. He was well prepared to meet the Lord who he loved and served for over fifty years in Western Australia, and before that at Kilnacrott Abbey, Ireland.