Columban Fr Patrick McInerney blessed Fr James' coffin at the burial. Photo: Sydney Korean Catholic Church
Fr. Jim was born in Alexandria, Sydney, NSW, to Irish parents on the 4th of September 1928. He was educated to the Intermediate level by the Christian Brothers, firstly at Lewisham and then at Balmain. Fr. Jim left school at the age of fifteen. He acquired a job as a public servant in the State Penitentiary, Long Bay. However, his sense of call to be a missionary priest was strong. It was so strong he resumed his education to attain the Matriculation Certificate, including Latin, at CBC Lewisham. Fr. Jim joined the Columban Seminary and he was ordained a priest in 1955.
From 1956-69
Fr. Jim took up his appointment to the Korean Region along with four of his classmates. The foursome travelled by ship, the “Changsha,” to Yokohama, making many stops on the way. They completed the journey to Gimpo Airport, Seoul in dramatic fashio0n aboard the “Flying Tigers.”
Following language studies in Seoul. Fr. Jim had several appointments in the province of Gangwon, which borders North Korea. Ganseong was for some years in North Korea but returned to South Korea after the Korean War. He would have certainly heard the rattle of gunfire when the sporadic skirmishes broke out on the border. In addition, the mountainous terrain of Gangweon Province made travel difficult, even treacherous during the freezing winter. Fr. Jim with people who were especially poor as the country recovered from the devastation of the Korean War. Fr. Jim’s care of and dedication to the people gave them hope. He was 'a rock in a rough sea’ for the then-fledgling Catholic communities.
After the Korean War, medical facilities were also in short supply. Fr. Jim’s support as chaplain for the Australian Sisters of the Little Company of Mary as they set up Calvary Clinic in Gangneun was vital. His support and wisdom are appreciated by the sisters to this day.
From 1969-94.
Fr. Jim was a missionary who moved with the people. With industrialisation, came a mass migration of people from rural areas to Seoul and its surrounds. The Columbans decided to move with them. Fr. Jim was one of those Columbans. He started and ran parishes for the internal migrants which provided both a place of worship and a new community for displaced people.
However, while in the Geum Gok parish, Fr. Jim suffered a health setback that required his return to Australia. The illness ended a total of 40 years on mission in Korea. It was a sad time for him as he said goodbye to the people he loved in Korea.
What a time it was for him as he was in his element journeying with the people recovering from war, illness and dislocation. However, the story of his journey with the Korean people did not end there.
From 1994-2024.
After medical treatment and recovery, Fr. Jim again sought out the Korean people. This time he was appointed to assist the Korean priests who had taken over the Korean Community parish in Silverwater, NSW. This parish had been established by the Columbans some years previously.
Fr. Jim became a vital member of the community ministering the Sacraments and being a solid presence again among a people on the move - this time, migrants to Australia. After many years, age began to take its toll on Fr. Jim’s health. Nevertheless, he continued this ministry as long as he could.
Finally, he moved to St. Joseph’s Aged Care Facility. After just a few months resident there, Fr. Jim passed away peacefully on the 4th of June this year 2024.
The Korean people loved Fr. Jim both in Korea and Australia. Everyone knew him for his warm broad smile. He led a simple life with few material needs. His humble and close relationship with God emanated warmth and love to everyone without distinction.
A parishioner from the Silverwater Korean community summed up Fr. Jim’s influence on people very well. As quoted in the “Catholic Weekly’s tribute to Fr. Jim (June 25, 2024), the parishioner said “We absolutely adored him because he brought so much faith into our community. So much love saturated his heart and he was a man dedicated to the people.” Clearly, the distinctly Korean flavour of the funeral Mass was a fitting tribute to a missionary priest who shared so of himself with the Korean people.
Columban Fr Kelvin Barrett lives in Melbourne.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban eBulletin.
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