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Fr Charles O’Mahony was proud to be a Columban missionary priest and proud of ‘all things Columban’. He died in his sleep in his 95th year at Caritas Christi Hospice, Kew, Melbourne on February 10, 2013. Charles was born in Kyabram, Victoria on November 20, 1918 but the family moved to Geelong where he finished his schooling. He worked in the Taxation Department of the Public Service in Melbourne for four years before deciding to try the missionary priesthood.
He began his study in 1938 at Essendon then travelled to the USA to Omaha, Nebraska where he completed his theological studies. He was ordained by Cardinal Cushing in Boston, Massachusetts on December 21, 1944.
He was blessed with a good mind and intellect which marked him out for further studies which he undertook in Rome from 1948-1951.
But on his return to Australia he was appointed to Fiji, being one of the first group of Columbans to open a new mission there.
He was barely in Fiji when he was recalled to teach in the seminary in Wahroonga, Sydney. He was a member of the planning team for building a new seminary at Turramurra. His brother Tom was the architect and Charles was the first Rector when it opened in 1959.
He held all positions of major Columban responsibility in Australia: Regional Bursar, Office Manager of The Far East Office and Regional Director of the Australia/New Zealand Region.
In 1980 an appointment as Rector of the Columban house of studies in Rome was the beginning of a fulfilling six years. Many Australian bishops and priests who resided at the Columban house while they pursued their studies spoke of his interest in them, his willingness to assist and his enthusiasm for Aussie culture.
His performance of excerpts from Banjo Paterson’s ballads was legendary.
At 76 years of age Charles returned to Fiji for 12 years as the manager of the Columban Central House in Suva, 42 years after his first appointment there.
In 2007 he retired to St Columban’s, Essendon where his journey began. He became proofreader for The Far East until December 2012. He was a kind and generous priest.
May he rest in peace.My vocation story - Charles O'Mahony
Columban Fr Charles O'Mahony died, aged 94, on Sunday, February 10, 2013. A few months before he died he wrote the story of his vocation and priesthood for The Far East.
In 1937 I was young man, 18 years old, employed in the Taxation Office of the Victorian Public Service. I was content in my job, but I became aware that God was inviting me to the priesthood. It was clear that I ought to commence training for the priesthood, but I did not know how to choose between the various options - diocesan priest, or one of the Orders. I knew something about Jesuits, Franciscans and Blessed Sacrament Fathers, but I didn't think they were for me.
One day, it must have been a public holiday, a group of four Tax Collectors went for a bike ride to a picnic spot on the outskirts of Melbourne. There was Frank and I, Lorna and Nancy.
On the way we climbed a hill in Woodland Street, Essendon and paused for breath outside St Columban's Mission. Lorna said, "I know a boy who came here to become a priest. His name is Bernie Way. Today he is a missionary in Burma." That caught my attention "Missionary in Burma!" "I think I'd like that". We continued on and enjoyed our barbecue on the bank of the Maribyrnong River.
When I got home to my boarding house I wrote a letter to St Columban's saying that I was interested. In reply I received an invitation to pay them a visit. One night I rode my bike and was received by Fr Luke Mullany, the then Director of the Society of St Columban. He told me that he had been a priest of Melbourne Archdiocese when two priests arrived from Ireland in 1920 speaking about the new missionary society that sent missionaries to China.
He became interested and asked permission from Archbishop Mannix of Melbourne to leave the Archdiocese and join this new mission society. He joined the Columbans and was appointed to China.
On the way home I thought about this. "Gosh, you'd have to learn Chinese, I thought. Is that possible? Well, evidently Fr Mullany had done it. So can I."
In March 1938 I was one of a group of seven new students commencing studies for priesthood.
We spent a total of seven and a half years in study, three and a half in Essendon, followed by four years in Omaha, Nebraska, the Headquarters of St Columban's in U.S.A.
By this time World War II was ended and we could find shipping for our return to Australia. I found a British cargo vessel ready to sail from Newport News, Virginia through the Panama Canal, then direct to Sydney, arriving in early October.
After a brief holiday at home in Geelong I reported for duty to St Columban's, Essendon and was appointed to the Formation team with a special interest in our first year students. I was to remain in Formation for the next 15 years, including three years in Rome to get qualification allowing me to teach in a seminary.
In 1961 a new career opened for me, this time in Administration, where I would spend the rest of my life. I suppose my Public Service background had some influence on these appointments. I came to Essendon, where I became Region Bursar for five years, then Office Manager for five.
Next came Regional Director for six years, 1970-1976. In 1980 I was asked if I would like to go to Rome as Manager of Collegio San Colombano. This is not a teaching institution, it is a residence for priests studying in one of the Roman Universities. The Rector's job was in management. I said "yes, I would like that," and spent seven years in Rome and enjoyed every minute of it.
Back in Australia I discovered that there was a vacancy for a Bursar in St Columban's College, Turramurra (near Sydney) where I spent seven years. By this time I was aged 75 and announced that I was retiring. A replacement Bursar was found, but I was invited by the Columbans in Fiji to go there as manager of their new Central House.
I was glad to accept this invitation. I thought I could stay for one or two years. Maybe even three. As it turned out I stayed 12 until I was 88-years-old. In 2006 the Columban Superior in Fiji said he thought it was time I went home. I could only agree with him.
I'm fully retired now at St Columban's Mission in Woodland Street, Essendon. I have a nice room, with a big window looking out on Woodland Street.
Just out there somewhere is the spot where it all began. I was never appointed to Burma, nor to China, as my boyhood fancy had envisaged but I played my part in the work of St Columban's Mission Society.
The priesthood has never been to me a disappointment. Rather it has called forth all the talents I was given, and others that I never knew I had.
I wait now to hear the closing words of the New Testament AMEN, COME, LORD JESUS.
Read more from The Far East, March 2013