Fr John was responsible for the building of the beautiful stone church that sits on a hill above the lake in Queenstown.
There is a wonderful piece in the Tablet in 1897 that describes how the stone was all carted by local people and stacked ready to build the church.
At the opening of the church Fr O'Donnell thanked all those who had helped to build it and furnish it. He himself donated a statue of the Virgin and Child that is still in the church.
Fr O'Donnell is buried in Queenstown Cemetery, in the Catholic section, Block 1, Plot 8, not far off
Brecon Rd.
There is much written about him over the years in the Tablet, and he was clearly a very beloved pastor, who loved and served his people dearly. When he celebrated his silver jubilee of ordination, the address given to him spoke very warmly of his attributes:
“You have proved and brought into prominence, by the many arduous tasks you
have fulfilled, the self-sacrifices you have made, the various improvements and
buildings you have effected, and especially the model church we all feel so proud
of, that you are a priest of singular administrative ability. In all this work you have
been sustained by a buoyancy of spirit, a zeal for souls, a feeling for your fellow
man, and a trust in God that has endeared you to all. Sustained by such
sentiments, you have continued, in spite of failing health, to discharge duties under
difficulties to which stronger men would have succumbed. You have won your way
into our hearts, not by the glow of brilliant exterior accomplishments of one craving
for popularity and applause, but by your sterling qualities and true priestly virtues.
We have always looked up to you as a true Christian gentleman and model priest.
Again, as a churchman and citizen, your singleness of purpose, broad-mindedness
and genial Irish spirit, endeared you not only to your own flock, but to those outside
the Church, many of whom have joined us here to-night to offer you their
congratulations.”
Fr John showed a great love for the mountains he loved under in his adopted land. In his reply at his jubilee he stated that:
Fr John showed a great love for the mountains he loved under in his adopted land. In his reply at his jubilee he stated that:
“His mission had a singular fascination for him. The gigantic mountains with their
snowcapped peaks, piercing the very clouds of heaven, proclaimed in their own
way the infinite power and eternity of God. This always gave him a buoyancy of
spirit which was indescribable.
I have compiled a much longer account about Fr John Francis O'Donnell. It can be found at this Google Drive link.
I have compiled a much longer account about Fr John Francis O'Donnell. It can be found at this Google Drive link.
No comments:
Post a Comment