Applications will soon open for a scholarship established by Perth priest and former editor of The Record, the late Fr Patrick Cunningham.
The scholarship aims to promote lay studies of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and offers students beginning studies in theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle Campus up to $25,000.
Born in Perth on 17 March 1929, Fr Pat was 12 when he joined the first intake at St Charles’ Seminary in Guildford.
In one of his letters, he described himself as “a callow youth” who let the future Archbishop Launcelot Goody persuade him to help found the seminary in the closing months of 1941.
Ordination followed in Rome in 1951, after six and a half years at Guildford.
Fr Pat went on to serve parishes in the city and the country, among them Highgate, Subiaco, York and Narrogin, and as Editor of The Record for 24 years.
He also spent time as chaplain at the now former St John of God Hospital in Mt Lawley, and in retirement celebrated a weekly Mass for staff at the Catholic Education offices in Leederville.
Fr Pat passed away on 7 November 2014, aged 85, the last surviving member of that first group of St Charles’ seminarians.
In his homily for the funeral Mass, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB described Fr Pat as “a fount of knowledge about the history of the Archdiocese”.
Former Fr Pat Cunningham Scholarship recipient Peter Webb said he is incredibly grateful for the opportunities the scholarship gave him as a lay person to learn about and deepen his love for the Catholic faith.
“The financial support from the scholarship has helped me immensely in my time at Notre Dame Australia, allowing me to spend more time focusing on my studies, not only to improve my grades but also to ensure I can better serve the Christian community both now and in the future.”
The Scholarship is awarded to the applicant who, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, best demonstrates through their personal qualities and motivation in pursuing theological studies aligned to the teachings of Second Vatican Council, including personal determination to contribute to the community through the values and aspirations of the Council in service to the communities of the world.
For more information contact scholarships@nd.edu.au