Patrick O’Reilly was born in Co Monaghan, Ireland in 1932. He was educated locally and in England where he worked briefly before entering the Oblate Novitiate in Ireland in 1954. He undertook his priestly studies in the Oblate seminary in Ireland where he was ordained on 25 September 1960. At the conclusion of his studies, Fr Pat was appointed to the Australian Oblate Province where he has spent his entire priestly ministry.
Fr Pat spent the first 14 years as a successful preacher of missions and retreats – three years in Victoria and 11 years in Queensland.
He quickly adapted to the difficult task as a missioner, moving from parish to parish. His success can be gauged by the number of parishes and religious communities who called upon him. During his years in Brisbane at Eagle Junction he was the leader of the community for six years from 1971-1975.
Fr Pat was appointed parish priest of Sefton in New South Wales in 1976 and later parish priest of Moe and Rosebud in Victoria and the parish of Lesmurdie in Western Australia. He was then appointed parish priest of St David’s parish in Tea Tree Gully, South Australia.
In all these appointments he showed untiring efforts in parish visitation. He was known for his kindness and experience with the Sacrament of Reconciliation along with his well-prepared and well-delivered homilies. He also left legacies in all the parishes in which he served – some new buildings, some extended, some renovated.
In recent years he did not enjoy good health and eventually he moved to John Hannah Hostel in the Oblate parish of St John Vianney’s, Springvale North, Victoria. It was here that his Golden Jubilee of priesthood was celebrated with fellow Oblates and local community in 2010. He died here on Sunday, 9 October 2011.
We thank God for the life and priestly ministry of Fr Pat. In a special way we thank God for the strength he gave Fr Pat to bear with the sufferings of his final years. He was a wonderful example to us.