Father Tom O’Reilly CM, former Rector of St Charles Seminary, Guildford from 1969-1971, died in Sydney, NSW on Holy Thursday, April 9, 2009, aged 91.
Fr Tom was a member of the Vincentian Congregation of the Mission, founded by St Vincent de Paul.
Until they withdrew from WA, the Vincentians had care of St Charles Seminary, Guildford and Kwinana parish.
He succeeded as Rector of St Charles’ Seminary Fr DF Bourke CM, who left to take up an appointment in Sydney.
Fr Tom was born in Goulburn, NSW and educated by the Marist Brothers and the Vincentians, along with his brother, Shamus.
Fr Tom was ordained to the priesthood in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney on December 7, 1945.
In June, 1949, he travelled with two other Australian Vincentians to the Philippines, to study at the University of Santo Tomas. He was awarded a Doctorate in Philosophy for his thesis on the Australian Commonwealth Court of Arbitration and Conciliation on standard hours of work. Fr Tom was “outstanding” for keeping in touch with his former students and their families. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St Charles Seminary, Guildford on Thursday, May 28 at 5.15pm. Former students are invited to attend. For catering for the dinner which will follow, please phone Helen at the Seminary on 9279 1310 or Perth Vicar General, Monsignor Brian O’Loughlin, at the Church Office 9223 1351.