Gravestone: "A priest for others."

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Vale Fr Paul Coleman SJ, Australian Jesuits, 25 September 2017, https://jesuit.org.au/vale-fr-paul-coleman-sj/, accessed on 6 September 2026:

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Vincent Paul Coleman SJ, who died at the Mater Hospital, Crows Nest (Sydney) at about 7.00am on Monday 25 September 2017, aged 90 years.

Fr Paul Coleman SJ

Feb 1927 — Born in Melbourne, Victoria

Educated at Xavier College, Kew, Vic.

1946-47 — Studied Arts / Law at Melbourne University

1948-49 — Noviceship at Loyola College, Watsonia, Vic.

1950-52 — Philosophy at Loyola College, Watsonia, Vic.

1953-55 — Regency at Xavier College — Kostka Hall (1953, 1955) and Burke Hall (1954)

1956-59 — Theology at Canisius College, Pymble, NSW; ordained 07 January 1959

1960 — Xavier College — Burke Hall, Kew, Vic.: teacher (Latin, English, Religion), assistant prefect of studies

1961 — Tertianship at Sevenhill, SA (Tertian Instructor: Fr Henry Johnston SJ)

1962-68 — Sacred Heart Residence, North Sydney, NSW: sub-minister, assistant priest, director of Holy Name Confraternity for Men, Sodality of BVM, Manresa Social Club and CYO, Federal Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, Legion of Mary

1969-74 — Manresa, Norwood, SA: superior, parish priest, director of Sodality of BVM, chaplain to Youth Club and Loreto College, Marryatville

1975-85 — Sacred Heart Residence, North Sydney, NSW: superior, parish priest

1986-92 — Canisius College, Pymble, NSW: work in St Clair Parish, Parramatta Diocese (1986-89); chaplain to prisons (1986-87); chaplain at Mater Hospital, Crows Nest (1990-)

1993-2014 — North Sydney, NSW: chaplain at Mater Hospital, Crows Nest; chaplain at Mary MacKillop Chapel & Centre, North Sydney (1998-2006), assistant priest (2007-); chaplain to Sisters of Mercy, North Sydney (2013-). Resident at 2/22 Hazelbank Road, Wollstonecraft, since 2007

2015-17 — Arrupe House, Pymble, NSW: chaplain at Mater Hospital, Crows Nest, and Sisters of Mercy, North Sydney. Sunday Mass at St Joseph’s Church, Neutral Bay (from c. 2011). Resident at 2/22 Hazelbank Road, Wollstonecraft

Vigil Mass

7.30pm Wednesday 4 October 2017 at St Mary’s Church, North Sydney

Funeral Mass

10.00am Thursday 5 October 2017 at St Mary’s Church, North Sydney followed by burial at Macquarie Park Cemetery at about 12.30pm

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Death notice, Sydney Morning Herald, 30 September 2017:

Coleman, Rev. Fr Vincent Paul SJ OAM

Died peacefully at the Mater Hospital, Crows Nest on 25th September 2017, in his 70th year as a Jesuit and 59th year as a priest.

Loved son of Vincent and Alma (both deceased), treasured brother of Peter, Barbara, Gerald and Michael (all deceased), brother-in-law to Patrick and Jenny, uncle to Charles (deceased), Susanti and Sutomo, cousin to John, Ronald and Denise, and his extended family in Melbourne.

Fr Paul's brother Jesuits gratefully remember him as a devoted servant of his Lord, particularly in tireless pastoral ministry.

May he rest in peace.

A Concelebrated Requiem Mass in thanksgiving for the life of Rev. Fr Vincent Paul Coleman SJ OAM, will be celebrated at St Mary's Church, cnr. Miller and Ridge Streets, North Sydney on Thursday 5th October 2017 at 10.00am.

At the conclusion of Mass the cortege will leave for the Jesuit Lawn section of the Macquarie Park Cemetery, Plassey Road, North Ryde.

A Vigil Mass will be offered at St Mary's Church, North Sydney on Wednesday 4th October 2017 at 7.30pm.

A Priest for the People

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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Coleman, Vincent Paul, OAM

Pastor; born Melbourne, 4 February 1927; died Sydney, 25 September 2017, aged 90.

Vincent Paul Coleman was recognised as one of the most loved pastoral priests of the province. He was one of four brothers to join the Jesuits, was educated at Xavier College, Kew, and, for two years, 1946-47, studied Arts Law at The University of Melbourne. He entered the Jesuit noviciate at Loyola College, Watsonia, 2 February 1948, and studied philosophy there, 1950-52. Regency was at Xavier College, Kostka Hall, 1953-55, where he taught religion and English, and was sports master.

Theology studies followed at Canisius College, Pymble, 1956-59. Ordination was at St Mary's, North Sydney, by Cardinal Norman Thomas Gilroy, 7 January 1959. Before tertianship at Sevenhill in 1961, he spent a year teaching Latin, English and religion at Burke Hall, 1960.

In 1961, the Jesuit Vicar General, Fr John Swain, sent Australia a visitor, Fr John J McMahon, who, with the powers of the General, would assess the works and personnel of the Australian Province, making changes and offering suggestions for the future. It was an attempt to renew the province. Among many other observations, McMahon discovered that the Jesuits in the parishes were generally elderly, and he sought to rejuvenate them. At the time younger priests were sent to the colleges. So, looking at the younger personnel available, he identified Paul Coleman, currently in tertianship, and assigned him to St Mary's, North Sydney, the following year, under the strong leadership of the parish priest, Tom Costelloe. These were liberating days for Coleman. He threw himself into every parish activity with extraordinary energy and zeal, especially revitalising the Manresa Youth Club.

Having shown pastoral success, Coleman was soon appointed parish priest of the parish of Norwood in the Archdiocese of Adelaide, 1968-76. Here, as at St Mary's later, he redesigned the church sanctuary, which, in both places, was not initially approved universally by older parishioners, but Coleman's charm and engagement with them soon won over most challengers.

His term of office in Adelaide completed, Coleman returned to North Sydney as parish priest, 1977-86. These were his glorious days. A vital and supportive Jesuit community, and parishioners who had valued his presence among them previously gave him the encouragement to revitalize the parish. He formed Scripture groups and a Regis group for over 21s, so young people could gather and celebrate life in the old Manresa Hall. There was also the resource group for single professional women to discuss matters of interest to them. Experts in theology were invited to address the Men's Group. The Care and Concern group was established to visit those who were homeless, lonely and isolated, as well as those who had lost relatives, offering them meals at the time of bereavement. The RCIA group was set up and later the Christian Living Community Groups, and finally, the first Parish Pastoral Council. The ministry of Special Ministers of the Eucharist was established to take Holy Communion to the home bound. The elderly received a visit from the priest for the Sacrament of Healing.

When the Vietnamese boatpeople arrived in Australia, Coleman formed a small group of people to go to the camps, speak with the families and offer what help they needed. He further set up a parish house for unaccompanied Vietnamese children, from where they were assisted to enrol in local schools.

His fame increased as he engaged with anyone who was in need or not. He embraced all, visiting families, even at 9pm at night, showing his interest in them, and supporting them in their faith. He was always available, welcoming, making strong, lifetime friendships. He made everyone feel special. His energy was boundless, and showed 'a boundless desire to nourish people with God's love by showing them compassion and giving them succour', as parishioner and friend Rosemary Flannery said in her eulogy for Coleman at his funeral Mass. She further praised Coleman for his work for many years as chaplain to the St Vincent de Paul Society. She commented how much he enjoyed playing tennis and squash, which kept him very fit. 'He was non-judgmental. People were drawn to him because of his engaging personality, his great sense of fun and good humour and his undying loyalty to his friends'.

Over many years, first as his pastoral assistant and friend, Sister Clare Koch gave Coleman great strength and support. She was completely in sync with him in his pastoral vision. Her determination, decisiveness, great administrative skills, and commitment allowed him to continue his priestly ministry right up to the last three weeks of his life.

During these years the Jesuits had been thinking about involvement in a lower socio-economic parish in Sydney. Coleman took up this challenge, when his term as parish priest at North Sydney ended, by going to the parish of St Clair, in the Parramatta diocese, 1986-89. In this parish, his views of inequality and injustice were sharpened as he ministered to young migrant families who struggled to make ends meet. It was his work here that contributed to his later receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Eventually finding the challenges in this growing parish too much, Coleman returned to North Sydney, where he resumed his work as chaplain at the Mater Hospital, 1990-98, throwing himself with great devotion and zest to visiting the sick and dying and bringing comfort to many. Unfortunately, this work came to an end when the pastoral team was dissolved, and Coleman's strong sense of justice was challenged; so, he resigned in sympathy with the team.

Without a job, the sisters of St Joseph came to the rescue to offer him work at the MacKillop Centre, 1998-2007. Many new friends were made, especially among the sick who sought a miracle from Mary MacKillop. He gave support to many vulnerable and anxious families. When it came time for him to move on, the sisters of Mercy at the Mater Hospital gave him lodging and a resumption of his ministry as chaplain at the hospital, 2010-2013. He had come home. He left the parish in 2014 and found a location for his Sunday community at St Joseph's, Neutral Bay, where he presided each Sunday to an ever growing and admiring congregation.

Coleman was a most compassionate, human priest, who showed much empathy with people in need. He knew how best to console, sustain, encourage, and give hope when required. Having felt unjustly treated himself on several occasions during his life, he was able to relate well to those who felt similarly treated. He gave full attention to conversations. Visiting the sick and vulnerable, and supporting anxious relatives were highly valued. He never discriminated between people: everyone was important and worthy of his respect and acceptance. He fought against discrimination in the Church and was an advocate for giving equal rights to women.

As his reputation spread, Coleman was highly sought after for weddings, baptisms, and funerals. He touched many people. They loved him, and wanted him as a friend, welcoming him into their lives. He appreciated this gratitude, and that give him life. His liturgies made good sense to his worshipping community, and his spiritual accompaniment of people was exemplary. He was a powerful and compelling speaker, preaching what he believed his people needed to hear giving them hope.

He fought his final illness with cancer for many years, enduring pain, and discomfort, but this never interfered with serving his people to the end of his strength. His valedictory address to the congregation at Neutral Bay days before he died was powerfully moving, thanking everyone for their prayers and support. It was his last public appearance. When in his last days, showing their love and affection for him, friends gathered around his bedside on a four-hourly shift, supporting and comforting him to the end. He was never alone. Coleman did not want to die, but finally accepted the inevitable with serenity.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)