Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Timothy Keleher, died 6 June 1923

Timothy Keleher was born at Macroom, 'a small one-street town of no great interest', in Co. Cork, Ireland on the 24th August 1875. He was educated at National Schools and the Presentation College, Cork. His Seminary training was with the Trappists at Mt Melleray and at All Hallows, Dublin, where he was ordained on the 24th June 1901. He arrived in Brisbane in November of that year. Throughout 1902 he was Curate of Red Hill. In 1903 he was at South Brisbane, then during 1904 he was on the Cathedral staff. He describes himself as 'absent' during 1905 through 'illness'. From February 1906 until August 1915, he was Curate at St Patrick's Toowoomba, where it was said of him that he was one of the most popular priests that had ever been in Toowoomba. On the 22nd August 1915, he took up residence as the first Parish Priest in Rosewood. In 1921 he moved to Wynnum. He died in 1923 aged forty-eight. It is evident from his appointments and relatively early death that he was not a strong man. His grave is in Nudgee Cemetery.
(Ref. Linane K33, Brisbane Archives and Pugh's)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 166:
Fr Timothy Kelleher

Timothy Kelleher was born in Macroom in co Cork Ireland on 25 August 1875. His parents were Mr John and Mrs (nee Scriven) Kelleher.(1)

Timothy was educated in the national school and by the Patrician Brothers in Cork before entering Mt Melleray to commence his studies for the priesthood. He then proceeded to All Hallows College where he was ordained on 24 June 1901.

He arrived in Brisbane in November of that year. He was stationed first at St Stephen's Cathedral, in 1902 at Red Hill, 1903 South Brisbane, 1904 the Cathedral, 1905 on sick leave, from 1906 t0 1915 as curate to Fr Denis Fouhy in Toowoomba.(2)

In August 1915, he was appointed the first parish priest of Rosewood:

A very pleasant function took place in the Farmer's Hall, Rosewood, on Monday evening 23 August 1915, when the parishioners of the newly created parish tendered a welcome to their new parish priest, the Rev Timothy Kelleher, late of Toowoomba.(3)

In 1919 Father Kelleher moved to Wynnum to succeed the ailing Fr Thomas Enright who retired to reside with his brother, Fr James the parish priest of Beaudesert.

Fr Kelleher spent just over four years at Wynnum. He died in the Mater Misericordiae Private Hospital on the morning of Wednesday 6 June 1923.

For some time his health was not the best. This was all the sadder, because he was eagerly looking forward to his trip to Ireland in 1924 to visit his aged mother.(4)

Father Kelleher's funeral was held at St Stephen's Cathedral on 7 June. Archbishop Duhig presided. Fr Jeremiah O'Leary was the celebrant of the Requiem High Mass with Fr Jordan as deacon and Fr O'Keeffe subdeacon. His Grace Archbishop Duhig spoke very touchingly about the deceased priest, remarking that while visiting the dying priest he heard him say "I am happy. I need nothing". The archbishop continued:

That happy death was the reward of a life of charity and hard work. … God had been very kind to him, for He had given him a beautiful nature, rich in all the qualities and gifts that appealed to every class of people. … No man had been more beloved than he by his fellow priests, and the laity must have the very kindliest remembrance of him, because Fr Kelleher had never failed either priests or parishioners. …. And lastly, they could say of him, that he was beloved of men, because of his nobility and charitableness.(5)

Following the Archbishop's eulogy the funeral moved to Nudgee Catholic cemetery. There Fr Timothy Kelleher was buried in the area where many of his fellow priests had been buried previously and many were to be buried in the future.

Parishioners of Wynnum and Rosewood erected a fine memorial monument over his grave.

Footnotes
1. Qld Death Registration, 1923/B39947.
2. Prayer Calendar- Deceased Priests who ministered the catholic Faith through Toowoomba and districts 1864-2007, p. 23.
3. Queensland Times, Ipswich, 27 Aug 1915, p. 7.
4. Catholic Press, Sydney, 14 Jun 1923, p. 28.
742 Brisbane Courier, 8 Jun 1923, p. 4.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.