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 John Joseph (Jack) Clancy, died 8 July 2015

John Joseph Clancy (Jack) was born in Toowoomba on 31st December 1931 to John Clancy and Margaret Logan. His older brother James pre deceased him. John is survived by his sister-in-law, June Clancy and nieces and nephews Michelle, Mark, John and Lisa and their families.
John received his School Education at St Patrick's Primary School and St Mary's CBC Primary and Secondary schools. On leaving school he entered Banyo Seminary and was ordained in St Patrick's Cathedral on 29th June 1956 by Bishop William Brennan. His clerical appointments were to Warwick, Charleville, St Patrick's Cathedral, Our Lady of Lourdes, Newtown, Dalby, Mt. Newman, Geraldton Diocese, Dalby, Cunnamulla, Taroom, Oakey and Pittsworth (Priest in residence). Fr John lived at Vianney Village, Lourdes Home and moved into the Nursing Home section at Lourdes when he became seriously ill. His Diocesan appointments included Diocesan Consultor, member of Diocesan Council of Priests, Vicar for Clergy and Vicar Forane. Whilst in Cunnamulla he received a Civic Award – Freedom of Shire. Fr John's niece Michelle and his nephew Mark delivered the Eulogies at the Vigil at Lourdes Home and his Funeral Mass and at both Mark espoused to his great love of family, people and nature and he was a keen observer of the human condition. He loved sport and was a keen golfer.
Bishop William Morris delivered a Eulogy at the Funeral Mass and said it did not take him long to find, as expressed in the words of Pope Francis that Jack had "a missionary heart always (doing) what good he could even if in the process(his) shoes got soiled by the mud of the street". Wherever Fr Jack lived he became embedded in the life of the community in which he lived and served and into people's lives, through the hospitality of his spirit. He was very intelligent, kept himself open to the world. He kept the windows and doors open to a world that was changing quickly. He wanted to help people find answers to their questions and one example of this was his research into cults. He became a source of understanding and a resource and contact for various bodies that could help families not only understand, but to give support and help with the rehabilitation of those who left cults. With his knowledge Fr Jack helped Bishop William Morris pastor to many who had joined and then left the Magnificat Meal Movement. He had an Ecumenical spirit fuelled by the Second Vatican Council and supported many western communities through prayer, Funerals and Weddings long before any official Statement of Agreements were made with other Churches. He loved where he was, all of the twelve Parishes where he lived and served were special in his heart and he kept in contact with many people from these parishes. Fr Mick Carroll delivered the Homily at his Funeral Mass. He said Fr Jack was very conscious of the sacramental bond that unites us. His hospitality extended far beyond that. One of his confreres said he was a 'master of relationships', another put it this way 'he got on well with people' This is the kind of priest for whom the family and his much wider family thank God for today in this Eucharist. He remained young at heart and was blessed with understanding. He sought to please God and now grace and mercy await him as one chosen by the Lord. Fr Jack is buried at the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance.
(ref. C.V. Eulogies Michelle and Mark Clancy and Bishop William Morris and homilist Fr Mick Carroll.)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.