Fr Denis W. Martin, Priests of 1928, Brisbane, 2003, pp 227-229:
Dean Michael Herbert

'A giant, like some mighty cedar of Lebanon', was the impression created by the character and personality of Dean Herbert. He was one of those indomitable spirits.

The birthplace of Michael John Herbert was Corballa in Co Sligo in 1893. The local National School was where his education began before he crossed into Co Mayo to attend St Muirdach's at Ballina for his secondary education. In 1911, Michael went to Paris for the philosophy course. Theological studies were undertaken at the Collegio Brignole Sale in Genoa, where Timothy Molony was a classmate. Ordination was the next step in July of 1917. Fr Herbert then returned to Ireland for a holiday with his family. World War I was still raging when he set out for the scene of his labours in 1918.

In the Archdiocese of Brisbane, he spent about a year in each of the following places: Toowoomba, Gympie, Maryborough, Gayndah and Booval. It was in 1923 that he was given charge of the parish of Goondiwindi. It was an area of about the size of Ireland and included Texas, Bollon, Inglewood, St George and Dirranbandi. He covered the circuit every three months.

Fr Herbert soon came to know every road and track and side-track along the border from Texas to Hebel. What he lacked in driving skill he made up for in luck and the help of neighbours who pulled him out of trouble. Behind it was his deep but simple faith in God: never mind about changing gear, just rev the engine and ride the clutch, accelerate into bogs and plough into flooded crossings - all the time in his powerful brogue shouting, 'God will get me through, God will get me through.' Sometimes God did; sometimes God didn't.

Another driving technique he developed overcame some of the effort necessary when entering gated cattle properties. He would leave the car in gear to creep along while he alighted, then opened the gate, allowed the car to pass through, closed the gate, then ran to catch up and hop in. On one particular occasion it didn't work. At Zacka's Garage, he told Charlie he 'hit a swerve in the road'.

It was remembered with humour too that in the morning he would be sitting out in the outhouse partially concealed behind an old canvas hanging, the great Blucher boots visible underneath as he said his Office and gave a wave out to the kiddies as they arrived for school.

During his 26 years at Goondiwindi, he travelled out gathering small groups for Masses in homes, halls and woolsheds. Gradually, communities were built up, churches were built, the Josephite Sisters would be introduced, then places like St George, Texas and Inglewood were cut off to become separate parishes. But Fr Herbert came to know everyone as he kept up his battle against sin, the weather, bad roads or no roads. In 1937, he built the new St Mary's Church in Goondiwindi.

In 1949, Mick was moved to Stanthorpe. It was a complete change and one to which he did not adapt. He was able to make a trip home to Ireland in 1950. On his return, he became Parish Priest of Roma where he was to remain for ten years. Here once again he was very popular.

On his transfer to Dalby in 1960, Fr Herbert was made a Dean as so many Toowoomba Parish Priests were. In his new parish, he had all the drive and energy of a much younger man, visiting schools, parishioners, and outlying churches. A pious young seminarian on holidays popped into St Joseph's one Saturday afternoon for confession. He was listing his failings against charity when there came an impatient wave of the hand and the words, 'Ah ... forget all that. Get on with the big stuff!'

Dean Herbert died on 15th May 1970. The funeral proceeded from St Patrick's in Toowoomba to the priests' plot in the Toowoomba/Drayton Cemetery. In his panegyric, Bishop Brennan described the Dean as a great priest because of his apostolic activity, the dignity he brought to his exalted calling, and his devotion to the holy Mass and the Blessed Sacrament. For so long he stood in all his varied strength, in all his manly attributes, with all his strong convictions and his magnificent loyalties, towering in our midst. He was a man of high principle and superb courage, a faithful shepherd.'

(Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Martin.)

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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 Michael John Herbert, died 15 May 1970

Michael John Herbert was born on 18th September, 1893 at Castleconnor, Co.Sligo, Ireland, to Thomas and Margaret Herbert (nee Carden). He attended College in Ballina Co.Mayo and College des Irlandais, Paris. His Seminary was the Collegio Brignole Sale in Genoa, Italy and he was ordained in that city on 15th July, 1917 by Archbishop Gavotti. He worked under Archbishop Duhig in Toowoomba, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Maryborough, Gayndah, Booval, and under Bishop Roper in Stanthorpe (1949-50); Roma, as PP (1951-60) - he almost rebelled going to Roma and was only begrudgingly obedient to the Bishop's orders. He was also noted as a very poor and dangerous car driver, with remarkable feats and escapes in his car. He was PP in Dalby from 1960-70 where he virtually retired for some years. His most noted appointment was to Goondiwindi where he was stationed from 1923-49. That Parish was enormous in those days, from Cement Mills in the East to Bollon in the West. His attention to people and their spiritual needs was amazing. He celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1942. He was dearly loved despite his brusque Irish mannerisms. He died after a long period of infirmity at Lourdes Home, Toowoomba, and is buried in the Toowoomba/Drayton Cemetery.
(Ref. Clerical CV and Fr B. Kane)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.