Rev John Farmer SJ
Title:
Rev
First Name:
John
Middle Names:
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Farmer
Order:
SJ
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Melbourne VIC
Country of Birth:
Australia
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Adelaide SA
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
West Terrace, Adelaide SA
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Biographical Notes
Not listed in A Prayer-Calendar of Deceased Priests & Deacons in Australia 1788-2009, compiled by W.T. Southerwood, Sixth Edition, 2009.
---
Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Farmer, John
Teacher, pastor, administrator; born Melbourne, 9 April 1914; died Adelaide, 18 April 1993, aged 79.
John Farmer entered the Society, 18 March 1931, and he completed all his Jesuit studies in Australia, being ordained, 8 January 1944. Regency was at St Louis, Perth, 1939.
Before tertianship, John Farmer was appointed to St Patrick's College, East Melbourne, in 1945, and after tertianship the following year at Loyola College, Watsonia, he went to Campion Hall, Point Piper, as teacher and prefect.
Farmer's next posting was as minister to Xavier College, Burke Hall, 1955-56, and then as rector at St Patrick's College, 1957-59. This was followed by four years as rector of St Louis School, Claremont, WA. After this he went as head of the Junior School at Riverview, 1964-70, followed by two years again at Burke Hall teaching history and religion.
More than half of his life as a priest was spent in schools as a teacher and responsible administrator. He was experienced as having great interest in the individual student, and a good teacher. He was considered a good superior by trusting others and delegating responsibility.
Apart from one year at Sevenhill, 1976, Farmer spent the rest of his life, from 1973, at St Ignatius' Church, Norwood, SA, where he was not only assistant pastor, but also more especially chaplain at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and chaplain to the Loreto Junior School.
His Jesuit brothers considered him a loyal, generous and unassuming friend. He was a team man, good in community, competent, simple, full of common sense, and possessing a spirit of service. He was a popular retreat giver.
At Norwood Farmer was experienced as a zealous priest, with the common touch and friendliness. His special gift was caring for the sick, devoted to bringing the Eucharist to them. His sermons brought words of comfort and support to people, constantly encouraging and shepherding the people of Norwood. He was a man who looked on the bright side of life and believed that everyone was special and had talent. Students to whom he was chaplain appreciated his encouragement. He was a selfless man who gave much of himself to others. Even illness did not prevent his attending to the sick and needy. His fidelity was most praiseworthy.
(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)