Death of Father James O'Connell. A Great Loss to his Diocese, The Townsville Catholic News, 1 August 1942, pp 3-4:

Almost four years had passed by since the death of a Priest in this Diocese was recorded in these columns. In July, 1938, Father James Feeney passed to his eternal reward at Ayr; now in July, 1942, at Ayr, Rev. Fr. James O'Connell answered the Master's summons.

On Saturday evening, July 4th, Father O'Connell passed peacefully to his reward at the Delta Private Hospital, Ayr, at the early age of thirty-three years. This young Priest was born at Meenkilly, Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, Eire, and was ordained at All Hallows' College, Dublin in 1936. In the same year, Father O'Connell came to Australia to his adopted diocese, Goulburn, and commenced his apostolic labours in the parish of Crookwell. After serving in the parishes of Queanbeyan, Grenfell and West Wyalong, he was forced to enter the St. John of God Hospital, Goulburn, on account of ill-health. Father O'Connell spent a long period in this institution, but when he regained sufficient strength, he came to North Queensland to recuperate. The mountain air at Ravenswood, it was hoped, would help towards complete recovery; for several months there were signs that he was regaining his health. However, about two months ago Father O'Connell contracted dengue fever, which diminished his strength; he was taken to hospital in Ayr, where he died well prepared and fully resigned to God's will. In his last days, Fr. O'Connell was attended by Very Rev. Dr. Kelly, at whose hands he received the last Sacraments, and was visited by His Lordship, Dr. Ryan, and the Priests of neighbouring parishes. Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Dr. Kelly in the Sacred heart Church, Ayr, on Monday, July 6th; after Mass the remains were laid to rest in the Ayr Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

Solemn Requiem at Ayr
On Thursday morning, July 23rd, a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church, Ayr, for the repose of the soul of Father James O'Connell. His Lordship, the Most Rev. H.E. Ryan, D.D., Bishop of Townsville, presided. The celebrant was Right Rev. Monsignor T. Grogan, P.P. (Ingham); Deacon was Rev. Father H. O'Twomey, Adm. (Mundingburra), and Sub-deacon, Rev. Fr. P. Naughton, P.P. (Home Hill). Rev. Fr. V. Vandeleur, Adm. (Cathedral), was Master of Ceremonies. The following Priests were present: Very. Rev. Fathers K.J. Kelly (Ayr), T.A. Sweeney (Giru), F.T. Kelly (Chaplain R.A.A.F.); Rev. Fathers V. Monckton (Proserpine), B. Foster (Kolijo), O. Rush (Bowen), J. Sheedy (West End), J. Hegarty (Abergowrie), and K. Martell (Ayr). The Gregorian Requiem was devotionally rendered by St. Francis' Convent School Choir.

The panegyric was preached by his Lordship, the Bishop of Townsville, who said:
"To-day we gather around the Altar of the living God to honour the memory of Father James O'Connell, and to offer up the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of his soul. The strikingly beautiful ceremonies of the Requiem Mass are a proof to us of how tenderly our Holy Mother the Church cares for her departed children. The solemn and stately ceremonies of the Mass for the Dead express in a remarkable manner Catholic doctrine in regard to those of the faithful, who pass from amongst us through the portals of death. For them Mother Church has a tender loving solicitude. They are still her beloved children, and she reaches out to them the hand of assistance, for they may still be travellers on the way in the cleansing fires of Purgatory.

"For all her faithful departed Mother Church has an undying love, but for her Priests, the captains of her mighty spiritual army, she has a special and affectionate remembrance. To them she gives the full honours of her impressive ritual. Hence we come to Ayr to-day, Bishop and Priests of the Diocese of Townsville—in the spirit of Catholic charity and loyalty—to join with you, dearly beloved, in discharging this duty towards Father O'Connell, whose mortal remains rest here among those of your own departed loved ones. On the day of his burial, July 6th, the Priests of the Diocese had foregathered, for their annual Retreat, and it was impossible to have a full gathering of Priests at Ayr on that day. At this, the first opportunity that presented itself, we have come to pay our tribute of love and respect to a Priest who, in a short two years in which he was amongst us, has captured the hearts of those with whom he came in contact.

"Just over two years ago Fr. O'Connell came to the Diocese in the hope that the salubrious climate of North Queensland would restore him to health. He set himself with resolute will to observe all those exacting conditions helpful to recovery. He was a singularly docile patient, determined to become well again if it were God's Holy Will. But, despite his unremitting watch over himself and the help of his medical advisers, and the devoted attention of the Sisters of Mercy at Ravenswood, the fatal malady increased its hold on him, and he finally passed away on the night of July 4th.

"Father O'Connell was endowed by nature with many attractive qualities of striking appearance, he possessed great charm of manner. Quiet, unassuming, resolute in will, he had set himself a very definite course in life. These natural qualities were enriched and ennobled by Divine Grace. In consequence, his priestly character was outstanding. His future at the time of his ordination, must surely have given great promise of splendid work for God and souls. Even after he came to this Diocese, when his health was sadly broken, he busied himself about the spiritual and temporal welfare of the Parish of Ravenswood—now the remnant only of a once flourishing mining district. Father O'Connell worked quietly amongst the few people remaining there, and his efforts were attended with remarkable results. Moreover, he restored the Church badly in need of repair, beautified it, and left it a monument to his zeal for the glory of God and the beauty of His House. The quiet determination of this gentle Priest exercised a wonderful influence on those who knew him.

"The last few weeks of his life were spent in Ayr, whither he had come to seek hospital treatment. Here, under the devoted care of Dr. Kelly and Father Martell, strengthened for the last journey by the Sacraments of the Church, he passed to his eternal reward. He has left behind him the fragrant memory of a sterling young Priest who made an heroic effort to regain his health, that he might labour the longer for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. God has been pleased, however, to accept the sacrifice of his life whilst still he was in the morning freshness of his priestly zeal. Though his years of service were few, I am sure they were rich in merit and the Master has taken him to Himself.

"To his sorrowing relatives in distant Ireland, and in Australia, I extend the sympathy of the Priests and people of the Diocese of Townsville. Though far from those loved ones of his native soil, he was not friendless and alone, for he died amongst kind friends who lavished upon him their devoted care. To the Bishop, Priests and people of the Diocese of Goulburn, I would like also to express the sympathy of this Diocese. They have been deprived by death of a splendid Priest and zealous fellow-worker.

"Finally, I would like to thank the good Sisters of Mercy of Ravenswood, for their unbounded charity and kindness to the late Father O'Connell, Monsignor McLaughlin, and the Priest of Charters Towers, who did so much for him, and particularly Dr. Kelly, who, with Father Martell, was constantly in attendance with him during the last days of his illness. To the Doctor and Nurses of the Delta Hospital, for unfailing attention to him, I express my gratitude.

"May the example of Christian patience and fortitude of this young Irish Priest be an inspiration to us, and may his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen."

Requiem at Goulburn
In Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral, on Wednesday, July 8th, a Solemn Requiem Mass was offered for the late Father O'Connell. His Lordship, Bishop McGuire, presided and was assisted at the throne by Very Rev. Dean H. Devine (Young), and Rev. F. Carson (Gunning). The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Father Bouchier, and Deacon and Sub-Deacon, Rev. Fathers Downey and O'Hurley; the Master of Ceremonies was Very Rev. Fr. J. Blakeney, Adm.

The Panegyric was delivered by his Lordship, Dr. McGuire, who paid a splendid tribute to the young Priest whose loss they mourned. His Lordship said:

This young Priest was a great loss to this diocese. He was a tall straight figure of a man and he had a tall straight mind. His outlook was always definite and clear and his will clung to high ideals. His mind soon awakened to the beauty of Christian teaching for mankind, his generous will dedicated his life to Christ in early youth. He never lost this realisation and never swerved from his determination to serve God's cause fully as a Catholic Priest. He had a simple courage that always kept him headed straight for his objective and his very objective was a priestly one. When serious illness stopped his dedicated labours, he simply faced illness with prayer and resignation following his doctor's directions with meticulous patience. On partial recovery his joy was great and centred in the thought that soon he could resume his pastoral duties. I saw him last year in North Queensland. His interest touched upon every work in the diocese and he spoke always of his hope of recovery. I said to him on parting, that one must be ready to do God's will as one's first spiritual work. He smiled happily and said: "I'm always praying that I might be able to do that."

The time came for the complete dedication to God, that death brings when it is holy. It found his gallant heart and powerful will completely sanctioned by prayer and one with God's Will. He gave up his home, his parents, his country, for Christ's work in our country. All was sacrifice willingly made with great hopes of many devoted years of priestly work. He has died a young, holy Priest not able to fulfil all the generous hopes of the life he thought to spend here. But when he died a holy death he made again a great sacrifice and all of his sacrifices were for the love of God and his neighbour, and we feel sure indeed Our Lord will reward him.

We offer our sympathy to his bereaved parents and relatives, and with them across the seas, we are united in praying—"May his soul rest in peace."