Rev Kenneth McNamara SJ
Title:
Rev
First Name:
Kenneth
Middle Names:
Preferred Name:
Surname:
McNamara
Order:
SJ
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Sydney NSW
Country of Birth:
Australia
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
St Mary’s College, Kurseong
Country of Ordination:
India
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Sydney NSW
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Macquarie Park, Ryde NSW
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Biographical Notes
Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
McNamara, Kenneth (HAZ)
Teacher, administrator, engineer; born Sydney, 28 October 1925; died Sydney, 11 October 2017, aged 91.
Kenneth McNamara was educated by the Brigidine Sisters at Maroubra, and the Marist Brothers at Darlinghurst, Sydney. He completed a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree at Sydney University in 1947, and then took employment with the Conservation and Irrigation Department NSW. He entered the Society at Loyola, Watsonia, 14 August 1948, and following a juniorate in 1950, completed philosophy studies at Loyola, 1951-54. Regency began in 1954 at St Ignatius' College, Norwood, SA, and then when sent to India, continued at St Xavier's, Hazaribag, January 1956-April 1957.
Theology followed at St Mary's College, Kurseong, 1957-61, being ordained on 19 March 1960 at St Mary's by Archbishop Perier. Tertianship was at St Stanislaus College, Sitagarha, directed by Father Louis Schillebeckx. He was professed at the Catholic Church, Mahuadanr, 15 August 1965.
McNamara undertook Hindi studies at Manresa House, Ranchi, 1962 and became proficient speaking the language. He also began a BA degree from Allahabad University 1963-64, completing the first part before being recalled to assume the headmastership of St Joseph's, Mahuadanr, until 1978. Here he completed a large new school building project. This new school became the hub for two other high schools, as well as 20-30 village primary schools. The modelling so impressed the government minister, that McNamara's model was introduced into other areas of the State. This was an outstanding achievement. Father Peter Jones recalled that in this venture McNamara 'inspired the whole community of this valley to rise and be a people'.
He was then principal at St Xavier's, Bokaro Steel City, 1980-1990. This was a school with more than 2000 students, with a reputation for excellence. One significant event during this time was the sequel to the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards. This resulted in anti-Sikh riots across India. Thousands of Sikhs were slaughtered. The Sikhs in Bokaro City only felt safe at St Xavier's School with McNamara. He ended up caring for 600 Sikh man, women, and children. Such was the admiration for McNamara in the City.
He was then appointed building advisor at St Xavier's, Hazaribag, 1991-92, with a year at Sitagarha, 1992-3, before returning to St Xavier's, Bokaro Steel City, as a teacher, 1994-2010.
With indifferent health, McNamara returned permanently to Australia in 2016, living at Arrupe House, Pymble, NSW. After sustaining a fall, he declined rapidly, but was cheerful and at peace to the end.
Father Phil Crotty described McNamara as having 'a brilliant mind, an enthusiasm for life, the courage to bring about change, the gift of friendship, a joyful love of the Gospel…Ken drew people to himself'.
(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)