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 Sydney (Syd) Charles Kattie, died 4 Sep 2004

Fr Syd Kattie was born in Brisbane on 15th April 1922, the son of Reuben Charles Kattie and Hilda Alice Martindale. He had 2 brothers, Roger and Neil. His early education was undertaken at the Mercy Convent School Sandgate, Holy Angels and St. Saviour's Toowoomba. He continued on at St. Mary's CBC Toowoomba where he completed his secondary education.
On the completion of his school days and after spending a few months at the Preparatory Seminary of St. Columba's at Springwood NSW, he left for Rome on 26th August 1939, on board the Italian motor vessel "Romolo". The ship went missing for 17 days after it left Sydney and turned up eventually in Freemantle. He commenced his studies at Propaganda College in Rome and remained there during the hectic years which saw the Italian entry into the war. He often recounted his experiences in Italy during the Second World War and he had a fund of stories about that period.
He was ordained in Rome on 8th July 1945 by Archbishop Traglia.
Fr Kattie returned to Toowoomba in November 1945 and his first appointment was to St Patrick's Cathedral. In February 1949 he was appointed to Stanthorpe where he remained until July 1953. During 1951 he spent six months as Priest in Charge at Texas while Fr. Bill Murphy was away. Further appointments were to Holy Name Toowoomba North in August 1953, Miles (1954), Chinchilla (1955), Miles (Oct 1955), Wallumbilla (Sept 1956), Inglewood/Yelarbon (Feb 1957), and Goondiwindi in 1969. In 1974, Fr Kattie was appointed the first Parish Priest of the newly formed parish of Sacred Heart, Wilsonton. In July 1976 he went to Stanthorpe as Parish Priest and to South Headland W.A. in 1981.
In September 1946, he was appointed the Diocesan Chaplain of the Catholic Scouts. Fr Kattie was involved in and highly regarded in the Scouting Movement and attained the status of Queen's Scout. While stationed in Inglewood, he became The District Commissioner for scouting in the Border Rivers District. He was a Leader in the Scouting Movement and his name was "Sharda". He has been described by people in the movement as "quite a character", "a fantastic fellow", "very popular" and he was very much respected. Under his direction, the Scout Olympics began in the district in 1964 to give boys some competition in sport. The Olympics continued until 1999.
Many people remember the young priest driving around in the Humber Supersnipe he loved well. They describe him as quite a character, a "fantastic fellow" who was very popular and respected, a pastor whose depth of compassion and faith to families and relatives of victims of a fatal train smash in Wallumbilla parish in 1956 have never been forgotten.
He returned to Toowoomba in 1987 lived privately first before retiring to Lourdes Home, Toowoomba in 1998.
A man well ahead of his times, he made application to the appropriate Vatican authorities to place the Parish and new Church in Inglewood under the patronage of the new, and uniquely, Australian title, our Lady of the Southern Cross. He composed a hymn to Our Lady of The Southern Cross which was played at his funeral.
He was a talented and colourful pastor. He was one of the most extraordinary Priests the Diocese has ever known. He was incisive, sharp and quick-witted.
He was a priest with a vision for the Church and after Vatican II did his utmost to promulgate its teachings. This was often done under difficult and trying conditions.
He was interested in ecumenism long before it was fostered in the Diocese and related well to Ministers from other Faith Traditions.
Whilst at Holy Name he toured Western parishes for approximately 6 months collecting for St. Leo's and Duchesne Colleges at Queensland University.
After he retired, he led Scripture discussion groups on the New Testament at St. Theresa's Parish. He used the Journey Programme as a basis for these discussions. Many lay people attended these discussions and would attest to their value. He was a fluent Italian speaker and loved theatre. At least one of his own plays, Salome, was produced in Stanthorpe during his term there.
Whilst in Goondiwindi in 1971, he became very involved in the Cursillo Movement and encouraged and promoted this Faith Renewal process from its earliest days in the Toowoomba Diocese. Many active lay leaders in the Diocese today, acknowledge Fr. Kattie's encouragement in the renewal movement.
He relied on lay people for support and there are many who happily recall their contact with him.
In recent years, Fr Kattie has not enjoyed good health and died on 4th September at Lourdes Home, Toowoomba aged 82. His Funeral Mass took place at St Patrick's Cathedral at 11.30am on Friday 10th September. He was buried at The Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance.
(Ref Dioc. Archives)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.