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Rev John Dunne

Title:

Rev

First Name:

John

Middle Names:

Thomas

Preferred Name:

Surname:

Dunne

Order:

Date of Birth:

1824

Place of Birth:

Callan, Co Kilkenny

Country of Birth:

Ireland

Date of Ordination:

26-Dec-1854

Place of Ordination:

Carlow

Country of Ordination:

Ireland

Ordination Diocese:

Sydney

Seminary:

Carlow College, Carlow, Ireland

Date of Death:

12-Nov-1867

Place of Death:

Manly, Sydney NSW

Country of Death:

Australia

Date of Burial:

14-Nov-1867

Place of Burial:

Petersham NSW; probably reinterred at Rookwood

Country of Burial:

Australia

Find A Grave URL:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/232348850

Appointments Table

Diocese
Place
Role
Start Day
Start Month
Start Year
End Day
End Month
End Year
Source
Sydney ArmidaleDec1855Nov1860Freeman's Journal, 16 November 1867; TW Campbell, Necrology
Sydney St Benedict's, SydneyNov1860Jul1861Freeman's Journal, 13 July 1861;TW Campbell, Necrology
Sydney SingletonJul1861Nov1862Freeman's Journal, 13 July 1861; Sydney Morning Herald, 22 November 1862; TW Campbell, Necrology
Sydney West Maitland18621863Sydney Morning Herald, 22 November 1862, 19 February 1863
Sydney Raymond Terrace1863Aug1865Empire, Sydney, 2 October 1863; Freeman's Journal, 12 August 1865; TW Campbell, Necrology
Sydney PenrithAug1865Nov1867Freeman's Journal, 12 August 1865, 16 November 1867
Items per page:
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Biographical Notes

Roman Catholic Church, The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, 25 July 1857, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189959009:

The Roman Catholic inhabitants of Grafton, Clarence River, are hereby informed that the Rev. J. F. [sic] Dunne will officiate at the Catholic Church, South Grafton, on the Forenoon of Sunday, the 2nd of August next.

During the subsequent weeks he will likewise hold Divine Service at the following places, viz.: Tabulam, Casino, Richmond Heads, &c., &c., including many of the principal stations in both the Clarence and Richmond Districts.
Armidale, July 24, 1857

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Abstract of the Public Accounts for the Colony of New South Wales, for the year 1860, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 June 1861, p 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13056534:

Roman Catholic Church [...] Armidale: Rev. Timothy McCarthy, £150, Rev. J.T. Dunne, £40 [...]

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Rev. J. Dunne, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 13 July 1861, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115759266:

The. Rev. Father Hanley, late of Singleton, having been appointed to the Yass mission, His Grace the Archbishop has sent Father Dunne to replace him in that locality. Father Dunne arrived in the colony about eight years ago, and at once proceeded to assist Rev. T. McCarthy in the extensive and important district of New England. A few months ago he was removed to Sydney, where he has been assisting Father Corish in the parish of St. Benedict's. The mission of Singleton being a very extensive one, and requiring a vast amount of riding, Father Dunne is well suited to it, having spent most of his time in the bush, and being well used to a country life.

The Wagga Wagga Express says, that it has been informed on good authority that the Deanery of Goulburn, lately held by the Very Rev. R. Walsh, is about to be transferred to Yass, the Rev. Father Hanley to be appointed Dean. This ecclesiastical arrangement has also been named to us as being about to be, if not already made.

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Changes in the Roman Catholic Church, Sydney Mail, 15 November 1862, p 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166693355:

We are informed, from a reliable source, that the following changes are about to take place. [...] The Rev. Mr. Dunne is to be stationed in West Maitland, with the Rev. Mr. Phelan, under Dean O'Connell; whilst the Rev. Mr. Murphy, from Carcoar, will replace the former at Singleton.—Armidale Express, November 8.

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To the Editor of the Herald, Sydney Morning Herald, 22 November 1862, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13237619:

Sir—In your summary of to-day, when referring to the several changes that have taken place in the Roman Catholic Church, you state that the Rev. Dean O'Connell is appointed Dean of Maitland, in place of Dean Lynch, and the Rev. J. Dunne, of Singleton, is to be stationed under Dean O'Connell. As this statement is wholly incorrect, and first made on the authority of some envious correspondent in the Armidale Express, I hope you will permit me to state the true facts of the case. The Rev. Dean O'Connell is not appointed Dean of all Maitland, but merely of East Maitland. The Rev. J. Dunne is not to be subordinate to Dean O'Connell, but is appointed to the mission of West Maitland, instead of Dean Lynch, having as his subordinate the Rev. Mr. Phelan.
I am, Sir, yours truly,
B.
November 21.

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Marriages, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 February 1863, p 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13074467:

Spear—Healy—January 26th, at St. John's Church, West Maitland, by the Rev. J. T. Dunne, and afterwards at St. Mary's Church, by the Rev. R. Chapman, William, youngest son of Arthur Spear, Esq., of Holymount, near Dublin, Ireland, to Catherine Elizabeth, third daughter of the late Mr. Nicholas Healy, of Maitland.

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Funeral Obsequies of the Reverend Father Bernard Murphy, Empire, Sydney, 2 October 1863, p 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60549240:

Yesterday morning masses for the soul of the Rev. Father Murphy, deceased, were celebrated at 8, half-past 8, 9, and 10 o'clock, in the Catholic chapel of Singleton, and at 11 o'clock a solemn dirge was chaunted. The building was densely crowded and many were unable to obtain admission. After the dirge, mass was sung by the Very Rev. S. A. Sheehy, V.G., the following clergymen being present at the office, and taking part in the ceremonial, viz.:—the Venerable Archdeacon McEncroe, the Very Rev. J. Keating, the Rev. A. Phelan, of Maitland, the Rev. J. Kenny, of East Maitland, the Rev. J. Dunne, of Raymond Terrace, the Rev. R. Cusse, of Newcastle, and the Rev. J. Maher, of Wollombi. [...]

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Clerical Changes, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 12 August 1865, p 503, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115453719:

The Rev. J. T. Dunne who has lately been stationed at Raymond Terrace, has been appointed to the district of Penrith, which for some time past has been without a resident clergyman. Until further arrangements Raymond Terrace will be attended by the neighbouring clergy.

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Deaths, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 November 1867, p 1, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13153152:

On the 12th instant, at Manly Beach, the Rev. J. T. Dunne, Parish Priest of Penrith, after a long and painful illness. Requiescat in pace.

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Death of the Rev. J. T. Dunne, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 16 November 1867, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119440484:

The death of an Irish missionary priest is not a very unusual occurrence. There is scarcely a country on the face of the habitable globe where the successors of Columbkille have not laboured and laid down life in the service of the Cross. Some of them fall in the bloom of manhood, and others pass to their reward with the snows of many winters on their head ; but, whether their years of toil in the Vineyard be few or many, the love of their flocks accompanies them to the grave, and lives after them in the heartfelt prayers offered for the eternal repose of their souls. Here in Australia we have had many instances of the young and vigorous, and of the old and time-worn servants of the Lord breathing their last among us, far away from the land of their birth and the home of their affections. Perhaps one of the saddest of those partings is the latest—that of the Rev. J. T. Dunne, who passed into a happier and better world, after a protracted and a painful illness, on Tuesday last. The few particulars which we could gather of his life and labours among us, we subjoin, beseeching all to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

The Rev. Father Dunne was 38 years of age, and, like most of his fellow-priests in the British colonies, he claimed Ireland as his birth-place, having been born in Callan, County of Kilkenny. At a very early age he showed dispositions which indicated that he was chosen by the Almighty for the service of the altar, and his pious parents in order to cherish this feeling, sent him when very young to a school in his native place, conducted by a community of Augustinians. Here he remained a few years giving every satisfaction to his superiors, until he was removed to the diocesan college of Kilkenny, where he went through the necessary classical course to fit him for the higher studies, which were to prepare him for the priesthood. With age the same happy dispositions increased, until he was convinced that his lot was cast among the few who are to labor for the spiritual benefit of their fellow-beings. While pursuing his studies he began to experience a desire to devote himself to foreign missions, and when the moment of choice arrived he willingly sacrificed country, friends and relatives, and decided to attach himself to the mission of New South Wales. For this purpose he entered the Missionary College of Carlow, where for five years he studied his theology and prepared himself by prayer and study for his future life. He was ordained at the close of 1854, by the late Right Rev. Dr. Healy, Bishop of Kildare, and Leighlin; the successor to the celebrated and talented J. K. L., Bishop Doyle. After a few weeks spent in visiting his friends and preparing for the voyage, Father Dunne embarked for Australia and arrived in Sydney in 1855, in company with Fathers Birch and White, both of whom are now engaged on this mission. On his landing he was at once sent to assist his former college companion, the Rev. T. McCarthy of Armidale, where he was principally occupied in ministering to the spiritual wants of the Catholics of the northern portion of New England, and the districts of the Clarence and Richmond Rivers. After passing six years in the labor of this extensive mission he was appointed first to the Singleton and afterwards to the important district of West Maitland. Apparently of a robust constitution, the privations and hardships of so many years of bush life had told against his constitution, and while in West Maitland the symptoms of the disease which eventually terminated in his death began to show themselves. After a few months of suffering his medical advisers recommended a change of air, and as the mission of Penrith was vacant he was appointed to it in hopes that his health would improve in that salubrious district, lying at the foot of the Blue Mountains. The disease was too deep seated and baffled all the skill of the doctor, and slowly but surely Father Dunne was sinking under the consumption which was destroying his vital organs. Very often he was unable to perform his spiritual duties and latterly he has been compelled to have the assistance of a fellow-priest. A few months since symptoms of an enlargement of the liver began to show themselves and greatly aggravated the original disease. Three weeks ago he was seized with a more serious attack than on any previous occasion and was visited by his Grace the Archbishop, who recommended his removal for a few days to Manly Beach. He followed the advice and went to reside at the Clarendon Hotel, Manly Beach, kept by the Misses Horner, where he received every care and attention. Dr. Gilhooly visited him there and did all that medical skill could to alleviate his sufferings. His days were, however, numbered, for on yesterday week the symptoms became alarming, and his friends could see that he had not many days to live. He was daily visited by some of the clergy and by none oftener than his fellow labourer and college companion, Father McCarthy of St. Benedict's. His Grace the Archbishop also went to Manly to see him. During his parting hours he received the last rites of the Church from the hands of Father Callahan McCarthy the resident priest of Manly Beach, and during the afternoon of Tuesday last he calmly expired, and gave up his soul into the hands of its Maker.

The funeral services for the repose of his soul took place in St. Mary's Cathedral on Thursday morning to which place the body had been removed the previous evening. The altar pillars and ornaments within the sanctuary and as far as the pulpit were wrapped in dark drapery. The seats in the centre of the building facing the altar were removed and the coffin was covered with a pall on which rested the chalice and other sacred vessels emblematic of the sacred office held by deceased. The melancholy decorations of the cathedral were carried out by Mr. Mullins, of the Labour Bazaar, and were eminently suited to the sad occasion. On Thursday morning at nine o'clock the solemn dirge and Requiem Mass were celebrated in presence of a very large congregation of the faithful. The Mass was celebrated by the Right Rev. the Vicar-General with Fathers Patrick O'Farrell and Athy as deacon and sub-deacon.

His Grace occupied his throne on the Gospel side of the altar, and was attended by the Very Rev. Dean Rigney and the Very Rev. J. F. Sheridan. The following clergy were within the Sanctuary : — Venerable Archdeacon McEncroe, Rev. Fathers Luckie, Forde, Crone, Hewitt, T. McCarthy, W. J. Johnson, G. F. Dillon, C. McCarthy, Dr. Quirk, M. J. Dwyer, N. Woolfrey, P. O'Farrell, P. Newman, J. Garavel, J. Byrne, P. Fitzpatrick, J. Kenny, O'Connell, P. O'Reily, Mounier, Cunninghame, and D'Ackerman. When Mass was over the absolution was pronounced, after which the funeral procession proceeded along Park-street into George-street on to the Petersham Cemetery. Most of the Catholics along the line of procession had their shops closed as a mark of respect to the deceased. The procession was headed by the cross-bearer and the Juvenile Guild, followed by the members of the guild walking two by two ; after them came the Archbishop's carriage, containing his Grace and the Vicar-General, next the hearse and mourning coaches, with a large number of private carriages. Arrived at the Cemetery, Petersham, the last prayers were read by the Very Rev. the Vicar-General, when the earthly remains of the good Father Dunne were consigned to their final resting place. The funeral was conducted in a most efficient manner by Mr. James Curtis, of Hunter-street.

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Town News, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 30 November 1867, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119438880:

We understand that the Rev. Dean Hanly, of Yass, is to succeed the Rev. J. T. Dunne, at Penrith, in the Archdiocese of Sydney.

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TW Campbell, The Priests of the Diocese of Armidale: A Necrology, Braddon ACT, 2005, p 32:
Dunne, John Thomas

Born in 1824 in Callan, Co Kilkenny. Details of education unknown. He studied at Carlow from 1849 to 1854, and was ordained at Carlow on 26 December 1854 for the Sydney Archdiocese. He arrived in Sydney in November 1855 and was attached almost immediately to Timothy McCarthy (qv) who was then based in Armidale. He remained in the region until November 1860, when he was transferred to St Benedict's, Sydney. In July 1861 he moved to Singleton to replace James Hanly (qv), who had been moved to Yass. His subsequent moves were to Maitland, then Raymond Terrace 1863-1865, then finally to Penrith. He died in Penrith on 12 November 1867, aged 36, and is buried at Petersham.

Reproduced by permission of Tom Campbell.

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