Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba, Horizons, no. 50, May 2018, p 14:
Fr Tom Keegan, by Gail Morosini

In mid April Holy Name Parish gathered for a Thanksgiving Mass and luncheon to celebrate Fr Tom Keegan's 90th birthday as well as 65 years of priestly service. It was a day to remember for Fr Keegan, his three nieces Geraldine, Pauline and Breda who travelled from Ireland joining with the Holy Name community to celebrate. The event was heralded in with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by parish priest Fr Darrell Irvine and joined by Fr John Quinlan, Fr Ray Johnson, Fr Matthew Kootianiyil, Fr Don Murray, Fr Lino Valente, Fr Pat Hall and Fr Mick Carroll.

Traditional Irish hymns were sung by the choir and wonderful resounding responses echoed through the church thanks to a crowd about 150 friends and well wishers.

The joy, happiness and goodwill continued in the Parish Hall with a wonderful morning tea courtesy of the Holy Name Care and Concern Committee. A very Irish theme filled the room with Australian and Irish f lags, green, orange and white balloons and leprechauns. There were letters and greetings for Fr Keegan from the Irish Embassy, federal and state MPs and absent friend Fr James Byrne. A delicious birthday cake was cut and the crowd sung Happy Birthday. Fr Keegan organised for a couple of his favourite Irish tunes to be played by the Webb family and Sr Margaret Norris. Many thanks to all who attended and those who sent greetings.

---

Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba, Horizons, no. 59, Advent 2020, p 4:
Fr Thomas Keegan, by Ingrid McTaggart

Fr Thomas Keegan was born at Kilbeggan County Westmeath Ireland on 13 April 1928. He was one of nine children, Sean (deceased), Br Frank CFC (deceased), Nan Shine (deceased), Sr Gemma RSM, Elizabeth Ward (deceased), Bridie Lynam (deceased), Ita Dunning (deceased) and Sr Theresa SMG, to parents John Keegan and Bridget (Daly). Fr Keegan died peacefully at St Vincent's Care Services (Lourdes Home) Toowoomba on 25 July 2020.

Fr Keegan attended Ballinagore National School Primary School and completed his secondary school studies at St Mary's Christian Brothers School Mullingar and St Theresa's Carmelite College at Castlemartyr County Cork. He entered the seminary in 1948 studying at St Patrick's College in Thurles, Ireland. Fr Keegan attended the seminary on a bursary provided by Bishop James Byrne, the first Bishop of the Toowoomba Diocese. Bishop Byrne had also studied at the seminary at Thurles.

Fr Keegan was ordained to the priesthood on 14 June 1953 by Archbishop Jeremiah Kinnane at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles. On 25 November 1953, he set off by sea to journey to Australia and start his ministry in the Toowoomba Diocese.

During his journey to Australia, Fr Keegan kept a diary from the day he departed Ireland in 1953 to the day he arrived in Toowoomba, 7 January 1954. While he notes his sadness at leaving his beloved family, Fr Keegan also describes the excitement of starting his journey upon his arrival at the docks, stating "I get a wonderful kick out of looking back on it".

Life during his month-long journey seemed pleasant and enjoyable. In his writings, Fr Keegan notes times of Masses and prayer, as well as moments of fun and joyful interaction with other travellers. He filled time by taking in the sights and sounds of the journey, parties and dances and playing various sports on deck, as well as taking the opportunity to offer the sacraments to passengers and crew.

On 26 December 1953, Fr Keegan arrived in Adelaide spending the next two weeks making his way to Queensland. From Brisbane, he took the bus to Toowoomba. Of the bus journey, Fr Keegan wrote, "Enjoyed the 80-mile trip. The scenery was beautiful." Fr Keegan was met at the bus by the Bishop's Secretary, Fr Ralph Underwood, and taken straight away to meet Bishop William Brennan, who was then Bishop of Toowoomba.

Thus began Fr Keegan's time in the Toowoomba Diocese. Fr Keegan was well travelled across the diocese, spending time in the parishes of Warwick, Cathedral, Goondiwindi, St Theresa's Toowoomba, Chinchilla, Dalby, Pittsworth, Cunnamulla, Texas and Killarney. However, Holy Name Parish Toowoomba is where he spent an almost equal amount of time. Fr Keegan spent three years in the Toowoomba parish in the late 1960s, then returned in July 1987 where he remained until June 2016 when he moved to St Vincent's Care Services (Lourdes Home).