Rev John McGrath MSC
Title:
Rev
First Name:
John
Middle Names:
Joseph
Preferred Name:
Surname:
McGrath
Order:
MSC
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Parkes NSW
Country of Birth:
Australia
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Kensington NSW
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Nguiu, Bathurst Island NT
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Appointments Table
Diocese | Place | Role | Start Day | Start Month | Start Year | End Day | End Month | End Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin | Bathurst Island | Missionary | 1927 | 1948 | Catholic Leader, 3 October 1982 | ||||
| Brisbane | Camp Hill | 1953 | 1967 | Catholic Leader, 3 October 1982 | |||||
| Sydney | Baulkham Hills | Chaplain, Joseph Sisters Novitiate | 1967 | Catholic Leader, 3 October 1982 |
Biographical Notes
Sign at St Therese's Catholic Church, Nguiu, Bathurst Island NT: "Historic Radio Room: Fr John McGrath, MSC, transmitted from this room the Warning message on the 19 February 1942 to Darwin of approaching Japanese Aircraft."
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Obituary: Fr John McGrath, Catholic Leader, Brisbane, 3 October 1982, p 4:
Fr John McGrath, MSC, who died in Sydney, was taken to Bathurst Island, Northern Territory, for burial.
This was done at the request of island Aboriginals, who wanted their "father" of 25 years to be buried among them.
Fr McGrath, who was born in the mid-west New South Wales town of Parkes, was 89.
He had been a priest for 56 years and a professed Religious in the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for 61 years.
He was assigned to the Darwin diocese after his ordination in 1926 and for the next 25 years worked on Bathurst Island.
In 1953 he was assigned to the Camp Hill parish, Brisbane. His 14 years there were marked by his untiring visitation of parishioners.
He is also remembered with affection in the Barden parish, where he helped out at weekends.
In 1967 he moved to Sydney, where he became chaplain to the Josephite Sisters' novitiate at Baulkham Hills.
He continued in this post until forced to retire by age and ill health.