Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Donnelly, Bernard (HAZ)

Missionary, mission superior, novice master, administrator; born Christchurch, New Zealand, 22 February 1933; died St Stanislaus Community, Hazaribag, India, 16 February 2017, aged 83.

Bernard Joseph Donnelly was educated by the Sisters of Mercy in Papanui, Christchurch, and then at the Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch. From there he joined the Jesuits at Loyola College, Watsonia, Australia, in 1952. After philosophy studies, he was appointed to the Hazaribag Region, India, together with Bob Slattery and Tom Lees, in 1958. During theology studies he was ordained by Archbishop Pius Kerketta SJ, 26 March 1966, in the chapel of St Stanislaus College.

In the four years before tertianship, Donnelly had appointments in Bokaro Thermal parish, assisting famine relief in Daltonganj, as assistant in the Giridih parish and Hazaribag, manager for the newly established St Xavier's, Bokaro Steel City, assistant in Bhurkunda, and superintendent of the hostel at the Teachers' Training Institute, while teaching English in the juniorate.

Donnelly was appointed superior of the Hazaribag Region in 1974, a post in which he was appreciated for his quiet courtesy and pastoral good sense that made him an acceptable administrator and guide. In 1980 he was appointed to start a noviciate for the region and the Jamshedpur province. As a disciple of General Pedro Arrupe, he believed that novices should be trained for the apostolate rather than for monastic life. This approach was not always appreciated by older Jesuits, which resulted in the appointment of a new novice master and moving the noviciate from Lupungutu to Jamshedpur.

His next appointment was as principal of St Xavier's, Hazaribag. In his eight years at the college, he rationalised salaries, started computer studies, set up a Managing Committee along CBSE lines and revived the past students' association.

In 1995, Donnelly was appointed socius to the provincial, a position he held for nearly 20 years under four provincials. Ill health forced him to retire in 2014.

Father Bill Dwyer in an appreciation of Donnelly's life in India, mentioned Donnelly's production of Mosbar, the anti-mosquito repellent produced by the Holy Cross Sisters in Belatand. He always encouraged anyone who came to him for help, and was very approachable and friendly, giving his visitor full attention, and always the wise counsellor.

Six years before his death, Donnelly was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease which he accepted calmly. This slowed him down and eventually forced him into retirement, finally moving to the St Stanislaus infirmary. Finally, following a fall, and a subsequent operation, he died quietly attended by medical staff and members of the Jesuit community.

Dwyer concluded his eulogy praising Donnelly for his fruitful work in parishes, education, formation work and administration. He was an all-rounded Jesuit, available for any task requested. He was loved and admired for the way he endured his illness. The chapel of St Stanislaus College was crowded for the funeral celebrated by Bishop Gabriel Kujur SJ, with Bob Slattery preaching a heartfelt panegyric. Many religious, friends and past students came to farewell an exemplary Jesuit and a well-loved, good man. Friends, Shishir and Dhruv, described Donnelly as 'such a peaceful and understanding person, patient, affectionate, and persevering in all he did'. They further praised his leadership qualities and missionary vision in leading communities to new horizons.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)