Fr Patrick John Kinsella sm, Marist Messenger, 1 March 2017, https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2017/03/01/fr-patrick-john-kinsella-sm/, accessed on 5 January 2026:

Fr Paddy Kinsella sm
Born in Feilding, 26 June 1927
Professed 2 February 1948
Ordained 26 July 1952
Died at Silverstream, 2 December 2016

Thanks to Fr Christopher Martin sm, for this edited version of his eulogy.

I have long respected Paddy as a tuakana, an elder brother, as a Marist confrere but most especially as a friend. Over the years he often gave me sound advice and great support.

Something is profound when you remember when and where you first met someone. And even the conversation. It was like that for me with Paddy.

The Centenary of St Joseph’s Church in Wakefield was in May 1970. I was a third former at Silverstream and was an Altar boy at the Jubilee Mass. It was also the first time I met a Cardinal (McKeefry) and I was in awe of him.

In talking to Paddy I remember his friendliness. I felt at ease talking to him. Of course he knew all the Marists. Little did I know then how our lives would pan out.

At the time Paddy was stationed in Nelson, his first appointment after Hato Pāora. He was the last Marist to be Parish Priest in Nelson. It was a big change, moving from Hato Pāora after so many years, a sign of Paddy’s openness and generosity to take on the different things he was asked to do, which happened again and again throughout his life.

Of his association with Māori ministry, Paddy said that “this involvement with another culture has been immensely enriching, and had become the love of my life.” Indeed – involvement with iwi Māori was a major thread in Paddy’s life and ministry beginning in Feilding and throughout the country.

As a young priest he learnt te Reo Māori. He was involved with carving. The bell tower and the notice board outside the Chapel are the results of his work.

Paddy was big in stature and big of heart. Most of all he was always showed a real human warmth, his spiritual life was very important to him, and he made a constant effort to keep himself updated in Church teaching and spirituality.

In his ministry in parishes Paddy was a builder of churches – St Mary’s Whanganui, St Anne’s Manurewa and the new St Mary’s in Ōtaki. Most of all, though, he was a people person - jovial, friendly and caring. His focus was relating to people and building up the faith communities.

Golf was a great hobby for Paddy throughout his life. He was one of a group of priests, among them Monsignors Mick Carroll, Tom Duffy, John Carde along with Father Gordy Kerins and others, who went on an annual golfing holiday, often to Taupo. One year they had such a raucous time that they were not invited back, as the neighbours complained about the noise!

Paddy was always open to new things, taking on whatever he was asked to do, happily and willingly. Only within the last year did he finish as Superior of the community of retired Marists at Windsor Terrace in Taradale after 11 years.

Again, this is a great example of his generosity. Paddy is a wonderful role model for us all, of a life lived to the full.

No reira e Pā, toku hoa – tēnei he honore ki a koe. Haere koe ki tō moengaroa. Haere ki te oranga tonutanga me te Māramatanga mutunga kore. E Mere, arahina tō tamaiti ki te kainga tuturu mo te tangata. Haere atu rā.

Appointments:
1953 - 1963 Hato Pāora College, Feilding
1963 - 1964 Second Novitiate
May 1964 - 1969 Hato Pāora College
1970 Nelson, assistant priest
1971 - 1972 Nelson, Parish Priest and Superior
1973 - 1977 Whanganui, Parish Priest and Superior
1978 - 1980 Porirua Māori Mission, Superior
1978 - 1981 Vicar-Provincial
1981 - 1983 Manawatu, Māori Pastoral Care, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish for 9 months
1981 - 1983 Highden Novitiate, Superior in 1982
1983 Vice-Superior till May, then renewal overseas
1984 - 1991 Manurewa, Parish Priest and Superior
1991 - 1997 Ōtaki, Parish Priest and Superior
1997 St Mary’s, Greenmeadows, Superior and Māori Pastoral Care
1998 - 2000 Kura Tau Mission with Pa Hemi Hekiera
2001 - 2003 Te Kuiti, Parish Priest and Superior, part of Kura Tau Mission
2004 - 2015 Taradale Community, Superior
2015 October - Marian Court
2016 November - Home of Compassion, Silverstream