The Argus, Melbourne, 1 November 1880, p 5, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5979822:

Among the passengers by the Cotopaxi was the Right Rev. A. Lamaze, D. D., Bishop of Tonga and the South Sea Islands, who is taking out several French missionary priests with him to labour among the natives of those islands, where as a simple missionary, the bishop preached the gospel for the space of 17 years. There are also three sisters of the tertiary order of the Marists, who propose devoting themselves to the instruction of the young and the comfort of the dying. Twenty-two secular priests have also come to the colonies on board the Cotopaxi, two of whom are destined to labour in the Melbourne mission. All these gentlemen, with the exception of the Rev. J. Mealey, who comes from England, are sent to these colonies from Catholic Ireland, whose missionary priests are to be found in every quarter of the world. They have already received intimation of their respective missions. They are as follows:—Rev. J. O'Brien, Ballarat; Revs. Messrs. Cunnings, Hudson, Enright, and Morris, Brisbane; Rev. Father Campion, Bathurst; Revs. Messrs. Buckley, Phelan, Quirke, and O'Shaughnessy, Goulburn; Revs. Messrs. Rogers and Mealey, Maitland; Revs. Messrs Grant and Galavin, Melbourne; Revs. Messrs. Gilsman and McCarthy, Sandhurst; Revs. Messrs O'Mahoney, O'Reilly and Moriarty, Sydney; Revs. Messrs O'Callanan and Murphy, Tasmania; Revs. Messrs O'Donoll and Mulvihill, Wellington. Several other batches of missionaries will follow this large contingent.

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Muswellbrook, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 14 May 1881, p 9, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115457622:

(From our Correspondent.)
Mission.— Our zealous young clergyman, Father Rogers, has, during the past week, introduced amongst us Father Mealey of Singleton, a young man full of zeal and energy, and, like Father Rogers, a recent arrival in the colony. Father Mealey opened a mission for the benefit of the Catholics of Muswellbrook at St. James' Church on Sunday, the 1st May. He was assisted during the week in the confessional by the Rev. Father O'Leary of Scone, and by Father Rogers. On Sunday last, the 8th instant, the mission, the most successful one that has ever been given to the Catholics of Muswellbrook, was brought to a close by a powerful discourse on Perseverance, which was followed by a renewal of Baptismal vows. Father Mealey's earnestness and power as a pulpit orator rapidly travelled over the district, and the people flocked in from all directions, in several instances travelling many miles. After the last Mass every morning he addressed one of his vigorous discourses to an attentive congregation, and in the evening he followed up his admonitions by a most eloquent and practical address on the duties of man to his Creator. The church was densely crowded every evening, and the congregation was made up of people of every denomination. Father Mealey's sermon on the enormity and iniquity of sin, and his picture of the drunkard, will long be remembered by the Catholics of Muswellbrook. Many persons belonging to other denominations were visibly affected during the delivery of the sermons. On the previous week he conducted a very successful mission at Wybong, and this week he is engaged in a similar duty at Jerry's Plains. He left here on Sunday evening for the latter place, carrying with him the prayers and blessings of old and young, the latter more especially, perhaps, who had the happiness of receiving at his hands their first Communion. The impressive and beautiful instruction given by him to the children, after Communion, was listened to with feelings of piety and thankfulness, and was, from its simplicity and earnestness, calculated to have a lasting effect upon all. Before leaving we had an opportunity of admiring the beautifully cultivated voice of Father Mealey. His singing of the Tantum ergo, assisted by another gentleman, whose voice and whose knowledge of music received a considerable amount of attention and cultivation, was admired and appreciated by the entire congregation.[...]

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Daring Burglary, The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 9 June 1881, p 7, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article817865:

Another daring burglary has been added to the long list of similar depredations committed in Singleton during the past eighteen months. On this occasion a priest has been the sufferer; the next building to be operated upon will therefore probably be a church. It seems that early on Sunday morning Rev. C. Fontaine, upon rising, missed his watch and several articles of jewellery, but which he subsequently discovered lying about the floor, and on further examination found that a chest of drawers had been opened, and a sum of about £7 taken therefrom. He subsequently discovered his own keys in another room occupied by the assistant priest (Rev. J. Mealey), who happened to be absent from the presbytery that night. It seems that the thief had endeavoured to open Father Mealey's chest of drawers with the keys belonging to the other priest, but failed, and in doing so had broken one of the keys. Marks of a chisel or screwdriver were also found on the drawers, but fortunately the burglar did not succeed to force them open, as a considerable sum of money thereby escaped his grasp. It is supposed that the burglar effected an entrance by climbing up the iron verandah posts on to the balcony, and from thence forced open one of the French lights which lead on to the balcony. The police arrested a man named James Russell, who resides near the R.C. Presbytery, on Monday, on suspicion of having committed the burglary. Russell was brought before the police court on Tuesday, and remanded until the following morning.

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Marriage, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 6 July 1881, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136051826:

Kromer — Richardson. — June 21, at St. Patrick's Church, Singleton, by the Rev. J. Mealy, Philip Kromer, of Newcastle, to Sarah, youngest daughter of William Richardson, of Singleton.

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Ecclesiastical Changes, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate, 1 August 1881, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136049516:

The Rev. C. Fontaine, for many years past parish priest of the Roman Catholic Church, Singleton, has resigned his office owing to continued ill-health. Some few weeks ago the rev. gentleman was absent for a brief space on leave, in order to recruit his failing health, but unfortunately with but indifferent success. The Rev. Father Mealey, for some time curate to the Rev. Father Fontaine, has been removed to a similar position in the parish of Gunnedah, where his duties will be such as can be best undertaken by a gentleman of his active and energetic disposition. As a token of the respect and esteem entertained for them by their congregations it is proposed to present each of these rev. gentlemen with testimonials on an early date. The Rev. Father Finn, of Murrurundi, has been appointed to succeed the Rev. C. Fontaine in Singleton, while the Rev. Father Mealey's place will be filled by the Rev. Father Lynch, now of Bathurst, where he received his clerical education.—Singleton Argus.

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District News. [From Our Various Correspondents.] Broke, The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 2 August 1881, p 6,http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article818980:

It was with regret we heard of the projected departure of the Rev. Father Mealey from this district. Although his ministrations have not been of a very lengthy duration he has won the esteem of all denominations, and we heartily wish the rev. gentleman every success in his new sphere of labour.
Broke, July 29th, 1881.

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To the Editor of the Freeman's Journal, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 26 November 1881, p 17, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115455449:

[...] The Rev. Father Mealy was round this district last week and was highly pleased with the result of his mission. The rev. gentleman himself has abilities and pleasant ways that will command the respect and friendship of all classes and creeds, and we hope often to see him visit our district, as he always leaves us in a better and more charitable frame of mind than he found us. Long may he continue to dwell among us.
Rory O'Moore.
Rocky Glen, Nov. 17.

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Presentation to Father D. M. English, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 8 April 1882, p 14, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111314738:

On Thursday week a great number of people assembled at the School of Arts, Gunnedah, to witness the presentation of an address and purse of sovereigns to the Rev. D. M. English, who is about to leave the district. Evidence of the rev. gentleman's extreme popularity was demonstrated by the fact that the hall was filled with friends and well-wishers, and it was noticeable that there was a number of people present who, though not members of his flock, yet seemed as anxious as any to testify their respect and esteem for one who has for so many years worked in the district. The following gentlemen were on the platform:—The Rev. Fathers English and Mealey, [...]

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Shocking Accident at Gunnedah, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 27 May 1882, p 17, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111317940:

At six o'clock on Thursday (says the Namoi Independent of May 18) the Rev. John Mealey and Dr. Read were called to attend a poor sufferer, by name Denis Mugivan, who had been run over by the ballast train, and had thereby sustained a very severe compound fracture of the left leg. The poor fellow, lying as he did in the camp some two miles and a half away, could not be in a position to afford the medical man much chance of performing his professional duties; but, thanks to the doctor and to Father Mealey, who so ably assisted him, Denis was wonderfully relieved in a short time. However, as regards his ultimate recovery we cannot vouch. We were sorry that the Gunnedah congregation had to be deprived of the service of Father Mealey, who was due for 7 o'clock; but evidently it was very transparent that charity is the first of the Divine laws. Poor Denis was supposed to be dying, and the clergyman's services were far more necessary at his bedside, comforting him, his wife and family, than they would be at the church that is so well ministered. On Wednesday morning Dr Read, accompanied by Father Mealey and Mr. Nixon, went down to the camp, and after a further examination of the fractured limb, the injured man was placed in as comfortable a position as possible and carried on a sort of settee to the railway station. We were glad to note the amount of sympathy exhibited by the wounded man's comrades—quite a large number accompanied him to the station.

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Law Report. [...] Browne and Another v. McElhone and Others, Sydney Morning Herald, 23 August 1882, p 9, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13519098:

[...] witness asked him whether he had got much [from the will], and he said he would have to go and live at Wollombi, meaning, as witness took it, that he had not been left sufficient to keep up his expenses; on the day of the funeral Father Mealey came up to her aunt Fannie's room, where witness and aunt Fannie were; he was intoxicated; he threw himself on the bed, and knocked witness's head against her auntie's; witness said it was very frivolous of him to go on like that; this was whilst the rest of the family were down at the church.

Cross-examined: The witness said Father Mealey was curate to Father Fontaine at that time; she believed Father Fontaine had started for the funeral, but was so drunk he had fallen off his horse; Father Mealey did not want to go back to Gunnedah, and said he wished he could get a certificate from Dr. Reid; he had said this two or three times, when little Johnny Browne was sent for Dr. Reid; next day, after an interview with the doctor, Father Mealey came out and showed her uncle William a certificate, and said, "I have made it all right with Reid:" Father Mealey was still in a stupid state that morning; witness had seen so much drunkenness at Singleton that she had become a good judge of it ; she declined to answer whether she had not seen any of her own family in such a state. [...]

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T.W. Campbell, The Priests of the Diocese of Armidale: A Necrology, Braddon ACT, 2005:
Mealey, John [p 65]

Date and place of birth unknown [Ireland]. Details of education unknown. Where and when he studied for the priesthood unknown. Date and place of ordination unknown. He arrived in Melbourne on 31 October 1880, the shipping records noting the arrival of Rev John Mealey, 28, Irish, passenger to Melbourne, arrived Melbourne on Cotopaxi, which departed London on 15 September 1880. He was based at Singleton in 1881. In May 1882 he was reported as attending an injured workman in Gunnedah with the local doctor. There are no records of him after that date. Date and place of death unknown. Place of burial unknown.
(Sources: Advocate 6 Nov 1880 p 7, FJ 27 May 1882 p 17, Campbell, MDHC A-Z M78).

Healey, John J [p 42]

Listed in E J Doody, Acta et Statuta 1951, Appendix VI, Obituary List, in the section headed 'supplementary list of priests who have also worked in the diocese', but with no details other than the period he reputedly worked in the diocese, in this case 1881.
None of the available references list a priest by this name or somebody closely resembling this name living and working in New South Wales at about this time. The source that resulted in Bishop Doody's listing is unknown.
(Source: Doody, MDHC A-Z H58).

(Reproduced by permission of Tom Campbell.)