Fr Frank Cresp, Good and Faithful Servants: Recalling the Spirit of the Deceased Priests of the Diocese of Port Augusta and Port Pirie 1888-2008, 2008:
O'Connor, Edmund Bradley, SJ

Born: 13/5/1918 at Yarrawonga, Victoria.
Worked in Streaky Bay late 1970s.
Died: 18/12/2000.
One of the first Jesuits on Indian Mission 1950-1969.
John Curran: "Blessed Ted"

(Reproduced with the approval of Sister Mary Cresp RSM)

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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
O'Connor, Edmund

Missionary, teacher, administrator, spiritual director; born Yarrawonga, Victoria, 13 May 1918; died Brisbane, 18 December 2000, aged 82.

Edmund O'Connor obtained his schooling with the Marist Brothers at Assumption College, Kilmore, where he was a good student and champion athlete, before he joined the Society at Loyola College, Watsonia, 3 February 1936. Apart from his ecclesiastical studies, he obtained an honours English degree from the University of Melbourne. His regency was at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, 1945-46, where he taught and had care of the boarders. He was ordained, 4 January 1950, and was appointed to India at the end of that year as one of the pioneer group to the Hazaribag mission.

He began a course of Hindi studies before appointment to St Xavier's College, Hazaribag, where he taught English until 1952 when he went to Kodaikanal for tertianship, He returned to St Xavier's as minister, treasurer and English teacher. In 1958 he was appointed parish priest of Daltonganj for two years, after which he was sent to Mahuadanr. He was a success in these appointments as he was a studious person, and he learnt a new language in each place. He picked up some Mundari in Daltonganj, and Uraon in Mahuadanr. He even gave homilies in Uraon. In 1962 he was vice-superior of the inchoate College of St Joseph, and in April was appointed to succeed Austin Kelly as superior of the Hazaribag region.

As superior, O'Connor was remembered as conscientious, courteous, a good listener, and kind, one who trusted his men and strove to get the best out of everyone. He toured constantly on motorcycle or jeep, and was renowned for his meticulous maintenance of his vehicles. In his work he was exacting in his attention to detail. For all his human qualities he found the exercise of authority irksome. In addition, he often was dogged by stomach trouble, exacerbated by difficulties during a bad famine at this time.

At the end of his term as superior he had a sabbatical in Rome during 1968, returning shortly to India helping Stephen Daly in the parish of Kanjia. During this time he negotiated a return to Australia, where he spent most of his time in retreat work and spiritual direction. He returned to teaching English, religion and geography at Xavier College, Melbourne, for one year, 1972,

O'Connor had the reputation of enjoying the contemplative life, and was sent to the parish of Sevenhill in 1973, where he built up a fine reputation for spiritual direction and retreats for fifteen years. He spent 1991 as a retreat missionary in the diocese of Toowoomba, and then settled down in the parish of Toowong, Brisbane, to continue his spiritual ministry for another eight years. He worked specially at Wesley Hospital and Stuartholme College. He projected to others a great love of life, enjoying his walks to the city and around South Bank, catching a train home. On his days off, he headed for the bush for refreshment of mind and spirit or spent time with some community.

During the last few years of his life his sight began to fail and typically, he learnt Braille. Other complications developed, but he remained in the presbytery receiving palliative care until the end. His personal holiness and spiritual wisdom helped many in their faith development.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)