Rev Maurice Fitzgerald SJ
Title:
Rev
First Name:
Maurice
Middle Names:
Joseph
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Fitzgerald
Order:
SJ
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Waterford
Country of Birth:
Ireland
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Brisbane QLD
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Nudgee, Brisbane QLD
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Biographical Notes
Not listed in A Prayer-Calendar of Deceased Priests & Deacons in Australia 1788-2009, compiled by W.T. Southerwood, Sixth Edition, 2009.
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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Fitzgerald, Maurice
Pastor; born Waterford, Ireland, 28 March 1907; died Brisbane, 16 October 1996, aged 89.
Maurice Fitzgerald was educated by the Christian Brothers, Waterford, and entered the Society at Tullabeg, Ireland, 31 August 1923, and completed his juniorate at the National University of Ireland, 1925-28, gaining an arts degree in Latin, English and Greek. His philosophy studies were at Chieri, Italy, and theology at Milltown Park, Ireland, 1935-39. His tertianship was undertaken at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, 1939-40, after which he worked within the parish of Gardiner Street, Dublin, before returning to Australia and parish work at Toowong, Brisbane.
His regency, 1931-35, was at St Ignatius' College, Riverview, and he returned to the college as minister, 1950-61. He was well remembered for his kindness, patience and equanimity, as well as his efficiency, and amicable Gaelic reminiscences. The boarders especially remember his supervision of the refectory and his ringing of the bell.
However, he seemed to be happiest when he went to Brisbane again in 1962 as parish priest of Toowong. He remained in Brisbane for the rest of his life, except for a short stay at Lavender Bay, North Sydney, 1972-75. After that he became chaplain at the hospital and nursing home, Nundah, Brisbane, and finally settled into the Marycrest Retirement Centre.
Fitzgerald was respected by many people for his pastoral work in preaching, in administration of the sacraments and in wise counsel, especially to many religious sisters throughout Brisbane. He was also a practical administrator, building a purpose-built school building at Toowong to replace the hall below the church. He gave great support to the parish school. He was also responsible for the building of the second church in the Toowong parish, Holy Spirit Church, Auchenflower, a very modern building designed for the new liturgy of Vatican II with Mass facing the people. He is remembered for his dedication and friendliness, his willingness to help anyone in trouble and for his interest in youth.
Yet, the new world resulted in self-doubt and anxiety for Fitzgerald, and he found that old ways did not seem appropriate for the modern church. It was the archbishop of Brisbane, Dr Rush, who came to his rescue and invited him to work as resident chaplain to the Sisters of St Joseph at Nundah. The sisters were very good to him. He said two Masses daily and gradually grew in confidence that he could preach again. He devoted his days to pastoral care of the sick, and care for his rose garden.
He died a happy and contented priest. He enjoyed the banter of Jesuit community recreation that became a feature at the weekly Jesuit gatherings in the parish of Toowong in his latter years. At the end, Fitzgerald demonstrated the validity of Christ's way and the joy of being a true Christian, as well as the value and fulfillment of the priestly life.
(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)