Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Michael Morris, died 28 Nov 1907

Born in Ireland. Served in Brisbane (The Valley), Warwick (1882), Roma (1884-1886) and Charleville (1883, 1888). Died in Port Said 1907.
(Ref. Linane M130 and Pugh's)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.

---

Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, p 130:
Fr Michael Morris

Fr Morris was a popular priest at St Patrick's in the Valley who died at Port Said when returning from a visit to his native Ireland.

Michael Morris was born on 22 October 1854, in the townland of Carricknaguirk, parish Collumbkill, county Longford, near the borders of Leitrim and Cavan counties. He was educated at the local national school until he commenced the study of classics. He first went to a private classical school, conducted by Mr J O'Reilly; afterwards he proceeded to St Mary's School, Moyne, which was then just established by the distinguished Bishop of the diocese of Ardagh, Dr Conroy, and conducted by a brilliant and learned young man, Fr James Duffy. In 1875 he entered St Patrick's College Carlow and was ordained priest on 22 May 1880 . . . On Sunday 7 November in the same year he arrived in Brisbane.(1)

Soon after his arrival he was posted to Warwick where he remained for two and a half years. He spent eleven months in Barcoo country during a time of great drought. He appointed to Roma where he spent two and a half years. In 1887 he was placed as priest-in-charge of the newly established mission of Charleville which was extensive. That parish extended to the western border with South Australia. On 8 March 1889 Fr Morris was appointed in charge of St Patrick's in Fortitude Valley.(2) He spent 1901 as administrator of Maryborough while Fr Philip Brady was visiting Ireland. He celebrated his silver jubilee of ordination at St Patrick's on 22 May 1905 prior to a visit to his native Ireland.

News of his death was reported in the Brisbane press:

The news of the death of the late Father Michael Morris, who for some 20 years fulfilled the duties of priest in connection with St Patrick's Church, Valley, will no doubt come as a great shock to his parishioners and also to many others… For some considerable time Father Morris has been a martyr to asthmatic trouble, and acting on the advice of his medical adviser and other friends, some six months or so ago he determined to visit his native land. On the eve of his departure he was presented with a purse of sovereigns by his devoted flock… It was known that the deceased priest was returning to Australia by the RMS Aruba, which vessel left London on 15th November last, and arrived at Pinkenba on 2nd January. Due preparations, therefore, were made to give him a fitting reception… Little did the committee or indeed anyone else in Brisbane then dream that at that very time, the remains of their late beloved priest were resting in an Egyptian burial ground. Indeed, it was not until the arrival of the steamer at Pinkenba that the sad intelligence was received in Brisbane. Despite the skill and attention of the ship's surgeon, Dr Amy, it appears the late Father Morris passed away, and his remains were interred in the burial ground at the canal-side city, which is situated on the barren strip of land which lies between Lake Menzalch, from the canal.(3)

A memorial, in St Patrick's church was unveiled by Archbishop Dunne on 2 May 1909:

In memory of Rev Fr Michael Morris, pastor of this church for 20 years, who died at Port Said on 28th November, 1907, after visiting his native land. R I P. Hic est sacerdos quem coronavit Dominus.(4)

Footnotes
1. Brisbane Courier, 29 Apr 1905, p. 12. (An article on St Patrick's Church the Valley)
2. Ibid.
3. Week, Brisbane, 10 Jan 1908, p. 26.
4. Telegraph, Brisbane, May 3, 1909, p. 5.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.