John Carroll | ANZ Clergy


About Help Contact login Rev John Carroll SJ Title: Rev First Name: John Middle Names: Preferred Name: Surname: Carroll Order: SJ Date of Birth: 02-Apr-1911 Place of Birth: Walsh Island, Geashill, Co Offaly Country of Birth: Ireland Date of Ordination: Place of Ordination: Country of Ordination: Ordination Diocese: Seminary: Date of Death: 20-Jan-1957 Place of Death: Brisbane QLD Country of Death: Australia Date of Burial: 1957 Place of Burial: Nudgee, Brisbane QLD Country of Burial: Australia Find A Grave URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183372068 FindaGrave - Person Photo FindaGrave - Grave Photo Biographical Notes Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017: Carroll, John Teacher, pastor; born Walsh Island, Geashill, Offaly, Ireland, 2 April 1911; died Brisbane, 20 January 1957, aged 45. The death of John Carroll in the Mater Hospital, Brisbane, at an early age, deprived the Hong Kong Mission of a most esteemed and valuable member. He had a deep interest in educational matters, and his thorough understanding of the Hong Kong educational system, had established himself as a very well informed representative and spokesman of the Catholic schools in Hong Kong in their dealings with the government. He was one of twelve children, eight of whom entered religion, including Denis, a Jesuit who worked in Zambia. He was a tall person, with a stately and even stiff bearing, and habitual grave expression. He was educated at Mungret College, Limerick, from which he entered the Irish province at Emo Park, 3 September 1930, being one of 32 first-year novices. He was a junior at Rathfarnham, 1932-35, obtaining his BA degree in English and history in 1935. He studied philosophy at Tullabeg, 1935-38, before language study at Loyola, Tai Lam Chung, and regency in Hong Kong and Wah Yan College, 1939-41. He was not a success learning the Cantonese dialect. During 1940 he edited the College annual, The Star. As it was impossible in July 1941, to return to Ireland for theology because of the war, Carroll and three other scholastics were sent to Australia for theology, 1942-45, He enjoyed those years, and the Australian Jesuits found him pleasant company. While waiting for theology to commence, he taught at Riverview for a few months. In 1946 he went to Rathfarnham for tertianship and returned to Hong Kong and Wah Yan College in 1947, where he was assistant prefect of studies and edited The Star. He was appointed vice-rector in 1951 and rector the following year, as well as performing the duties of prefect of studies. He accomplished all these tasks capably and efficiently, in spite of health that was never very robust. One of his achievements as rector was the planning and building of the new Wah Yan College on Queen's Road East. By 1955 he was not capable of any heavy work, and in January 1956 underwent a grave operation for cancer of the intestines. Many months of pain, discomfort and suffering followed, which he bore with serenity and fortitude. By June 1956 he had recovered sufficiently to be able to travel by plane to Brisbane for convalescence. By November, his condition grew worse, had a further operation in December, and finally died the following January. Carroll was a spiritual man, and observant religious, as well as intelligent, good at English literature, the craft of elaborate lettering of manuscripts, and the poignant epigram. He was meticulous, even excessive, in the preparation of his classes. He was a hard worker and efficient administrator, strict on himself and a stern judge of those who did not measure up to his own high standards. At times he could appear stiff and unbending, but he had a good sense of humour and was able to laugh at himself. Towards his students he was uniformly kind though reserved, and this, combined with his unceasing devotion to duty, made them esteem him highly. (Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)

Title:

Rev

First Name:

John

Middle Names:

Preferred Name:

Surname:

Carroll

Order:

Date of Birth:

02-Apr-1911

Place of Birth:

Walsh Island, Geashill, Co Offaly

Country of Birth:

Ireland

Date of Ordination:

Place of Ordination:

Country of Ordination:

Ordination Diocese:

Seminary:

Date of Death:

20-Jan-1957

Place of Death:

Brisbane QLD

Country of Death:

Australia

Date of Burial:

1957

Place of Burial:

Nudgee, Brisbane QLD

Country of Burial:

Australia

Find A Grave URL:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183372068

FindaGrave - Person Photo

FindaGrave - Grave Photo

Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Carroll, John

Teacher, pastor; born Walsh Island, Geashill, Offaly, Ireland, 2 April 1911; died Brisbane, 20 January 1957, aged 45.

The death of John Carroll in the Mater Hospital, Brisbane, at an early age, deprived the Hong Kong Mission of a most esteemed and valuable member. He had a deep interest in educational matters, and his thorough understanding of the Hong Kong educational system, had established himself as a very well informed representative and spokesman of the Catholic schools in Hong Kong in their dealings with the government.

He was one of twelve children, eight of whom entered religion, including Denis, a Jesuit who worked in Zambia. He was a tall person, with a stately and even stiff bearing, and habitual grave expression. He was educated at Mungret College, Limerick, from which he entered the Irish province at Emo Park, 3 September 1930, being one of 32 first-year novices. He was a junior at Rathfarnham, 1932-35, obtaining his BA degree in English and history in 1935. He studied philosophy at Tullabeg, 1935-38, before language study at Loyola, Tai Lam Chung, and regency in Hong Kong and Wah Yan College, 1939-41. He was not a success learning the Cantonese dialect. During 1940 he edited the College annual, The Star.

As it was impossible in July 1941, to return to Ireland for theology because of the war, Carroll and three other scholastics were sent to Australia for theology, 1942-45, He enjoyed those years, and the Australian Jesuits found him pleasant company. While waiting for theology to commence, he taught at Riverview for a few months.

In 1946 he went to Rathfarnham for tertianship and returned to Hong Kong and Wah Yan College in 1947, where he was assistant prefect of studies and edited The Star. He was appointed vice-rector in 1951 and rector the following year, as well as performing the duties of prefect of studies. He accomplished all these tasks capably and efficiently, in spite of health that was never very robust. One of his achievements as rector was the planning and building of the new Wah Yan College on Queen's Road East. By 1955 he was not capable of any heavy work, and in January 1956 underwent a grave operation for cancer of the intestines. Many months of pain, discomfort and suffering followed, which he bore with serenity and fortitude. By June 1956 he had recovered sufficiently to be able to travel by plane to Brisbane for convalescence. By November, his condition grew worse, had a further operation in December, and finally died the following January.

Carroll was a spiritual man, and observant religious, as well as intelligent, good at English literature, the craft of elaborate lettering of manuscripts, and the poignant epigram. He was meticulous, even excessive, in the preparation of his classes. He was a hard worker and efficient administrator, strict on himself and a stern judge of those who did not measure up to his own high standards. At times he could appear stiff and unbending, but he had a good sense of humour and was able to laugh at himself. Towards his students he was uniformly kind though reserved, and this, combined with his unceasing devotion to duty, made them esteem him highly.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)

Rev John Carroll SJ

Biographical Notes