Inverell, Glen Innes, etc, NSW

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Catholic. Death of Dean Mitchell, O.S.F.C., Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 7 October 1893, p 18, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115578411:

The diocese of Armidale has sustained an irreparable loss by the death of one of its most exemplary and devoted priests, the Very Rev. Dean Mitchell, O.S.F.C., of Inverell. The good priest died on the morning of Friday last, the Feast of St. Michael and all Angels, at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, whither he had gone a few days previously, hoping at that excellent institution to obtain relief from a severe malady that had prostrated him. On Saturday morning the earthly remains of the Very Rev. Father reached Armidale by the mail train, and were conveyed to the Cathedral, where a Solemn Requiem Mass was sung by Bishop Torreggiani, assisted by the Very Rev. Dean O'Connor and the Rev. Fr. Ahearne as deacon and subdeacon, and the Rev. Fr. Byron as master of ceremonies. After the Mass the coffin, covered with wreaths of white flowers, the offering of the Ursuline Nuns and other friends, was borne to the cemetery. With holy rites the faithful priest was laid to rest near the grave of Bro. Francis of the same religious Order, both sleeping under the shadow of the pretty little mortuary chapel, lately built in memory of the good Brother and his zealous and devoted services in the Armidale diocese.

Dean Mitchell had laboured in the Armidale diocese for the last ten years, having followed his dear friend Dr. Torreggiani, O.S.F.C. to the colony. For a while he had charge of the Glen Innes mission, and for a longer period the mission of Inverell, of which he was appointed the first parish priest. He won the esteem and affection of his flock by his incessant labours for their spiritual welfare and his solicitude for the good education of the children. His kind and courteous disposition and consistent life obtained for him the respect and goodwill of all with whom he came in contact. He will be long mourned and regretted, and by none more than his beloved Bishop, who loses in him a tried and trusted friend of many years. Before his advent in this country, Dean Mitchell was for some time Provincial of the Franciscan Capuchins in Ireland, many of whom will greatly regret their former venerated Superior.

The Dean was well known to the congregation of St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. It became a recognized thing for him to be invited to sing High Mass at St. Mary's whenever he visited Sydney, and on these occasions the clear, silver notes of a sweet and sympathetic voice rang through aisle and nave with an effect not quickly forgotten. Let us hope and pray that he may speedily obtain the reward of his labours in the eternal home where, before the Throne of God, he may plead for the flock he loved so well, and for the friends who cherish the memory of his kindness and devotion.—Requiescat in pace.

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T.W. Campbell, The Priests of the Diocese of Armidale: A Necrology, Braddon ACT, 2005:
Mitchell, David Albert (OSFC)

Born David Mitchell in Dublin on 13 September 1831, he entered the Capuchin Novitiate in Belgium on 4 October 1850, and was professed the following year. Date and place of ordination not known. In 1873 he was appointed to Kilkenny and attempted to build a novitiate wing onto the friary. Three years later he was appointed the Irish Custos, an office held until 1879 after which he moved to Cork. Probably because of his health he decided to go to Australia in 1883. His first appointment was to Palmer's Island, where he soon was visited by Bishop Elzear Torreggiani. It was not long, however, before he was known in Sydney, as there is a record of him conducting a retreat for the Sisters of St Joseph at Woollahra, a task no doubt arranged by Torreggiani with the Josephites, with whom he was developing very good relations. In January 1885 he was transferred to Glen Innes, where he remained for two years, and from where he visited Armidale to participate on 2 June 1885 in the Mass of thanksgiving for the Bishop's escape from assassination. In 1887 he moved to Inverell. He had an abiding interest in the Third Order of St Francis both in Glen Innes and later in Inverell, and filled the position of Director of the Third Order, for which he travelled to Sydney for meetings. He was invited, on visits to Sydney, to sing High Mass in St Mary's cathedral, being known for his voice. In Inverell he dedicated a chapel on the side of the church in honour of Our Lady of the Angels which was the meeting place of the Third Order in Inverell and the site of the celebrations for the traditional Franciscan feast of the Portiuncula. At the diocesan synod of 1888 he was appointed Vicar Forane and Examiner, and appointed as the first parish priest and Rector Immovabilis of Inverell, following the formal establishment of parishes in the diocese, installed in November 1889. It was while Mitchell was Parish Priest at Inverell that the Sisters of St Joseph left the school and transferred to Tingha, where they established a school and convent. It followed disagreements with Sister Josephine Caroline, as he wanted music taught in the school and the Sisters refused, as it was outside their mandate as they saw it. Torreggiani was forced to become involved. He invited the Sisters of Mercy from Gunnedah to replace the Sisters of St Joseph. The Gunnedah Sisters arrived in Inverell in January 1891. He died in St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, on 29 September 1893 following several days as a patient seeking treatment. His remains were returned to Armidale for burial with other Capuchins in the Armidale cemetery.
(Sources: Colbourne, FJ 15 Dec 1883 p 18, 26 Apr 1884 p 15, 10 Jan 1885 p 10, 11 Aug 1888 p 15, 26 Oct 1889 p 19, 7 Oct 1893 p 18, MDHC A-Z M89).

(Reproduced by permission of Tom Campbell.)