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

Missionary, pastor; born Colac, Victoria, 2 January 1927; died Kew, Victoria, 24 April 1996, aged 69.

In his youth Sam Byrne attended the Irrewillipe State School, but at the age of 14 he left school to work on a farm at Nar Nar Goon. As he grew older he realised the value of education and went to St Patrick's College, Ballarat, to complete his secondary education.

Byrne entered the Society of Jesus at Watsonia, 1 February 1949, and after his juniorate studies went to Ranchi, India, for a further year of Hindi studies. He studied philosophy at Poona, 1953-56, theology at Kurseong and Poona, and taught at St Xavier's, Hazaribag, 1956-58. During these years he pioneered agricultural work in Sitagarha, which eventually evolved into the Teachers' Training Institute. He enjoyed working with Brother Nicolai Bilic in the workshop at St Xavier's, Hazaribag. With other scholastics he edited the mission newspaper Cooee. He had a reputation for method and unruffled thoroughness in whatever he did, be it submission of written exercises, answers to mathematical problems, or the creation of a reader's lectern for the dining room.

In 1960 he returned to Australia for health reasons and taught during 1962 at St Ignatius' College, Norwood. He returned to theology at Canisius College, Pymble, the following year, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. Tertianship followed at Auriesville, USA, in 1965-66, and then began parish work at Hawthorn until 1971. Then, after a year at Richmond, he returned to Hawthorn as superior for two years before being appointed parish priest of Norwood, 1975-87. In his latter years he performed parish duties at Hawthorn and administrative work at the Provincial Residence. He was provincial assistant for older Jesuits from 1988. When his health declined with increasing disability from Parkinson's disease, he moved to Campion House where eventually he died unexpectedly.

His thirteen years at Norwood were full of activity. He started the Pastoral Council, the Rite of Christian Initiation for adults, and the Aministrazione San Pelligrino. When the Vietnamese boat people arrived in Australia he welcomed their Jesuit chaplain, Augustin Nguyen duc Thu, and helped the community find suitable accommodation at Hindmarsh, Adelaide. He showed special care for the Vietnamese and their welfare. Byrne was involved with the foundation of SHARE (Self Help for Australians and Refugees Inc.) that raised $40,000. He was a caring pastor who not only looked after the fabric of the church but also was always present to people in need, especially the elderly. For this he was highly regarded by the archbishop, priests and parishioners.

Within the Society, Byrne was admired for his calmness, balance and affability, his sound judgment, strong character, and good government as a superior, listening and caring for his subjects in a quiet and unobtrusive way. He was sociable, kind and hospitable, a good leader, showing initiative and inspiring others. He consulted lay people on parish councils.

He was chairman of the parishes and related ministries commission and a province consultor. As a consultor he was respected for his 'patient, principled and passionate contribution'. He wrote many reflections to the provincial. In 1969, during a period of renewal, he wrote a significant paper for province reflection entitled, 'The Jesuit Apostolate in Australia'.

He suffered from depression from time to time, with consequent loss of energy, but was unfailingly cheerful, courteous and humble, and a loyal servant to those he encountered.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)