Kevin Dadswell

9 July 2009

The Diocese of Parramatta lost one of its most-loved priests with the death of Fr Kevin Dadswell, aged 79, on 9 July 2009.

On Wednesday 15 July, a funeral Mass for the repose of his soul was celebrated in St Michael’s Church, South Blacktown. Bishop Manning was the principal celebrant at the Mass, which was concelebrated by 46 priests.

Severe ill-health had forced Fr Kevin to retire from St Michael’s Parish in October last year after 20 years as parish priest.

He is remembered with great love and affection by friends and parishioners and by students at St Michael’s Primary and Nagle College where he was a familiar catechist.

The only child of Noel and Maree Dadswell, Fr Kevin grew up in Mosman where he attended Marist Brothers High. He was a member of the local Legion of Mary. On leaving school he made a career in the public service.

At the time of his death, he had been a priest for nearly 34 years, having entered St Paul’s Seminary, Kensington, as a late vocation as he approached his 40th year. He was ordained in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on 23 August 1975.

His first appointment was as assistant priest at St Patrick’s Parish, Parramatta. He later ministered in the parishes of Rydalmere, St Mary’s Cathedral, Seven Hills and Doonside.

In July 1988, he was appointed administrator of St Michael’s Parish, South Blacktown, and three months later was installed as its parish priest.

Among those who paid tribute to Fr Kevin was Bianca Pudadera, co-ordinator of St Michael’s Oasis Youth Group. “Fr Kevin was a very humble person who touched many of our lives,” Bianca said.

“Some of us are lucky enough to have been baptised, confirmed and married by him. We remember his great charisma and love for the people.”

Bianca said the youth group owed its existence to the encouraging support of Fr Kevin. The group honored his influence in their lives by holding a vigil prayer on the Friday night after his death.

Fr Robert Riedling shared the presbytery with Fr Kevin at St Michael’s after he was appointed Administrator in February this year.

“Kevin was a much-loved pastor at St Michael’s and his presence here over many years of dedicated ministry had made a huge impact on a large number of people,” Fr Robert said.

“He was able to talk extensively about many of the parishioners and seemed to know all their family connections and life stories. It became clear that here was a priest who knew the people he served intimately. They were, after all, his family.

“Fr Kevin’s great desire, unfortunately never realised, was to once again celebrate Mass for the people in his beloved church. He had a great love of Eucharist and looked forward to receiving it each morning.

“I feel very blessed at being posted to St Michael’s and thus being the beneficiary of the wonderful pastoral work undertaken by Fr Kevin over the past 20 years.”

Fr Kevin is buried in Castle Hill Cemetery.

Catholic Outlook, August 2009