1929 – 10 Aug 2009

Fr Pat Creed – retired and a resident of Calare Nursing Home in Orange – died on Monday 10th August 2009, aged 80 years.

Over 200 parishioners form Orange, Blayney, Bathurst, Cowra and Dubbo, along with 30 priests from the diocese, gathered for his Mass of Resurrection in St. Mary’s Church in Orange on 17th August.

Present also were his niece and nephew from Ireland, Brenda Ferris and Thomas Fitzpatrick. Both of them were involved in proclaiming the Scriptures and Thomas welcomed people on behalf of the family in Ireland. He also thanked the people of the Bathurst Diocese for their care and support of his uncle during his 55 years of life in Australia.

Fr Pat Ruane shared his knowledge of Fr Creed in a eulogy. He highlighted Fr Pat’s sporting ability from his youth in Ireland, where his Kerry team won a national Irish Football comp just prior to his departure for Australia in 1953. Fr Pat also played basketball and rugby league in Orange and Dubbo in his early years in the Diocese.

He was a man who lived simply and didn’t engage in debates about theology or spirituality – but showed his love for people by being with them during the ups and downs of their lives.

In 1995, returning from the beatification of Mary MacKillop, Fr Pat was involved in a serious car accident. His determination and willpower helped him recover enough to walk again and continue his ministry in Blayney where he was Parish Priest from 1986 until 2000. However, Parkinson’s Disease began to develop and eventually confined him to first a wheelchair, and then to his bed.

In his homily, Bishop Michael McKenna referred to the Brother who was caring for Pope John XXIII in his final illness. The Pope wanted to say Mass, but the Brother advised him that his bed was now his altar, where his offering to God would be his illness and suffering. This had become Fr Pat’s experience also, the Bishop said, and the loyal friends who visited Fr Pat each day or week were exercising their priesthood by caring for him as they gathered around the altar of his bed. To these faithful carers, the bishop expressed his gratitude.

Parishioners from Bathurst, Blayney, Cowra and Orange were involved in the Prayers of the Faithful and as pall bearers.

Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas síoraí dá anam (God rest his soul in peace).