Bernard Shah OCarm
8 February 1937 – 30 March 2010

Born in Christchurch, NZ, Bernard was very proud of his heritage and in his younger days would break out in a very high spirited Haka! He was educated by the Marist Brothers at Xavier College and after Ordination in Kaiapoi, NZ, on the 29 July 1966, studied journalism at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology to assist him in his appointment as editor of the Scapular Magazine. Bernard was a very able editor and later on he went to Rome to become co-editor of the magazine, Carmel in the World.

He was best known for spiritual direction and retreats and he especially loved his time at the Order’s retreat centre, Aylesford, in Kent, UK. It was something of a wrench to be transferred from there to our Queensland parish, Coorparoo and then to his final appointment at Wentworthville parish in the Parramatta Diocese where he kept up his spiritual direction as well as assisting in the parish.

Sadly Bernard contracted Alzheimer’s and this was a real kenosis experience for him. His prolific reading came to an end and he was confined to a nursing home. Bernard never complained but instead maintained a dignified reassuring presence to fellow patients and nursing staff.

Bernard will be remembered with love for his compassion, his great listening capacity and his sensible views on Catholicism. May he rest in peace.