Patrick O'Donnell
| Patrick O'Donnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1837-03-17 Cahir, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| 💀Died | 1906-01-16 Avondale, Newfoundland1906-01-16 |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Irish |
| 🏫 Education | Mount Melleray Monastery, St. Patrick's College Carlow, St. Bonaventure's College |
| 💼 Occupation | Catholic Priest |
| Title | Reverend Fr. |
| Family | O'Donnell |
Patrick O'Donnell (17 March 1837 – 16 January 1906) was an Irish-born Catholic priest who served in Newfoundland for over four decades. He was the Parish Priest of Harbour Main and the first resident pastor of St. Anne's Parish, Conception Harbour.[1]
Early Life
Patrick O'Donnell was born on 17 March 1837 at Cahir, County Tipperary, Ireland, the son of Thomas O'Donnell (born about 1791, died before 1850) and Mary O'Donnell (born about 1791, died 14 December 1875 in Harbour Main, Newfoundland).[2][3] He was born on St. Patrick's Day, as noted in his obituary.[1]
O'Donnell came from a remarkably religious family. He had three brothers who all served as priests in Newfoundland: Rev. Jeremiah O'Donnell (born 1814, died 27 February 1891), who "intervened in the 1861 partisan riots and was wounded"; Rev. Richard David O'Donnell (born about 1829, died 19 May 1890); and Rev. David O'Donnell (born 1840, died 25 April 1871).[3][2] Two of his sisters joined religious orders: Alice (Mother Bernard O'Donnell, born between 1828-1830, died 6 April 1924) became Mother Superior of the Presentation Convent in Witless Bay, and Bridget (Sister Mary Joseph O'Donnell, born 1834, died 19 January 1896) was a Presentation nun in the convent at Renews.[3][2] A cousin, Thomas, served as justice of the peace on Bell Island.[3] James O'Donnell a historical figure in St Johns and in County Tipperary for his support towards educational institutions (such as Rockwell College in Cashel, Ireland or St Bonaventure in St Johns, Newfoundland) was also one of Patrick's cousins.[4]
After receiving preparatory training in local schools, O'Donnell was sent to the Trappist Monastery at Mount Melleray, County Waterford, where he "acquired that exquisite taste for ancient classical literature for which he was so remarkable."[1] He then proceeded to St. Patrick's College, Carlow, where he studied from 1858 to 1860.[3]
Career
Immigration and Ordination
O'Donnell came to Newfoundland in 1861 and entered St. Bonaventure's College, where he completed his course in theology. He was ordained a priest on 24 May 1863 in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist at St. John's by Bishop John Thomas Mullock, O.S.F.[3][1]
Early Ministry (1863-1882)
Following ordination, O'Donnell received a temporary teaching position at St. Bonaventure's College before being appointed as curate to Rev. Kyran Walsh in Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Harbour Main. This parish then included Holyrood and Conception Harbour, and O'Donnell served in this capacity from 1863 to 1868.[3][1]
When Rev. Kyran Walsh died on 4 September 1868, O'Donnell's brother, Rev. Jeremiah O'Donnell, was appointed Parish Priest of Harbour Main. Patrick continued as curate under his brother until Jeremiah's retirement from active duty in 1882.[5][1]
Parish Leadership (1882-1906)
In 1882, when his brother Jeremiah retired, Patrick O'Donnell "assumed pastoral responsibility for half of the parish" and was appointed the first pastor of St. Anne's Parish, Conception Harbour.[1] According to parish records, "The parish of Conception Hr., one of the oldest of the Diocese was established on Jan 01, 1884. The first priest to reside there was rev. Patrick O'Donnell from 1884 to 1891."[6]
When Jeremiah surrendered the parish in 1884, he retired to Conception where he resided with Patrick until Jeremiah's death in 1891. Patrick was later transferred back to Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Harbour Main, where he served as Parish Priest until his death in 1906.[1]
Personal Life
Character and Reputation
O'Donnell was described in his obituary as possessing remarkable virtue: "Among the many virtues which adorned the priestly character of the subject of this brief sketch, devotion to the interests of others was most remarkable; he was the most unselfish of men; he never regarded his own interests; he was generous to a fault, the soul of hospitality, and his benefactions to the poor."[1] The obituary noted that "notwithstanding his forty-two years in the ministry, he died penniless, his share of this world's goods was nil."[1]
The O'Donnell family was described as "remarkable for the number and excellence of the members it gave to the service of religion. There were four brothers priests: Fathers Jeremiah, Richard, David and Patrick; and two sisters nuns: the late Rev. Mother Joseph of Renews and the present Rev. Mother Bernard of Witless Bay. Three nieces in Newfoundland also joined the religious life, besides a large number of relatives of both sexes in other countries."[1]
Death and Funeral
O'Donnell's health had been failing for several years before his death. He died on 16 January 1906 at Dr. Jones' residence at Avondale, "surrounded by friends for whom it was a labor of love to minister to his wants both spiritual and temporal."[1]
His funeral was held at the parish church at Harbour Main, where "a large concourse assembled, many of them from distant points." The funeral Mass was celebrated by Right Rev. Monsignor Walsh, V.G., P.P., Brigus, with Rev. William Veitch, P.P., Conception as deacon and Rev. John March, C.C., Harbor Grace as sub-deacon. Multiple clergy attended, including Ven. Archdeacon C. H. O'Neill of the Cathedral, St. John's, who "delivered an able discourse on the life and labours of the deceased."[1]
O'Donnell was buried beneath the floor of the church in Harbour Main, "beside the remains of two predecessors, Revs. Kyran Walsh and Jas. Browne."[1]
Estate and Will
O'Donnell's last will and testament was signed on 18 November 1905. In it, he left his land and farm on Dock Ridge known as Mount Patrick (approximately 31 acres) to his niece Alice O'Donnell of St. John's, along with his "land, Dwelling house and stable on Station Road in Avondale."[7] He also bequeathed land near Kennedy's Saw Mill in Avondale to Michael Wade (two thirds) and Thomas Costigan (one third).[7]
His will specified that "any sums remaining to credit of my estate after settling all just claims against said estate shall be used in obtaining the prayers of the Catholic church and Masses for the souls in purgatory."[7] He appointed Edward Murray Esq J.P. of Harbour Main and Ed. Kennedy of Avondale as executors. His estate was valued at $607.00, and probate was granted on 16 April 1906.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 St. Bonaventure's Adelphian, Obituary by Rev. John Roe, P.P., Harbor Main
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Descendants of O'Donnell family genealogy
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Historia biográfica, Patrick O'Donnell (1837-1906)
- ↑ James O’Donnell, the merchant who banked on education for all: pioneering vision in nineteenth-century Ireland and Newfoundland. Tipperary Studies, 2025 https://tipperarystudies.ie/james-odonnell-from-tipperary-to-newfoundland-and-back-again/
- ↑ Parish history documents Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "parish_history" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ History for St. Anne's Roman Catholic Parish Church, Conception Hr.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Will of Patrick O'Donnell, Newfoundland will books volume 8 page 9 probate year 1906
