IN THE FIELD OF THE SPIRIT, THEY MOST SURELY SOWED. GRANT THEM AN INCREASE OF ETERNAL BLISS.
- 2015
Rev Ronald Pickin
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Born 31/05/1933;
Ordained 18/07/1654 for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
Ronald James Pickin was born in New Lambton on 31st May, 1933, son of Jim Pickin and Irene nee Hawkins.
He attended Mayfield Public school and then Newcastle Technical High, then located at Tighes Hill, for his secondary schooling. He left school after passing the Intermediate Certificate and joined the Postmaster General's Department in Newcastle. He learned Morse code and became a telegraphist. Then a little later, knowing he wanted to be a priest, he studied and passed the Leaving Certificate at Hamilton Evening College, before joining the class at Springwood in 1958.
He was ordained in Hamilton in July 1964, and served as assistant priest in Adamstown, Wallsend, Muswellbrook and Singleton, Chaplain to the Army and Police, Parish Priest in Wingham, Merewether and Beresfield – as well as a spell as music teacher at St Pius X College Adamstown.
In the homily at Ron's funeral retired Bishop Michael Malone, a classmate, said:
Ron Pickin was a great story-teller with a wonderful sense of humour. He had the ability of being able to tell a funny story while maintaining an innocent face, but he gave himself away by having a knowing look in the eye. Ron would keep us entertained almost daily with his endless fund of stories and his musical ability on the piano.
Last year the class of 1958 celebrated 50 years of priesthood. Ron was unable to join us for the occasion since he was pretty immobile by that time, living, as he was at Amaroo Aged Care Facility Charlestown.
This generous and warm-hearted man has served the Lord with fidelity and commitment. Wherever he served, people were drawn to him by his affable personality, his obvious people-skills and easy rapport.
Ron died on 22nd April 2015 and is buried in the priests' section at Sandgate.
- 2016
Rev Geoffrey Francis Dickinson Born 9/07/1932; Ordained 30/07/1955
Diocese of Parramatta
- 2019
Rev Phillip John Soulsby SM Born 13/10/1931; Ordained 26/04/1969
Marist Fathers - Society of Mary
- 1880
Rev Patrick Dunne Moore Warrnambool, Ballarat, Carisbrook, Linton, Smythesdale, Vic
- 1896
Rev John Tierney Newcastle, Lambton, Dugog, Hamilton, Branxton, NSW
- 1913
Rev Richard Butler Cootamundra, Tumut, etc, NSW; Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn, ACT
- 1920
Rev Henry Berghemann CSsR Ballarat, Vic; Singleton, Waratah, NSW
- 1921
Rev Michael M Hallinan Sale, Vic; Perth
- 1929
Rev William Doyle Jamestown, etc, SA
- 1961
Rev James Cremin Sandhurst dioc, Vic
- 1965
Rev Walter Koenig SJ Sydney, etc
- 1976
Rev Joseph Patrick Croal Greenacre, Riverstone, etc, NSW
- 1977
Rev Edmund McEntee CSsR Terang, Vic, etc
- 1983
Rev Gerard Grogan CSsR Perth; Hobart, etc
- 1992
Rev Thomas Lynam Maitland dioc, NSW
- 1993
Rev Ailbe James Conway Crookwell, Goulburn, West Goulburn, Canberra Cathedral, Jindabyne, Pearce, ACT; Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn, ACT
- 1996
Rev John Kerrisk Sydney, Armidale diocs, NSW; Cygnet, Hobart, Tas
- 2005
Rev Kevin Joseph Manning Hobart dioc, Tas
- 2006
Rev John Michael O'Brien Ballarat East, Colac, Koroit, Inglewood, Charlton, Terang, Warrnambool, Sea Lake, Vic
- 2012
Rev Matthias Conway OFM