HONG KONG (SE): Friends, fellow priests and diocesan staff gathered on November 9 at the small chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, to remember and bid farewell to Columban missionary Father James Michael Mulroney, or “Jim” as he preferred to be called.
The former deputy-editor-in-chief of the Sunday Examiner, the English-language weekly of the Diocese of Hong Kong [2003 to 2018], passed away on October 11 at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia, at the age of 75 [Sunday Examiner, October 16].
The memorial Mass initially scheduled for the previous week, but was postponed due to the typhoon signal number 8 being raised. Concelebrating were Columbans Father Dan Troy, the China Mission Unit coordinator; Father Brian Vale, vicar general; and Father Joseph Kang Seung Won, councillor; together with Divine Word Father Jay Flandez, the chaplain for Filipinos.
In his homily, Father Vale remembered Father Mulroney as sociable, making lasting friendships with people from all walks of life, a good story teller and a supporter of society’s marginalised. He also recalled he was faithful to his duties as he held a number of positions throughout the Australian and New Zealand region in the 1980s, such as vocations director in New South Wales. In 1990s, he showed his talents in journalism as he became the publishing editor of the South Pacific Journal of Mission Studies, which is now called the Australian Journal of Mission Studies, and later became the deputy editor-in-chief of the Sunday Examiner.
“Let’s give thanks to Jim for the gifts in his life and what he shared in his years with us,” he said, adding that he was loved and is still being loved.
Father Troy encouraged people to share the life story of Father Mulroney with others and following his example, to be friends with everyone.
Previously, on October 25, a funeral Mass, which was also livestreamed, was celebrated at the St. Columban’s Mission Society chapel, in Essendon, Melbourne, Australia. The main celebrant was Father Peter O’Neill, Columban Leader Australia. The concelebrants were Father Trevor Trotter, Columban Regional Director Oceania, and over 10 Columban priests as well as diocesan priests from Sandhurst and Melbourne.
Paul Mulroney, the younger brother of Father Mulroney, delivered the eulogy. “Jim was a Columban. And that was his primary identity, focus and purpose. His loved his life from the day it began… he loved the work and he also loved all the experiences that he had… friendship, spirituality—every dimension Jim absolutely embraced fully,” he said.
Jim was a Columban. And that was his primary identity, focus and purpose. His loved his life from the day it began… he loved the work and he also loved all the experiences that he had… friendship, spirituality—every dimension Jim absolutely embraced fully
Paul Mulroney
He was joined by elder sister, Dominican Sister Elizabeth Mulroney. Their eldest sister, Pat, passed away in 2018.
Father Kelvin Barrett, who studied with Father Mulroney in the seminary, recalled numerous touching and humourous moments with his friend, and paid tribute to his life by sharing what he wrote when he celebrated his golden jubilee this May.
“The dizzy times may be over now. The lengthened days that borrowed hours from the night belong to the past, but a reservoir rich in humanity of trust in God and faith in neighbour has truly blessed my life.”
He said Father Mulroney had run his race to the end with faith and confidence in God and other people, and will continue to live with us in our hearts as we journey in life.
Holy water was sprinkled over the coffin, symbolising the water of baptism in which Father Mulroney died with Christ and rose to new life. A mission cross, a Japanese doll as well as a book were placed on his coffin symbolising his missionary life as a priest, his ministries in Japan and his passion for poetry, for writing and his editorial work at the Sunday Examiner as well as other publications.
Father Mulroney was buried at Melbourne General Cemetery, College Crescent, Parkville. May he rest in peace.
