Catherine Francis O'Neill (1908).
This is an obituary written about a woman Catherine Francis O'Neill in the Catholic newspaper the W.A. Record in 1908.
The article provides a wonderful insight into the life of a Catholic woman who originally came from Ireland to Western Australia and lived in Subiaco, over 100 years ago.
The article is from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
W.A. Record, 18 July 1908.
The Late Mrs. C. F. O'Neill, Subiaco.
On Monday, June 29th, Mrs. Catherine Francis O'Neill, well-known and highly respected in Perth and Subiaco, died at the St. John of God Hospital, Subiaco, after a long and painful illness. Mrs O'Neill was a splendid Catholic, a saintly woman, and the memory of her grand example will live long in the minds and hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
She was always most generous to wards the Church. It was her delight to help in every good work that had, for its object, the interests of religion. We believe we are correct in stating that a certain beautiful little church in Victoria, owes its erection to the munificence of Mrs. O'Neill and the late Captain O'Neill, her husband.
During the last six years she resided at St. Joseph's, beside the St. John of God Convent. Here, she had what she most desired on this earth, the happiness of attending daily Mass. The Mass, so much neglected, so little under stood, was for her, the sun in the heavens, the joy of her life, the solace and consolation of her declining years. Morning after morning, she might be seen in the nun's oratory, kneeling in her little prieu-dieu, absorbed in prayer during the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice, where God received more honor and glory than he does in the united prayers and adoration of the saints and angels in Heaven.
Save in the morning when she attended her little feathered songsters, her whole day was given up to prayer, spiritual reading, and visits Our Blessed Lord in the Tabernacle, her hands seemed always en circled by her beads. While most people seem anxious to pile up riches that must needs, soon disappear and vanish, her chief thought was to lay up those spiritual treasures that last for ever. And when death did come, it found her ready : her life was over, her work well done, and she was prepared for the call of the Maker she loved so well. And withall, Mrs. O'Neill was kindly, Irish of the Irish.
Though she left her native land while yet a mere child, the memory of its green fields and rushing streams she ever fondly cherished. The tragic story of poor Ireland, of its unflinching and indestructible faith of the men who lived for Ireland, fought for Ireland, and died for Ireland, often brought tears to her eyes. Twenty golden years ago, two young Irishmen came to Australia to plead the cause of their persecuted and down-trodden country.
Mrs. O'Neill gave them a cead mile falthe to her Irish home in Melbourne. Often we have heard her speak of the storm and stress of those days, and how, after hard weeks of campaigning, the two brothers would step down to one of the city churches on Saturday night for Confession. The Irish Leader and his eloquent brother, Willian Redmond, are to-day distinguished men, admired by all parties in the House of Commons, fond idols of their warm-hearted countrymen in every land, but they have never forgotten the great kindness received from Mrs. O'Neill in those days, when friends were not numerous, enemies many, and Ireland had, outside her own exiled sons, few sympathisers beneath the Southern Cross. For the unremitting care of the Sisters of St. John of God, she was most grateful, and often expressed her indebtedness for their never-failing kindness and attention.
A Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul was celebrated on Tuesday, June 30, in St. Joseph's Church, Subiaco. Father Verling, assisted by Father Donogher, of ficiated at the grave. The chief mourners were the Masters O'Neill, Edgar, Gilbert, and Victor Henderson (grandsons), and Mr. Henderson (son-in-law). May she rest in peace. One meets her, like now and then, in a lifetime.
