Catholic Diocese of Broome

Farewell to longest-serving priest.
Fr McKelson left the Broome Diocese last year after over 50 years of service.

Here is an edited version of his speech on that occasion, given at Notre Dame, Broome

This past week is filled with pleasant events and happy memories for me. Last Sunday, the Feast of St John the Baptist, the people of Bidyadanga bade me farewell. Last Thursday, the feast of Sts Peter and Paul, was the anniversary of my arrival in Broome in 1954, and today, is the 56th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood.

Broome-time (1954-9) was truly a time of enchantment for me. The lush country after rain, the cooling down after Easter, followed by the cool time until the return of the wet. Broome was a quiet little town by the Bay. The shops closed at midday and the children went home from school for a rest. The town came alive again as the sun was setting. The people were friendly; they

were poor. Their lives revolved around the comings and goings of the pearl luggers and the seasonal export of cattle. I ministered as a priest to the many young people of the bustling parish.

Bidyadanga-time of 33 years, was a blessing and a time of learning. It was here I learnt the ways and the languages of tribal Aboriginal people – some coastal and many from the desert. It was at La Grange (Bidyadanga) that Dr Geoffrey O’Grady, one of Australia’s greatest linguists, taught me the structure of the Aboriginal languages. The Pallottine, Fr Worms and Dr Petri and his wife Gisella taught me the substance of Aboriginal culture. In time, we at La Grange sang and prayed, in language.

And finally, Notre Dame — time (1996-2006). This has been a time of hope born of the educational opportunities offered to the Aboriginal and local people. As I leave you, I leave with a happy heart knowing that education will mean security, dignity and self assurance for all the people of the Kimberley. During my Notre Dame time, Bishop Saunders has encouraged the more active participation of the Aboriginal people in their worship.

I thank you for your love and support over the years. I thank you for the gifts you have given. I especially thank the Bishop and his priests, my Pallottine confreres, the Sisters, the Lay missionaries and all of you gathered here today.

When Bishop Saunders was ordained in 1996, at the reception I quoted some verses from the Jesuit poet, Gerard Manly Hopkins. I quote them again
Christ plays in ten thousand places
Lovely in limbs and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father
Through the features of men’s faces.

As I bid you farewell know that I take with me the Christ who shines through the eyes and features of the many nations that make up this place.