Fr Phelim Keane celebrates 70 years ordained

by Msgr FRANK EGGLETON
St Mary’s parishioners gathered at Leighton House in Gisborne on November 19 on the occasion of
the 70th anniversary of Fr Philem Keane’s ordination to priesthood on November 19, 1944.

There were six others in Fr Phelim’s group: the Revs T. Liddy, T. Duffy, F. Garty, D. Angland, J. Bradley and M. Ryan.
Fr Keane grew up in St Benedict’s parish, Auckland, and was an old boy of Sacred Heart College in Auckland.
He entered the seminary at the age of 16 with the words of one of the senior Marist Brothers ringing
in his ears: “If you are going to be a priest, be a good one.”
He was 24 when he was ordained by Archbishop James Liston, alongside Fr Jack Bradley. Both were sent
to help in Christchurch for the first three years of their priesthood, as Auckland had plenty of priests.
Fr Keane was assigned to Addington.
His biggest memory is rushing to the Ballantyne’s fire on November 10, 1947, and giving a general absolution to the 41 trapped in the horrific blaze.
On returning to Auckland diocese, Fr Keane worked as a curate at St Mary’s in Hamilton for a year, at Epsom for three years and Ellerslie for five years. He then served as parish priest at Ponsonby for 12
years and at Meadowbank for five years.
In 1974 he came to Gisborne and acted as parish priest of Makaraka- Ormond until his retirement in
1997. During those years, Fr Keane became well known for his expertise as a ham radio operator.
Although Fr Keane’s memory is now beginning to let him down, his wit and good humour are as lively
as ever.
One of those who attended the occasion at Leighton House was Margaret Millar, who is employed by the clergy of Hamilton diocese to ensure all the diocese’s retired priests are well looked after.