In Memoriam, Gerry Burke MSC, Ministry and Requiem photos
Ministry memories: Malcolm Fyfe MSC
Photos: John Walker MSC
Brother Gerry Burke MSC RIP
Brother Gerry Burke was born 21 August 1934. After completing Secondary Studies at Chevalier College Bowral NSW, a College run by the MSCs, he made his first Religious Profession on August 5th, 1953, at Douglas Park, NSW, and then spent the next four years working at Downlands College, another of our Colleges, in Toowoomba, Queensland. From there he went to the Sacred Heart Monastery, Croydon, in Victoria, where he worked as Assistant Cook, before moving on to Monivae College, Hamilton, Victoria, where he worked as Chief Cook from 1960-1965. Such labour intensive years spent in kitchens would be more than enough to engender an antipathy to any further work over a hot stove!
In 1966 he moved back to his old Alma Mater, Chevalier College, Bowral, NSW, as Dormitory Master, Cadets in charge and Sports Master, where he stayed until 1974.
His next move was to Darwin where he joined St. John's College Staff as Dormitory and Discipline Master and Junior School Coordinator. His significance in these roles was so noteworthy that at a later date one of the Boarding Houses was named Burke House, after him. Additionally, former St John’s students from all walks of life were always pleased to meet up with him again and talk about old times. He is remembered fondly at St Johns.
From 1992-2000 Bro. Gerry was involved in Hospital Chaplaincy up here, as well as in Mackay and Canberra. He prepared himself for this work by completing three units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
From 2001-2007 he worked at the Encompass Institute in Sydney and also helped as a Volunteer at St. Joseph's Parish, Auburn.
Returning to Darwin in 2008, Brother Gerry was involved with two parishes, St. Paul's in Nightcliff and Our Lady Help of Christians, Palmerston, and also in prison Chaplaincy work. One way and another, from his work in Education, Missions or parishes, Gerry knew a surprising number of long time Territory residents. He had a quiet extraordinary memory for people’s names and family relationships. Not unsurprisingly, as regards his work as Prison Chaplain, he quite frequently met familiar faces in prison. It seems as though we Catholics are very well represented in this institution! Be that as it may, for some time I happened to serve on a Prison Chaplains Support Committee and so am in a position to testify to the esteem and appreciation Bro Gerry had as a result of his prison ministry.
So all in all, Brother Gerry spent 41 years of dedicated ministry here in Darwin followed by about 5 years of semi-retirement back at Chevalier College Bowral.
Thank you, Gerry, for your enormous contribution to the life of our MSC Congregation, to the work of the Church in a variety of places and activities, with special reference to your varied ministry here in Darwin. Your almost 70 years of religious commitment is something of which anybody could be justly proud.
Both the Australian MSC Province and the Diocese of Darwin are proud of you and grateful for your time with us.
May you rest in peace.
Father Malcolm Fyfe msc VG
