Reverend Father John Flynn
Born: 11th February 1932 – Died: 19th March 2008
Eternal Rest Grant unto him O Lord
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Monica’s Cathedral Cairns on Wednesday 26th March 2008. Bishop of Cairns, Bishop James Foley presided. Priests and religious of the Cairns Diocese attended as also did Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane, a former Bishop of Cairns.
John Flynn was born to Dr Tom and Noreen Flynn in Warwick on 11th February 1932, the eldest of four boys and two girls. Tom Flynn (Nudgee 1911-13) was Dux of the College in 1913. He chose to be a country doctor, so in John's early days the family moved from Augathella to Springsure, Emerald, Mossman, Innisfail and Cairns.
John received his education at various Catholic schools across Queensland. He completed his secondary schooling at Nudgee College (1946-49) before commencing studies at Banyo Seminary in 1950.
John was ordained in Cairns in 1956. Fr John's first placement in 1957 was as Assistant Priest in the Atherton Parish where he remained until 1960. After a brief period as acting Parish Priest of Babinda, Fr John then spent the next 11 years as Parish Priest of Ravenshoe and Malanda. In 1971, Fr John commenced his interesting and challenging ministry in the Gulf Mission and in 1973 he combined this with his duties as Parish Priest of Herberton. In November 1987, he was called to St Monica's Cathedral, Cairns as Administrator. He continued in this position until 1993, when he was appointed as Parish Priest to Our Lady Help of Christians, Earlville.
Over the years, as well as his duties as Parish Priest, Fr John was involved in the Cursillo Movement, including several years as Chaplain to the National Secretariat. Other interests included Marriage Encounter, Scripture Study and Seminars. He found a new lease of life when he travelled to the Holy Land to do scripture studies in Jerusalem. Fr John was involved in community health agencies including Alcoholics Anonymous and Palliative Care. Fr John continued to administer to the varied needs of the Earlville Parish where he also enjoyed the fellowship of the school community of Our Lady Help of Christians, St Gerard Majella and St Mary's College.
Fr John was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in December 2006. In May 2007, Fr Hilary Flynn, John's brother, who was Parish Priest of Ravenshoe at the time, moved to Earlville to take care of Fr John and the Earlville Parish. Fr John was presented with the Docemus Award in August for his outstanding contribution to Catholic Education. He retired from his role as Parish Priest in November 2007, when he moved into the care of the staff of Mary Potter Nursing Home.
Father John died peacefully on the afternoon of Wednesday 19th March 2008.
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