Obituary: Fr Ted - at home in two St Joseph's

Sydney
7 April 2002

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Obituary: Fr Ted - at home in two St Joseph's

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Obituary: Fr Ted - at home in two St Joseph's

Fr Edward Jordan
July 8, 1905-February 19, 2002

The senior priest of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Fr Edward Jordan (pictured), has died. He was 96.

Edward Cyril Jordan was one of the seven children of William and Grace Jordan, of Union St, Tighes Hill, Newcastle. His father was a milk vendor.

The Sisters of Mercy educated Ted at Tighes Hill until he finished his primary final in 1917. He won a bursary to St Joseph's College Hunters Hill, where - in 1918 - he began his studies and an 80-year association with the college and the Marist Brothers.

He spoke highly of the face-to-face teaching in English, Latin and French and frequently recalled the help he got from the college and the brothers.

"They gave me a flying start into the seminary at Springwood and carried me on to the last four years in Rome."

He obtained his leaving certificate in 1922 with Honors in English and French and proceeded to St Columba's College, Springwood, in 1923 and then to St Patrick's College, Manly, in 1924.

In October 1925 he sailed with Bishop PV Dwyer to Rome.

The bishop, a former schoolteacher, took him for classes every morning. These included Italian and the Epistles of St Paul.

Ted was a student at Propaganda Fide College and on December 22, 1928, was ordained in St John Lateran, Rome, by Archbishop Pamphili. He celebrated his first Mass in the catacomb of St Callistus at the tomb of St Cecilia. He completed studies in Rome and returned to Australia.

On his return to Australia he was appointed assistant parish priest of Maitland where he remained until 1931.

Fr Ted moved to St Joseph's Merewether, that year. Fr JJ Costello was the parish priest; when he died he left his car to Fr Ted.

Fr Costello was replaced as parish priest by Fr JJ Coady of Les Darcy fame. During these years he also served as inspector of schools for the diocese.

In 1940 Fr Ted became parish priest of Stockton, where he remained for 21 years. At that time the parish of Stockton included Nelson Bay and the chaplaincy at the RAAF Base at Williamtown.

Fr Ted was struck down with multiple sclerosis in 1945; and was almost completely bedridden for 18 months.

In the 1950s he had a slight recurrence but it was arrested. He became dependent on a walking stick.

Although physically handicapped he travelled to Romania with boxes of clothing for three priest classmates who had spent many years in prison and were now living privately, unable to work publicly as priests.

He secretly gave them money collected from Australian priests who had studied in Rome.

Fr Ted returned to St Joseph's, Merewether, in December 1960.

In 1969 Fr Ted resigned in ill health but remained as assistant priest.

He later moved to Sydney and for a time was resident chaplain to Marist Brothers Provincial House community at Drummoyne.

Then he transferred to St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, where he was to spend the next 25 years.

During this period he responded to requests from numerous priests for assistance. His availability made it possible for many priests to enjoy a vacation.

He ministered in areas as far apart as Haberfield, Dee Why, Beagle Bay, Halls Creek and Kununurra.

In 1995 Fr Ted moved across the road into St Anne's nursing home, conducted by the Sisters of St Joseph. He continued to take a keen interest in world events, including football at the college.

On the Tuesday evening he prayed the prayers for the dying with assembled Marist Brothers and around 8pm his prayers were answered and he was called home.

Mass was celebrated at St Joseph's Chapel, Hunters Hill, on the Thursday evening and at St Joseph's, Merewether, the next day.

Fr Ted had been retired from the parish for about 35 years, but still the Mass attracted many people.

He was buried in the priests' plot at Sandgate Cemetery.