A beloved priest of 65 years, who believed in the importance of being “kind and gentle” to everyone, has been farewelled from St Mary’s Cathedral today.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP was joined by bishops and priests of the Sydney Archdiocese to celebrate the funeral Mass of Fr Kevin Muldoon. Members of Fr Kevin’s family were also present, including his sister Mary and several nieces and nephews, as well as many friends and former parishioners.
In his homily Archbishop Fisher described the 95 year-old Fr Kevin as having a “sunny disposition” whose approach was always “gentle and affirming”.
“Fr Kevin would always greet you with ‘lovely day’ no matter how foul the weather,” Archbishop Fisher said.
He also spoke of Fr Kevin’s deep faith saying that he had, “a deep, supernatural faith in that ultimate victory of life over death.”
“He always loved his priesthood and stressed how important it is to be kind and gentle to all.”
Fr Kevin was not a theologian, Archbishop Fisher said, and if asked to explain he would typically respond, “It’s a mystery, have faith.” Hence, his nick-name “Mystery Muldoon”.
Ordained in 1952 at St Aloysius Church in Cronulla, Fr Kevin spent several years serving in Hong Kong and Malaysia and was later appointed Chaplain of St Michael’s College at Sydney University.
Last year he celebrated 65 years of priesthood and received the Papal Award of Croce pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Pope Francis.
