Item 1708 - Br James McGettrick SJ

Born: 22 April 1935, Emlanaughton, Tubercurry, County Sligo
Entered: 22 August 1963, Australiae Province (ASL)
Final vows: 15 August 1977
Died: 11 June 1981, Campion College, Kew, Melbourne, Australia - Australiae Province (ASL)

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
James McGettrick was raised an orphan, living successively in two families until, as a young man, he migrated to Australia where he lived with Mr and Mrs Dan Cullen, at Bayswater, and was helped by them to gain qualifications and find employment as a tradesman.
McGettrick took part in the life of the parish at Bayswater. Then he joined the Society 22 August 1963, after reading an advertisement in the Catholic press about the life of Jesuit brother.
He had a good sense of humour, and an impish sense of fun. He could laugh at the comic and the the pretentiousness in others, without shedding his respect for the whole person He could let himself be laughed at and teased.
He became minister at the Jesuit Theological College in Melbourne, 1973-77, and did a good job. He took his final vows, 15 August 1977. There was a short time spent at Sevenhill during 1978, before his move to Campion College, 1979-81, as minister, bursar and prefect of health. His quiet competence in administration, accounting, and managing staff was obvious. He was kind, unruffled, and totally loyal, with a shrewd appreciation of human matters. He was a wise and valued counsellor.
McGettrick was a talented man, liked working with people, and not afraid of the apostolate. He enjoyed administration, and served the Jesuit community well. He died suddenly of a heart attack, and was much missed by his friends.