Material on Walter McDonagh, who departed the Society of Jesus, as a scholastic.
Born: 9 October 1911
Entered: 2 September 1929
Left: 19[43]

File relating to Fr John Purcell SJ, including application to join the Society, correspondence with Irish Fr Provincials, catalogue entries, and memorial card.

Letter from Fr George Kelly SJ, St Mary's Presbytery, North Sydney, Australia to Irish Fr Provincial J Murphy SJ concerning a letter written by a priest in Rome 'which has been taken up amongst certain laymen who are in the confidence of Ecclesiastical circles.' Refers to a Cardinal Moran and remarks '...there has been much gossip about the probability of his remaining in Rome.' Refers to Fr [Michael] Dooley and remarks 'It had been...a matter of public notoriety and some amusement amongst Ours that for years Fr Dooley has been in the habit of writing constantly to Propaganda...about anything...in the Ecclesiastical world and lately...about the Cardinal's future.' Includes a note written by Fr Provincial concerning a meeting he had with Cardinal Moran about the letter.

Letter from the Archbishop of Sydney, Patrick Cardinal Moran, The Irish College, Rome to Irish Fr Provincial James Murphy SJ concerning the change of the site of the Jesuit's High School from it's present site to North Sydney.

Copy of a letter from the Micheal Kelly, Archbishop of Sydney, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney to Fr John Ryan SJ (Superior of the Australian Mission) concerning two issues raised in letters from Fr Ryan SJ to the Archbishop, namely sanction for a loan to extend St Mary's Church, Milson's Point and the restoration of parish duties to the Fathers at Loyola.

A file of letters from Fr Daniel Clancy SJ to Fr Provincial concerning the Australian Mission. Includes a letter concerning the outlay on the primary school at Lavender Bay and remarks that the school could have been built for a lot less 'I think most of us here, if not all, feel that it was a gross mistake to put Fr Kennedy at the head of any mission as Superior...he is absolutely unfit - that he lacks not only judgement but knowledge and temper.' (28 February 1881, 12pp). Includes a letter referring to a site in Sydney he feels would be suitable for the Jesuit fathers to establish a school. Remarks that the house was lived in by the present Agent General Sir S. Samuel. Refers to the extravagance of the school at Lavender Bay. Remarks 'It is said...that the blunder at Lavender Bay is so foolish that the reputation of the Society here cannot be restored unless the Jesuits undertake some work in the city that will prove they are not incapable.' (16 July 1881, 10pp). Includes a letter referring again to Lavender Bay. Remarks 'A lawyer who knows all our affairs very accurately has told me this very month that we shall never be able to meet the liabilities on Lavender Bay and that the best and only thing to do is to part with that mission for this can be done.' Concludes in a postscript 'You will observe that the tenants lease for Auburn House (Saul Samuel's) expires the same time as our lease for St Kilda House. But the time to secure that is now most urgently - or never.' (5 August 1881, 8pp). Includes a letter asking for more Fathers to be sent out. Refers to rumours of a new mission being started in Invercargill, New Zealand. Remarks 'The fact is help is very urgently wanted without undertaking fresh work and unless help comes quickly and of the right kind it is better we should be all recalled in good time.' (25 September 1881, 6pp). Includes a letter containing a sketched plan of St Aloysius College. Describes the property (19 April 1885, 3pp).

Letters from Fr Dominic V. Connell SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial. Includes a letter giving his opinion about the creation of a Vice-Province of the Society in Australia (26 June 1925, 1p).

A file of letters from Fr Edward Corish SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial concerning the voyage to Australia and his appointment to St Francis Xavier's, Lavender Bay, North Sydney.

A file of letters from Fr George Kelly SJ, St Mary's, North Sydney and Manresa, Hawthorn Melbourne to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Australian Mission.

A file of letters from Fr James Colgan SJ to Irish Fr Provincials concerning the Australian Mission [and his return home].

A file of letters from Fr John Fahy SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 19 March 1931-25 August 1939) to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ. Includes a letter referring to a visit to the Hong Kong Mission. Remarks 'Your men are doing glorious work there I had expected great things; the reality surpassed my expectations. That will become a first class mission.' (25 February 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter referring to plans for a retreat house and scholasticate at Sydney. Refers to the Archbishop of Perth and his desire for the Jesuit fathers to build a college in Perth. Remarks '...he wishes to get the Jesuits into his diocese. It does not seem to have occurred to him that the people of Perth would be expected to support any Jesuit Fathers who work there. So we exchange letters on this question of filthy lucre.' (1 April 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter expressing his thanks to Fr Kieran SJ for writing about the Australian Jesuits studying in Ireland. Remarks '...I am most grateful for your interest in them and your care of them. Other Provincials never write about our men: all we get is the bill and the exam results...' Refers to his own position as Provincial of the Vice-Province. Remarks 'Yes, our period of office is drawing to a close...I long for the day... Boys oh Boys, think of it: no more "relationes", no more triennial papers, no more elenchi, no more building, no more administratio temporalis, no more...peace perfect peace.' (21 April 1937, 2pp). Includes a letter referring to the proposed opening of a scholasticate in January 1938 (25 October 1938, 1p).

A file of letters from Fr John Meagher SJ (Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province 25 August 1939-1 October 1947) to Irish Fr Provincial (John R. MacMahon SJ and Thomas Byrne). Includes a letter referring to an offer by the Apostolic Delegate to take a minor seminary in New Zealand in 1947. Asks if four or five young priests could be sent out. Remarks 'We have offers of work from practically every Bishop in Australia and must refuse for want of men. Our recruiting is bad and I really don't know what to do to remedy the trouble.' (10 November 1945, 1p). Includes a letter referring to a request by Fr Dan O'Connell SJ for Fr Richard Ingram SJ to help with his work in the Riverview Observatory. (18 March 1946, 1p). Includes a number of letters concerning Fr Cooney and his ill health. Includes a letter remarking 'He (Fr Cooney) wants to return to Hong Kong in September but I think you realise his return there would probably settle his chances of ever doing any more work...I think that Fr Cooney will never be really fit to return to Hong Kong (15 May 1946, 1p). Includes a letter referring to proposals to open colleges in Adelaide and Brisbane. Remarks due to the shortage of Jesuit Fathers that this is impossible. (27 June 1946, 1p).

A file of letters from Fr John Roney SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ concerning his work and the community at Norwood, South Australia. Includes a letter referring to the finances of St Francis Xavier's, North Sydney (28 August 1918, 5pp)

A file of letters from Fr Patrick Tighe SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ concerning the voyage to Australia, his work in Australia and his work as a chaplain in the First World War. Includes a letter concerning his appointment to the new Novitiate and remarks that he is not pleased and that he feels himself unfit for the role (16 June 1914, 4pp). Includes a letter describing his work in Egypt. Remarks 'The war is truly terrible but it has opened the gates of Heaven to many of those killed in battle and it is drawing countless hearts to God - this is the universal experience of the chaplains.' Continues '...my health continues quite robust...I have got quite accustomed to the sleeping bag on the floor...' (2 March 1916, 2pp). Includes a letter referring to his departure from Egypt. Refers to the 1916 Rising in Ireland. Remarks '...what a terrible time you have had in Dublin recently...it seems inconceivable that there could have been such a widespread movement without the knowledge of the authorities.' Continues '...what a drain on the Province and Mission the war is proving and yet how necessary the chaplains are...' (25 May 1916, 2pp).

A file of letters from Fr Thomas P Brown SJ (Mission Superior, 14 June 1908-9 April 1913) to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the Australian Mission and community matters in the various houses. Includes a letter written from St. Ignatius, Richmond, Melbourne referring to the Archbishop's decision to cut off the Greenwich district from the North Sydney district he assigned to the Society of Jesus. 'This invasion was a surprise to many who fondly believed that H.E. had promised not to cut off the Greenwich district provided we kept a Father at Loyola to attend to it. This condition was fulfilled.' (25 January 1911, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to Fr Pigot SJ and his trip to see also London. Remarks that Fr Pigot hopes to visit seismographic stations in Europe, and Japan 'What he hopes to gain by the tour it is not easy for an outsider to determine. He knows as much about seismographs as any of his contemporaries and the difference between one instrument and another finds a parallel, it seems to me, in tweedledum and tweedledee' (6 September 1911, 4pp). Includes notes from a meeting held at Richmond, Melbourne to discuss the possibility of closing one or more of the Australian Colleges (15 July 1912, 2pp).

Letters from Fr William O'Dowling SJ to Irish Fr Provincial John Conmee SJ concerning his work in Australia (St. Mary's, North Sydney and Sevenhills, South Australia).

A file relating to Fr John Purcell SJ and his failing health.

A file relating to Mr Francis Davis's request to leave the Society of Jesus. Includes a letter expressing his intention to stay in Australia. (12 March 1911, 1p). Includes a copy of a letter from Fr Thomas Brown SJ (Superior of the Mission), St Mary's, North Sydney to Mr Davis remarking that it would be wise for him to return to Ireland (1 July 1911, 1p).