Patrick O’Regan was one of three Irish born brothers who were ordained as priests and joined the catholic ministry in Australia.1
Arriving in Maitland late in 1891, he was attached to the Maitland Diocese in NSW serving at Hamilton; St Mary’s, Newcastle; Branxton and Taree, where he was appointed to assist Father John Foley in 1895. The Taree Parish then extended from Bulahdelah to Camden Haven, but when the need arose, a separate parish was established at Krambach with Patrick O’Regan appointed the first parish priest in 1906.2
In 1910 Father O’Regan was charged with assaulting Lionel Hardy, an oysterman of Tuncurry. No defence was offered and O’Regan was fined ten shillings with six shillings costs or three days hard labour in Forster lock up. The fine was paid.3
In 1920 Patrick O’Regan, accompanied by a brother, Father Thomas O’Regan, visited his family in Ireland, but returned to Australia and remained as the parish priest at Krambach until his death on October 8 1928.4 He is buried in the Krambach church grounds. Also commemorated on his memorial is the Rev. Joseph Bernasconi, parish priest from 1941-1967.
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
1 Manning River Times Wednesday 19 October 1928 Pg 2
2 Manning River Times Wednesday 19 October 1929 Pg 2
3 Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 8 September 1910 Pg 8
4 Manning River Times Wednesday 19 October 1928 Pg 2
