John Mullins
It was five and a half years ago that John was first diagnosed with cancer. The treatments sent it into remission for a time but it returned in a severe form just on six months ago. Then two weeks ago the decision was taken that no further treatment was possible and so he then moved into full time palliative care. It gave John the chance to make his final farewell to family, Brothers and friends. He died peacefully this morning on Monday November 12 at around 7.30am.
At the time of his death, John was 77 years of age and in the 58th year of his religious life.
Family Details:
Date of Birth: March 14, 1935.
Place of Birth: Cairns. Australia.
Schooling and Initial Formation:
School Attended: St Augustine’s College, Cairns.
Postulancy: January 1, 1954 – July 1, 1954.
Novitiate: July 2, 1954 – Jul 1, 1955.
Vows:
First Vows: July 2, 1955: At Mittagong to Br Hilary Conroy.
Perpetual Vows: January 15, 1961 at St Joseph’s College to Br Quentin Duffy.
Ongoing Education and Formation:
The day after his first profession, John was in the classroom and much of the next twenty years he spent in his beloved Far North Queensland. It wasn’t until 1974 that he had the opportunity for personal study and began his Bachelor’s degree. He then did a scripture course in Rome in 1981 and had some personal renewal in Hawkstone Hall (England) in 2001.
Community and Ministry Appointments:
John was a skilled teacher and administrator and on five occasions he was called upon to be the Principal of the school to which he was appointed. He was the foundation Principal at Trinity College in Beenleigh and at Catherine McAuley College in Grafton and nearly all of his appointments were in country settings. John also served the Brothers for many years as a Community Leader and two years as the Province Secretary. He enjoyed being fully engaged in whatever ministry setting he found himself and gave it his all.
May he rest in peace.
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Br Anthony Robinson – Province Secretary