Leo McVeigh

Leo had led a very active life and was working with young people up until the end of 2011.  The following year he moved into a retirement community at Netley in Adelaide, South Australia.  There was a general decline in his health and in February of this year he opted to continue with respite health care in a dedicated facility.  Then recently, he got an infection in his bone marrow and it was clear that the end was approaching.  The Brothers were continuously with him in these last days.  He breathed his last in the early hours of Sunday morning on June 22, 2014. 
At the time of his death Leo, was 89 years of age and in the 71st year of his religious life.

Family Details:
Date of Birth: December 11, 1924
Place of Birth:  Alexandra in Victoria, Australia.

School and Initial Formation:

• Juniorate: January 24, 1940 at Mittagong.
• Postulancy: January 1, 1943 – July 1, 1943.
• Novitiate: July 2, 1943 – July 1, 1944.

Vows:

• First Vows: July 2, 1944: At Mittagong to Br Andrew Power.
• Perpetual Vows: January 1, 1950: At Kilmore.
• Stability:  January 1, 1965:  At Kilmore.

Ongoing Education and Formation:
In the early years of his ministry, Leo taught in Primary and Lower Secondary classes across Australia.  Then in the late 70’s he undertook intensive studies in the Eastern Aranda Language along with studies in Aboriginal culture and anthropology.  Then followed many years of dedicated service to the aboriginal people in Australia, and the people of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
He also participated in the second novitiate program in Fribourg (1962) and the Third Age Course in Rome (1990).

Community and Ministry Appointments.
It was a very busy and varied life for Leo.  After a number of teaching appointments, he was named the Superior of the communities at Parkes and Kyneton, and then he went on to found the community at Alice Springs in Central Australia.  Following his linguistic studies he helped to write the Eastern Aranda Language so that it would not be lost.  Then came his overseas service: assisting the local Catholic Education Secretary in Papua New Guinea; four years of organising supplies to the Marist school on Kairiru Island; then the Solomon Islands assisting with the instruction of Postulants.  Then he returned to Australia and again took up his passion of working with the aboriginal people.  Leo was a very gentle man, much loved by the aboriginal people.  May he rest in peace.

Br Matthew Clarke
Province Secretary