Fr David Catterall, founding priest of St Mary MacKillop parish, Oran Park, in southwest Sydney has been remembered as having a “heart on fire for Jesus” following his death from cancer at Bulli Hospital on 8 July.
“He was ordained to the priesthood on 25 March 2000, just weeks after being diagnosed with breast cancer—a challenge that, like others in his life, he faced with unwavering courage and trust in God. This battle with cancer has been a constant presence throughout his priestly life,” said Wollongong Bishop Brian Mascord in a statement.
Fr Catterall served at St Francis Xavier Cathedral Wollongong, and the parishes of Nowra, Camden, Campbelltown, Rosemeadow, and Albion Park, before being appointed the founding parish priest at Oran Park in 2015.
In August 2024, The Catholic Weekly reported the priest’s efforts in raising more than $22,000 for cancer research with a 30km walk, completed piecemeal while suffering the effects of secondary prostate cancer in his lungs.
While devoted to the care of his parish, Fr Catterall said his priestly ministry had also been lived out in “beautiful moments” in oncology waiting rooms and during therapy sessions.
He was later diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and retired from parish ministry in October.
“In his ministry, Fr David lived what Pope Francis called the vision of a parish: ‘a community of communities … and a centre of constant missionary outreach,” said Bishop Mascord.
“His leadership, wisdom, and pastoral heart were felt not only in the parish setting, but also across the wider diocese, through his work in clergy life and ministry support, liturgy, vocations, and serving as chaplain on numerous pilgrimages.
“Fr David’s life and priesthood bore witness to the words of his beloved St Mary of the Cross MacKillop: ‘We are but travellers here.’ He lived and ministered as one who trusted fully in God’s providence, and who believed, as Servant of God Eileen O’Connor wrote, that ‘no other means save love’ could guide our journey.”
Oran Park administrator Fr Feleki Tautunu said it was “devastating news but a triumph for the priest who fought this battle half of his life.”
“The pain and suffering he endured never prohibited him from giving his 200 percent commitment to serve the Lord in the ministerial priesthood,” he said.
