View photos from the Funeral Mass here: Flickr
A retired priest of the Diocese of Parramatta, Fr Brian Larkey, died on Monday 7 December in Concord Hospital. He was 83.
The son of Clement and Mary Larkey, he grew up in the Sydney suburb of Belmore with his sisters Imelda and Pauline and brother James.
The young Brian was educated at St Joseph’s Primary, Belmore, and by the Christian Brothers at Chatswood.
He entered St Columba’s Seminary, Springwood, before going on to St Patrick’s Seminary, Manly.
On 20 July 1957, he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Gilroy in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney.
When the Diocese of Parramatta was established in 1986, Fr Larkey read the mandate of appointment at the Mass of Installation of Bishop Bede Heather. Fr Larkey was Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral from 1986-1991.
He was NSW Director of the 1986 Papal Visit when Pope John Paul II came to the newly established Diocese of Parramatta.
During his time as Parish Priest of St Finbar’s Parish at Glenbrook, Fr Larkey was responsible for having the new church built and installing the beautiful pipe organ, which will feature in this year’s annual Music and Readings for Christmas on 20 December.
Fr Larkey’s other priestly appointments included the parishes of Chatswood, Rozelle, Bondi Beach, Carlingford, Avalon, Maroubra, Neutral Bay, Lewisham, Golden Grove, Parramatta, Glenbrook and Baulkham Hills. He was Director of the Catholic Family Life Centre from 1973-83.
Fr Larkey retired from parish ministry in 2002.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta on Friday 11 December 2015. Fr Larkey was buried in Rookwood Cemetery.
Homily by Very Rev Peter G Williams – Read here and listen here
View photos from the Funeral Mass here: Flickr
