Edward Wood

Summary

• Name: Edward Wood
• born: 15 May, 1922
• parents: HIlda Daire and George Stanley Wood

More Information

A personal profile written by Eddie

A short profile of the times of Edward Wood, (d.o.b. 15 May, 1922), the first-born Australian of this Wood Family, and it is possibly my only claim to fame! Childhood was like any other person of the 1920 - 30's. Life was simple, frugal and generally happy. One of first students at St. Gabriel's School, Reservoir, Victoria, with further education at the Christian Brothers in Clifton Hill and Abbotsford. Apprenticed as precision engineer (toolmaker) at the Ordnance Factory, Maribyrnong where I stayed till well after World War II, followed by new employment in both plastic and metal diemaking. At age 27, while foreman of an engineering shop, I left to study for the priesthood in the Blessed Sacrament Congregation at St. Francis' Church, Melbourne, Victoria's oldest Catholic Church.

Study followed in Australia, Rome and ordination was in Leicester, UK, in 1958. It was the first Catholic ordination in Leicester for 400 years. A chequered career followed first in Australia as Lecturer in theology, philosophy and Sacred Scripture. Superior of St. Francis' Church, later St. Peter Julian's, Sydney and, finally, Provincial Superior of the SSS ( = Blessed Sacrament Congregation ) embracing Australia, Sri Lanka and India. These roles are only temporary and later I was lecturing in Sri Lanka, India and for eight years in Davao,  Philippines. This was interspersed with four trips to minister in Indonesia where I was the acting parish priest for the expatriate communities in Jakarta.

Many elements cannot be noted here but now I am back at St. Francis' where my life as a religious and priest began. I am now 79 but still fully engaged in the ministry of this famous church in Melbourne, Victoria. Precise details are in my curriculum vitae. Vale!

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