A loving presence in Hindmarsh/Findon
Obituaries
Fr Noel Mansfield MSC Born January 1 1933; Died May 16 2025
Fr Noel Mansfield will be remembered for his presence and pastoral ministry in the Hindmarsh/Findon parish. He came to the parish in 1990 and served there until 2018 when he moved to the MSC community at Henley Beach.
Noel was born in Bundaberg, Queensland, and grew up with his six siblings in a pub run by his parents Ted and Reta.
He was professed as an MSC in 1953 and ordained to the priesthood in 1967. His ordination was delayed by several years due to a diagnosis of epilepsy after a heavy knock to the head in a football match.
Noel studied teaching, as well as his seminary studies, and so his first ministry was in the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart colleges at Downlands in Toowoomba, Queensland, and Monivae in Hamilton, Victoria.
He enjoyed teaching and this ministry led him to be appointed to be the seminary rector in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea.
On returning to Australia in the 1980s Noel trained as a retreat director at Heart of Life in Melbourne and then served at St Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre, Douglas Park, NSW.
His next move was to Monivae College as chaplain before being appointed to Hindmarsh/ Findon parish as an assistant priest and as such his first time living and ministering in a parish
Noel’s enthusiasm for meeting and greeting people meant that the people soon knew him well. As time went on, he developed a commitment to those in the nursing homes in the parish, and his presence touched the hearts of both those cared for and those of the carers.
Noel produced several publications. His weekly homilies were the first, and this extended to three volumes that covered the three-year liturgical cycle.
His ministry over the years involved significant travelling and he wrote about the times he studied in the Holy Land and other places that involved his sabbatical experiences.
While on sabbatical in Ireland in 2007, Noel was diagnosed with macular degeneration. As his eye disease has progressed over the years, he came to recognise that by telling his story, he might be able to support others with this condition.
In Will I go Blind? he shared his personal and honest experiences of what it is like to be diagnosed with the disability, the kinds of treatments available, the reactions of friends, the need to learn new skills in life and ministry, and especially how it is possible to lead a full life in the community.
Although reading became difficult for him, as a priest having to celebrate Mass, he learnt passages off by heart, so that he continued to celebrate publicly.
His last publication was Dawn to Dusk, Towards a Spirituality of Ageing was published in 2018.
COVID was difficult for many elderly and in 2021 Noel realised that he needed more personal aid and he decided to move to the Sacred Heart Monastery, Kensington, NSW, where he received the care and support he needed. Although Noel spent the last few years at the Monastery, he kept in touch with the many friends and acquaintances from Adelaide.
His eyesight became a handicap, with other health issues making it difficult for him, and in 2024 he moved into St Joseph’s Aged Care, adjacent to the Monastery.
This year Noel’s health deteriorated and after being admitted to hospital he died peacefully.
May he rest in peace.
– Paul Cashen MSC
