The Starlet and Life in Wah Yan College Hong Kong

Rev. Fr. Francis McGaley S.J.

Rev. McGALEY, Francis SJ

歐陽理神父

* Birth in Ireland (愛爾蘭): [11 February 1922]

* Enter Novitiate: [7 September 1940]

* Ordination in Ireland: [29 July 1954]

* Arrival in Hong Kong: [1948]

* Death in Hong Kong: [23 May 2000]

# Information according to “Jesuits in Hong Kong, South China and Beyond” / Pictorial memories of the Jesuits in Hong Kong 1926 to 2016

Click above photo to learn about life of Father McGaley

Father Francis McGaley, S.J.

R.I.P.

Father Francis McGaley died in St. Paul’s Hospital on 23 May 2000 after a long illness. He was 78.

Father McGaley came to Hong Kong in 1948 and studied Cantonese in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. He taught in Wah Yan College, Robinson Road for one year before returning to Ireland in 1951 to study theology. In 1956 he returned as a priest to teach in the new Wah Yan on Queen’s Road East where with the exception of one year (1959-60) in Cheung Chau studying Cantonese and another (1956-66) in London University studying Modern History, he lived until his last illness. He taught History, English and Religion, was the Spiritual Father to the senior students and also had charge of the Christian Life Community and the Apostleship of Prayer. He was a good teacher and appreciated by the students as a person interested and devoted to them. As Spiritual Father he was much sought after by Catholics and others and many Wah Yan old boys kept in contact with him.

Father McGaley was well-known to the parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Wanchai, where for over 30 years he said Sunday Mass and heard confessions. His pastoral work among religious and lay people included Mass, talks and religious retreats. He led a very full life in the service of God.

Sunday Examiner 4 June 2000

耶穌會歐陽理神父

息勞歸主

耶穌會神父歐陽理長時間在聖保祿醫院養病後，於二０００年五月廿三日息勞歸主，享年七十八歲。

歐陽理神父一九四八年來港，在廣州學習廣東話，然後返回香港，在華仁書院教書一年後，五一年回愛爾蘭攻讀神學。五年後他晉陞司鐸返港，到香港皇后大道東的華仁書院任教，並於五九年至六０年在長洲學習廣東話，六五至六六年到倫敦大學攻讀現代歷史。除上述兩段時間外，他自五六年起一直在香港華仁書院任教和生活，直至身體欠佳退休。教學期間歐陽理神父任教歷史、英文及宗教，擔任高年班學生神師多年，負責基督生活團和祈禱宗會。歐陽理神父深受學生欣賞，學生畢業離校多年仍有聯絡他。

此外，歐陽理神父深為灣仔聖母聖衣堂的教友熟悉，他在該堂區服務三十多年，並且在修道團體和信友聚會當中擔任牧民工作，主持退省。在其司鐸生涯中，歐陽理神父不斷服務天主，活得豐盛而精采。

公教報 2000 年 6 月 4 日

◆ 先賢錄－－香港天主教神職及男女修會會士 (1841-2010), 天主教香港教區檔案處, 2010.

◆ 先賢錄－－香港天主教神職及男女修會會士 (1841-2016), 天主教香港教區檔案處, 2016.

◆ 一九二六年至二零一六年在香港的耶穌會會士影像回憶, 紀歷有限公司, 2016.

I first met Father McGaley when I was just ten, shortly after my baptism. During my time at Pun U Wah Yan Primary School in Wanchai, I frequently attended mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Star Street, located atop Ki Lap School. My earliest memory of Father McGaley is inviting him to hear my first confession. From then on, I regularly attended his 10:30 a.m. masses, always impressed by his Cantonese. I often wondered why God had sent this Ireland-born priest to Hong Kong to spread the Gospels.

One day, as a new Form 1 student at Wan Yan College, Hong Kong, I was surprised to see Father McGaley in the school corridor. I learned that he was a Jesuit Father who taught and lived at the school. Over the years, I saw him more often during masses than in school, but he was often seen wandering on the rooftop at school, likely praying or reading the Bible. He was the only priest who did so on the rooftop of Wah Yan College.

Occasionally, I had closer encounters with Father McGaley, either as an Altar Server in the school chapel or a Lector at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. It wasn't until Form Six that I had regular contact with him when I became the Chief Editor of The Starlet. Father McGaley, the English advisor of the school newspaper, patiently edited every article we wrote and discussed topics for each issue with us. I was fortunate to also be in his History and English classes, where his rich historical knowledge and good memory greatly inspired me.

Once, he invited all the Catholic students in class to a retreat at Xavier House in Cheung Chau. Initially, many of us were reluctant, finding the idea of spending a night on a nearby island boring. However, it turned out to be an inspiring and memorable trip. We read the Bible and prayed together, held group discussions, helped prepare meals, and experienced stargazing for the first time, marveling at the countless stars under a quiet, clear sky.

In Form 7, Father McGaley became our Form Master, offering valuable advice when I decided to go abroad for further studies. His passing rekindled memories of my childhood and school life. As both a teacher and a priest, he was always our role model and guardian. His dedication to education and the church left a lasting impression on me. May Father McGaley rest in peace!