Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

DEATH OF FATHER P. ZUNDOLOVICH.
Zealous Priest of the Great Outback.
THE LATE FATHER PAUL ZUNDOLOVICH.

The death of Very Rev. Father Paul E. Zundolovich, at the presbytery, Moama, on Tuesday, 7th inst., removed one of the most picturesque personalities of the Church in Southern Riverina. During the past 18 years 'Father Paul,' as he was affectionately known, was in charge of the Moama parish, and his unexpected demise has cast a gloom over the large district in which he acted as parish priest. Following medical advice, Father Paul was taken to Melbourne for treatment in February, and was under the care of the Sisters of Charity at Mt. St. Evin's Private Hospital until his return to Moama on the Thursday before his death. Arriving in apparently good health, the venerable priest immediately arranged to take over his former parish duties, which during his absence were carried out by Rev. Father T. M. Stokes. But he experienced a relapse, and the end came with tragic suddenness. The last rites of Holy Church were received at the hands of Very Rev. Prior Doyle, O.S.A., of Echuca.

Born of Jewish parents about 70 years ago, ho spent his early years in his native land, Lithuania. He was converted to Catholicity in his youth, studied for the priesthood, and was ordained in Borne.

He came to Australia in 1892 as a missionary priest. Parochial responsibilties at Wilcannia and Whitecliffs, N.S.W., absorbed his religious labours for some years, when his priestly work necessitated the use of horse-drawn vehicles. Always holding an honoured position amongst his far-flung parishioners, Father Paul made many friends in all spheres of outback life, and he was loved by Catholics and non-Catholics alike for his personal charm and devotion to his holy religion. A noted linguist, he was able to converse in many languages, and was a reputed Hebrew scholar. Numerous letters from foreign countries were referred to him for translation, and his wise counsel was sought by many prominent members of his Church. He numbered amongst his scholastic class-mates the present Archbishop of Hobart (Most Rev. Dr.Hayden). The present Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes (Right Rev. Dr. T. M, Fox) had the distinction of receiving the Sacrament of Baptism from his hands. Typicalof his love for his parishioners and Church, one of the last expressions of the departed priest on his return to Moama from Melbourne was his delight at being back in the field of his labours Solemn Requiem Mass and Funeral. Beginning with the arrival of his Lordship Bishop Fox, at St. Mary's Church, Echuca, on Thursday, at 10 a.m., the obsequies in connection with tho late priest took place. A large congregation, comprising parishioners from all parts of the district, on both sides of the Murray, filled the spacious church, where Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev.Father T. M. Stokes, acting parishpriest of Moama. The deacon was -Rev.Father Glancy, of Barham, N.S.W.; subdeacon, Rev. Prior Maddbck, ? Kyabram(Vic), and master of coremonies, Rev. Father Tehan, of Rushworth (Vic). His Lordship Dr. McCarthy (Bishop of Sandhurst) was specially represented by Very Rev. Father Kelly, Adm. of St. Kilian's, Bendigo.The Moama and Echuca Borough Councils were represented by their respective Mayors, Messrs. L. Martin (Moama) andJ. H. Broderick (Echuca). Music for the Mass was sung by a choir of visiting priests, comprising Very Rev. Prior Meredith, Rev. Fathers Ryan (Elmoro), Kelly, Carroll and Ryan (Balranald), Cremin, Armstrong,Murphy, McGoldrick, Stokes, and Doyle,and Priors Roche arid Doyle. The Final Absolution was performed by his Lordship Dr. Fox.
Dr. Fox's Inspiring Discourse. At the conclusion of Mass, Dr. Fox, in the course of an inspiring discourse, said:'. 'We are gathered here today to pay a tribute of respect to, and pray for, the soul of one whom to know was to love. Father Paul was a friend to all with whom he came in contact, and although no longer a member of the Church Militant, he is still a member of the Church beyond the grave. 'In relating the life of the late priest, Bishop Fox referred to his ordination in Rome in 1891, and his arrival in Australia in 1892. The greater part of his 43 years of religious service was spent in the great Australian outback, in a parish with an area of 40,000 square miles. The nearest priest to his headquarters at Whitecliffs was 120 miles away, at Broken Hill, which place he visited once yearly for his retreat. Father Paul was often away from home for months at a time, travelling the vast territory and ministering to his people. Unlike many young Irish priests who came to Australia in the early days, Father Paul arrived as a complete foreigner, unable to speak the language, and unaccustomed to the life and standards of Australians; but the faith was so deep within him that he early overcame these difficulties. Although he had been in Moama for 20 years, his name was still fondly remembered, and mentioned in the outback as a true man of God. The late priest's life work included establishing convents at Whitecliffs, Mathoura and Mildura, and building the first Catholic churches at Whitedliffs, Mildura and Womboota. The Bishop concluded his address by thanking the priests of the Bendigo Diocese, and particularly the Augustinian Fathers of Echuca for their kindly help and co-operation in the day's sad ceremonies, and asked all to remember Father Paul in their prayers.A large crowd assembled about St.Mary's Church gates to view the remains being borne from the church. To the tolling of the bell the cortege moved off across the Murray Bridge to the Moama cemetery, making a detour to pass the Moama church. The large number of cars that followed the funeral procession testified to the great love and esteem for the late priest, many travelling great distances to be present. The prayers at the graveside were recited by his Lordship Bishop Fox, assisted by Rev. Father T. M. Stokes. Tho pallbearers, selected from amongst parishioners of Moama, included the following: Messrs. P.Holschen, J. Malone, J. Farrell, M. Fleming, P. Harrison, G. Holschen, J. White, W. Rip:per. J. Harrison, E. Hood, M. Maguire andS. Holschen.— R.I.P.

The Catholic Press Thursday 16 May 1935 page 17