PAUL DRYDEN CM
25 Jan 1931 – 4 July 2017
Paul was born in Sydney in 1931 the second youngest of seven children His mother died when he was two years of age. His Primary schooling was in Sydney but family circumstances saw his secondary education transferred to St Stanislaus’College Bathurst, NSW conducted by the Congregation of the Mission. Impressed with the priests at the College, in 1951 he entered St Joseph’s Training College the Vincentian Seminary at Eastwood in Sydney, where he completed his studies, he was ordained on 19 October 1957 at St Vincent’s Church, Ashfield.
Paul spent his first year after Ordination as a curate St Joseph’s Parish Malvern, Victoria, before being transferred out in the country to St Vincent’s College Bendigo then conducted by the Congregation of the Mission as Bursar. After five years here he was transferred back to his alma mater “Stannies” again as Bursar for five years.
In 1969 Paul was sent to the parish at Wandal, Queensland in the Rockhampton Diocese as Parish Priest.. It was during Paul’s time at Wandal that the new Church of St Vincent was built. There he was known as a very much “hands on”’ Pastor ever ready to pitch in with hammer, saw or shovel in hand. He was always readily available to his parishioners and a much loved Pastor.
A variety of postings followed – Chaplain to Cabrini Hospital Malvern; resident Chaplain Lourdes Retirement Village Killara in Sydney. In the Diocese of Bathurst – Chaplain of St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Administrator at the parishes of Molong and Kandos.
In retirement Paul was always most appreciative of the concern and support from the Vincentian Community and especially in Sydney from the Vincentian Community in Marsfield who cared for him with dedication, devotion and affection during his retirement. His final days were spent at Cardinal Freeman Aged Care, where in the 60th year of his Priesthood, he quietly slipped away to God on 4 July last.
Paul was a much loved priest by all who knew him, ever faithful to his Vincentian calling in the Congregation of the Mission and the charisms of its founder St Vincent de Paul.