Name
Gerard Reuben Conlan
Something you do not know about him
Gerard can fly light aircraft, but had to stop due to the high cost.
Attended Primary School
Binya Primary School, near Barellan from 1967-1973
Attended Secondary School
- Chevalier College (MSC) in Bowral, NSW from 1974-1976 (boarding), and
- Mazenod College (OMI) in Perth, West Australia from 1977-1979 (boarding)
Tertiary Education
- West Australian School of Mines in Kalgoorlie from 1980-1983 (B. Engineering - Mining)
- Melbourne College of Divinity from 1997-2000 (B. Theology)
Melbourne College of Divinity from 2002-2003 (M. Theological Studies)
- University of Notre-Dame Australia from 2009-2010 (Graduate Diploma in Education - Secondary)
- St. Mary's University, Minnesota, USA in 2010 (Nairobi - Graduate Cert. in African Culture)
Skills Training
Computer classes, motorbike/car/truck/bus licenses, first aid courses in the mines, mine rescue training.
He has also taught himself the following skills
- Computer programming and spreadsheet work
- Tae Kwon Do martial arts (but now he says "I've forgotten it all")
He has the following hobbies and sporting interests
- Camping and "going bush" to enjoy nature.
- Jogging
- Reading and watching movies (but he "complains" there is too little time for that).
Achievements that he is proud of are
1 - Mining Engineering work (from 1984-1997)
2 - Helping the youth in his Missionary work
3 - Still believing in God and becoming a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate
Gerard Reuben Conlan heard about the Oblates in the year
In 1977 when he attended boarding school. But it wasn't until 1991 that he began thinking about religious life and priesthood.
He was attracted to the Oblates because
Because of their send of joy and community life...supporting each other and down to earth people (in Mazenod College and in Indonesia).
The life of St Eugene that really inspires him is
His life really inspired him because of the struggles he endured and the fact that he was still able to thank God for what he had. A great sense of appreciation, rather than complaining. He read the whole four volumes, by Leflon, on the life of St. Eugene while working as a volunteer in Indonesia (1991).
The quotes of St Eugene that he really feels inspired by are
"you are superiors of brothers not subordinates;"
"Make the best of all that is given you;"
"help them to become human, first of all, and then Christian and finally Saints."
Although he is open to any Ministry the Mission might request him to do, his favourite ministry (for now) is
Although he is open to any Ministry the Mission might request him to do, his favourite ministry (for now) is using his practical skills to develop projects for the poor, teaching, working with the youth and managing finances.
He hopes to receive further training in the areas of
Counselling, Financial management and construction techniques.
He feels called to be a missionary to the following countries
Gerard says he's too old to learn a new language, so anywhere that has a lot of English speakers. Kenya is just fine for now!
Place
St. Mary's Seminary - Melbourne, Australia
Comment
Postulancy"Pre-Novitiate
Place
St. Mary's Seminary - Melbourne, Australia
Place
St. Mary's Seminary - Melbourne, Australia
Place
St. Mary's Seminary - Melbourne, Australia
Comment
Phlosophy/Theology incl. biblical studies
Place
St. Mary's Seminary - Melbourne, Australia
Place
St. John Vianney's Parish
Comment
Melbourne, Australia
Place
Basilica of St. Patrick
Comment
Fremantle, West Australia
Place
Assistant, St. David's Parish
Date
October 2003 - July 2006
Comment
Adelaide, South Australia
Place
Chaplain at Iona College & Rosies Youth Mission
Date
July 2006-August 2008
Comment
Brisbane, Queensland
Place
Mazenod College, Victoria
Date
August - December 2008
Comment
Chaplain (Melbourne)
Place
University of Notre-Dame Australia
Date
January - December 2009
Comment
Chaplain & start Dip. Edu.
Place
Lesmurdie Parish, West Australia - Teach at Mazenod College
Date
January - April 2010
Comment
Compted Dip. Education (Sec.) Maths/Computing
Place
OMI Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
Comment
African Culture Studies - Graduate Certificate - St. Mary's University Minnesota, USA
Date
August - November 2010
Comment
Kiswahili Language Studies
Place
St. Stephen's Parish, Kionyo
Date
December 2010-June 2017
Comment
Assistant Parish Priest - Parish Priest - Mission Treasurer (1st term)
Place
Karen, Nairobi, Oblate Pre-Novitiate Community
Comment
Mission Treasurer - Development Officer - Self-Reliance Officer
Date
June 14, 2017 to August 15, 2019
Comment
Mission Treasurer (2nd term)
