The death occurred of Reverend Father Philip Maxwell Barrett CSsR on August 10, 2021 at The Sisters of Our Lady of China, Beverley Park.
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He was 95 years old.
Fr Max had a strong connection to the Boorowa region after writing a number of books and documenting the history of the Monastery and farm at Galong known as St Clements.
He was appointed to the Galong Monastery, the former home of Ned Ryan, who originated from Clonoulty, County Tipperary, Ireland.
In 1815, Ned and several of his companions leveled a building in Ballagh that was about to be used as a barracks.
Fourteen people were brought to trial for this action, with one man sentenced to be hanged and 13 transported to Australia, including Ned.
He prospered in Australia and acquired a large estate in Galong, building a house which he called Galong Castle.
His only son, John Nagle Ryan, inherited this property and he later donated it to the Redemptorists.
In 1848, John Nagle Ryan was appointed a magistrate in the colony.
He entered politics and became a member of NSW's first Legislative Assembly in 1856.
In 1988, Fr Max visited Clonoulty to give accounts of Ryan and the Galong Monastery.
Fr Michael Gilbert CSsR gave the eulogy at his service.
"Max led a full life. He accomplished much: a writer, an editor, a teacher, a retreat master, a publisher of scores of books and articles," he said.
"They highlight his literary competency.
"He wrote biographies and thumbnail tributes to our deceased confreres. He compiled historical works about our Galong property.
"Max was a missioner-one who leads others on an interior journey of discovery."
Fr Max is missed by his Redemptorist brothers, whom he served with for 76 years.
He is greatly missed by his nephews and nieces, as well as his many friends.
Fr Max formed close associations with the Christian Brothers as a Chaplain at Strathfield.
Source: Tipperary Star