RIP, Paul Jennings MSC.
Peter Hendriks writes: Paul passed away early this morning at 12:47 am. Peter Guy and Catherine visited him yesterday afternoon and said that Paul was very lucid and chatty. Peter stayed on until late in the evening. At 7:00 pm Paul went into a deep sleep and died peacefully this morning. He appreciated everyone’s prayers that were being said for him. Paul, may you enjoy your eternal rest with our God of love.
Paul Jennings made his first vows as an MSC on February 26th 1962, studied at the Sacred Heart Monasteries, Canberra and Croydon.. He was ordained on August 29th 1970.
Paul worked in education in Papua New Guinea for most of his life as a priest, since 1971.
However, he became the first Councillor to Brian Gallagher during his time of Provincial, 1993-1998. He then continued in this role for three years for Bob Irwin.
The most recent memory of Paul for many of us - at last year's Chapter
He was a long serving Headmaster of Sacred Heart High School at Hagita, in Milne Bay, for 12 years and at the same time worked on several Department of Education committees in curriculum and teacher capacity building. He was a member of the Ministerial “Matane Commission” in 1986 and 1987 which was tasked with developing a home grown philosophy of education for Papua New Guinea and mapping a way forward for a restructure of the whole education system.
He was Executive Director of St Joseph’s International Catholic College in Port Moresby, Chair of the Governing Council of a new Sacred Heart Teachers College which specialises in recruiting and training Primary teachers for remote and isolated schools; a member of the National Catholic Education Board and an advisor to several government education committees. He is also completing writing a revised curriculum for Upper secondary Religious Education for catholic schools in Papua New Guinea.
Paul was awarded an OBE by the Government of Papua New Guinea in the Queen’s birthday honours list, for services to education and the Church in Milne Bay and Papua New Guinea.