Maurice Paul Mifsud

Born
2 May 1926

Entered Eternal Life
8 February 2010

Delivered at Memorial Mass – Holy Spirit Church, Sandy Bay 20 March 2010

With a mixture of humour, humility and humanity, we know Maurice as a man who lived his dream. His life expressions help explain his powerful persona. Maurice’s commitment to his faith is what made him an effective figure.

Maurice Paul Mifsud was born in Malta on 2 May 1926 to parents Carmela and Philip. Brother to Mary and Tessie, who survive him, and Edward, Walter, Louis and Joseph, all now deceased. His brothers Edward and Walter were killed during World War ll. A monument to their memory stands at the entrance of his town centre of Attard, in Malta.

Unlike most men and women who are part of the SDC in Malta, Maurice did not grow up in it. He was reluctant to attend the meetings and was finally persuaded by a friend to attend and remained ever since.

Maurice was incorporated into the SDC in 1944, when the world was at war. It was also during the early weeks of his first job with the government in Malta. He told the story that he required permission to leave work for a couple of hours so that he may be at his incorporation.

He learnt much from the early Members; his mentor being Eugene Borg, the first Superior General. Maurice was one of the original six chosen by the Founder, now St George Preca, to officially establish the SDC in Australia, arriving with other Members at the iconic Station Pier in Melbourne on the MV Surriento on 18 April 1956.

In Maurice’s unique style, he often related that from the time he arrived in Australia, he placed Miraculous Medals blessed by George Preca, in public places beginning with the port at Fremantle and finally placed some on Mt Wellington here in Hobart.

Many of us are familiar with the stories that Maurice narrates, withholding an audience more often than not. In the last few years of his life, he was pleased to see his Australian Stories of the early days of the SDC published. One story that he never forgot to tell us was from an event in September 1961. The Delegate of the Superior General in Australia at the time, Father Joseph Abela and four Members including Maurice, came to Hobart to explore the possibility of beginning the SDC in this State. This at the request of the Archbishop of Hobart, Sir Guilford Young. The Archbishop had already requested a copy of our Constitutions and wanted to discuss the matter further.

Maurice related that they met the Archbishop for two consecutive days and went for a drive with him around Hobart and shared further aspects of the life of a Member and that of the local church. Whilst taking a keen interest in the mission and work of the SDC, questions were direct from the Archbishop, particularly about the spiritual life of the Member.

While driving along Strickland Avenue which was named after Sir Gerald Strickland, former Prime Minister of Malta, and once Governor of Tasmania, the Vow of Forgiveness, which Members make, was referred to. On hearing this, in a style that would be familiar with many of us, the Archbishop parked the car to the side of the road, removed his hat, bowed his head on the steering wheel and said: "Please come to Tasmania."

This action struck Maurice very deeply, resulting in him coming to Hobart in November of that year, and stayed ever since. He has been most generous with his time and personal resources.

Maurice fell in love with Tasmania at first sight and never tired of the beautiful environs of Preca House on Sandy Bay Road that overlooks the Derwent, and said many times that he has been to many places throughout the world but nothing could compare with his beautiful Tasmania. And from the vista from his room overlooking the bay, this is certainly true.

Maurice had a wealth of knowledge relating to church history, lives of saints and apologetics and shared his knowledge willingly with all – many long nights and stories afterwards. In Melbourne and Hobart, he worked for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs as an auditor in the Housing Department.

He led the SDC as Regional Superior from 1975 through to 1997. His focus was to contribute to the Church in the Australian setting. The SDC grew in Australia against many difficulties, but Maurice had a vision for us. Under Maurice’s leadership many Members joined. He was instrumental in establishing the SDC in Queensland and always encouraged Members to be generous in transferring from state-to-state.

He continued with the idealism and spirit of George Preca to the end but very much aware of the Australian setting and culture. He always thought that both could merge quiet successfully. He was strident in his efforts to preserve the spirit of the Founder in the prayer life of the SDC. His deepest conviction was to contribute to the Australian Church outside a migrant setting. He had a concern for the poor and under-resourced families and chose to be with them whenever possible, but believed the greatest poverty was to be without faith in Jesus his brother. Daily Mass was the hallmark of his spiritual life, making extraordinary efforts to attend, even late in life.

Attached to the ministry in Tasmania, he worked tirelessly often requiring the same from others so convinced he was of the mandate of Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to all – the catch-cry of George Preca, our Founder. He was able to nurture a life of faith and participation in the Church with countless young people and their families in Hobart.

Although Maurice was a very keen soccer player, he did not take on board the sporting pursuits of this country - the Melbourne Cup, Grand Final and sport mad pursuits. He considered sporting pursuits subordinate to faith.

A wonderful time for him was the visit of his sister Mary and brother-in-law Joseph who travelled from Malta and his sister Tessie and brother-in-law Victor, now deceased, from Sydney to visit him in Hobart in 2004, celebrating sixty years as a Member. Maurice showed them the sights, rejoicing in the beauty of Tasmania.

Maurice remained aware of the precious nature of his vocation to the Church and gave of himself to the very end. He has shown a deep and convinced religious spirit, an apostolic consciousness and an example to all of what a vocation is. He has stuck very close to this mandate during the eighty-three years of his life.

Maurice was a contemporary of St George Preca and did live to see his canonisation into the universal Church. He was not able to attend the celebrations in Rome in June 2007, but did travel to Melbourne to celebrate this great event at St Patrick’s cathedral.

In May 2005, Maurice visited Malta to check the retirement facilities of the SDC there. On his return, he was emphatic that retirement for him was here in Hobart, but as his frailty progressed, he took the opportunity to retire in his birthplace, Malta. In April 2009, I together with two other Members accompanied Maurice on his return to Malta to reside at the Samaritan Centre, St Venera. We were pleased that the last few months of his life were lived in comfort in his birthplace surrounded by the support of Members and family. Maurice passed from this life on 8 February 2010.

Peace be with you, Maurice.

Peter Judge sdc