Fr Terence (Terry) Holland

Early Life

Terence Joseph Holland was born on  December 26,1927 the eldest of four children of Frank and Nell Holland. When he was 15 years old, his father died, apparently prompting one of his brothers to suggest to Terry: "You have to be our father now!" Terry began his education at the Keswick parish school and then Christian Brothers College Wakefield Street. 

Member of the first seminary philosophy class

In his Eulogy at Terry’s Vigil Service David Shinnick recalled his first meeting with Terry on the March 1, 1946 when he arrived at the Senior House of St Francis Xavier Seminary, his first day of seminary life. He said: “We were among 13 students who formed the first class to begin its studies in philosophy in preparation for the priesthood. I remember Terry in the seminary as a serious, studious student, quiet but affably friendly. He seemed to be one of the brighter students who coped well with the philosophy then taught in Latin, whereas some of us had trouble even translating the Latin, let alone understanding the philosophical concepts.”

Parting of the ways

“At the end of 1948, it was decided that Terry and the late Fr Tony Boylan would go on to St Patrick's College, Manly, for their theological studies; and that Mgr Robert Aitken, Fr Robin Sutherland and myself would go to Corpus Christi College, Werribee. His sister Mary recalled that I told their mother that the scholars were going to Manly and the gentlemen to Werribee, to which Mrs Holland responded, ‘Don't you think, David, that Terry is a gentleman?’ How one’s indiscretions surface years later! Terry was, of course, both scholar and gentleman.”

Ordination and early ministry

Terry was ordained priest on July 22, 1952 in St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. His first appointment was as Assistant Priest at Brighton.  Four years later he was appointed Assistant Priest at the Cathedral.  While there he began his studies for a Diploma of Social Studies.  The following year he was appointed Assistant Priest at Goodwood parish. In April 1959 he was appointed Assistant to Fr Roberts at the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau, taking up residence as Chaplain at the Goodwood Orphanage. The following year he was appointed Director of the Bureau – the beginning of an important phase of his life.

Leader in Social Welfare

Continuing his Eulogy David recalls: “As Director of the Bureau, Terry is remembered as being among the most respected people in the field of social welfare in South Australia and beyond, in the national network of the Catholic Church. At this time, Terry also had many other diocesan responsibilities in areas relating to social welfare. I found him to be committed both to the immediate relief of disadvantaged people, and to raising questions about social justice, about the causes of poverty and inequity, and how we, as a diocese, should respond.”

Terry continued as Director of the Bureau until 1972, but continued to have oversight of Catholic Social Welfare until 1980. During this time he was quite influential on many Social Welfare policies, not only within the Church but at both State and Federal level. He was one of the initial members of the National Catholic Social Welfare Commission. 

Meanwhile in January 1972 Fr Terry was appointed Secretary to the Archbishop and living at the Archbishop’s House, West Terrace. At the same time he was Secretary to the Senate of Priests until June 1980. He was also Spiritual Director to the St Vincent de Paul Society.

In January 1980 he was Appointed Assistant Priest at Semaphore while continuing as part-time Secretary to the Archbishop.

Back to Parish Life

In January 1981 Fr Terry was appointed Parish Priest of Gawler. In 1983 Terry was chosen to represent the priests on the Diocesan Pastoral Renewal Committee. He brought to the Committee a wide knowledge of the workings of the diocese, a keen mind, a deep understanding of renewal and a conviction of the importance of personal and communal spirituality, and of prayer.

Having been through two serious operations in the early 1970s Terry also brought to the Committee an experience of suffering and fragility as well as an enduring optimism. He didn't say much but when he did it was very much to the point, because he had the ability to get to the heart of an issue.

Friend and spiritual director

David Shinnick recalls: “In the mid-1990s Terry was my Spiritual Director for about three years. He was then a member of the Spiritual Directors Association. This meant meeting with him once a month for an hour or so to talk over aspects of my life, especially of my prayer life.

“My times with Terry were really conversations from which we both mutually benefitted. But always, somewhere in the conversation, came the inevitable challenge: ‘How's your prayer life David? How's your meditation going?’ Sometimes I fronted up with apprehension, especially when my meditations didn't seem to be going all that well.  But, even so, Terry was encouraging, offering helpful hints, highlighting the positives already there. And I would go away more confident and eager to try again. Those two questions of his still haunt me. ‘How's your prayer life and how's your meditation going?’”

Care for fellow priests

In January 1985 Fr Terry was appointed a member of the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee. Four years later at beginning of 1985 he was appointed full-time Director of the Pastoral Care of Priests, living at Parkside. Terry was greatly loved and respected by fellow priests and continued in this role until his death.

Terry was a very priestly person. His commitment to his priesthood, to the Eucharist, and to his priestly ministry are well known. As a Spiritual Director he was a gentle but wise guide. He had a deep loyalty to his brother priests.  He valued this role and even during his final illness, he wouldn't resign because he couldn't let them down.

Terry died in St Andrews Hospital on 7th July 2000. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on12th July and he was buried in the Centennial Park Cemetery.

Communing with nature and aboriginal history

Fr Terry had a great love for the outback and developed a love of nature and respect for aboriginal history. 

David Shinnick recalls: “In November 1997 we went to Broken Hill for a few days. We explored the heritage town centre, visited some of the tourist spots, went for a day trip to White Cliffs, enjoying all the while the balmy clear clean air of this outback town. But the most memorable day was a trip to the Mootwingee National Park. We travelled by bus to the Aboriginal Centre, scarcely speaking a word on the way, absorbing the beauty of the rugged countryside. At journey's end, we walked the trail to the galleries of Aboriginal paintings, their rock carvings and the large water holes.   

It was a dry, warm day, the air full of silence, the smells of the bush strong. We returned to the camping area and ate our lunch in the sandy bed of a creek, under a canopy of River Red gums, talking spasmodically now of the meaning of life and the beauty of creation.   Then we walked along the track to the Old Homestead, stopping here and there to take photos of flowers and scenes that appealed to us, photography being one of Terry's main hobbies. I faltered in a creek bed but Terry pressed on to the homestead. We returned to Broken Hill in a state of contented tiredness.

It was in the comparative silence of our companionship in the bush that we experienced the presence of the God of creation, the God of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. I realised later that it was Terry's appreciation of outback Australia, his contemplative communing with nature, his prayerful recognition of God's presence in the bush, that was transmitted to me through osmosis, during the day's outing.

His power of presence to others

This was a striking example of his 'power of presence' to other people. His family talks of his great love for the Flinders Ranges where he was very much at ease; and of the Botanic Gardens. I recall our desire last year to walk parts of the Great South Walk and to visit the Gawler Ranges, both thwarted by sickness on my part.”

David’s personal memoirs

"We all will have known Terry in our own ways. Here are some which stand out for me and members of his family and friends:
Terry was a wise and holy man. He moved gradually from the corridors of power to the seat of wisdom, sharing his extraordinary wisdom with all who would listen. Terry lived in communion with nature in a contemplative manner.

His quiet shyness was not a sign of a lonely man but of a deeply contemplative person. At the same time, Terry was a very practical person, who, though a man of vision, could get things done in a methodical and effective way.

Terry had a delightful sense of humour; or, as one of his nieces put it, 'a gentle teasing humour'. On the last day of school holidays, he would tease them: "Back to school tomorrow – aren't you lucky!" Or after stirring his tea, he would dab the hot spoon on someone's wrist.  Terry was very generous with his time, with his nieces and nephews – taking them on outings, extending their interests, broadening their minds with books and concerts.

He and they had a great affection for each other. In this, Terry displayed great patience with them, especially in their younger days when outings brought on a certain boisterousness and a pestering for answers.

His generosity was coupled with thoughtfulness. He would bring home foreign stamps for one nephew, bags of 1c and 2c coins, including sometimes, a $2 coin, for another, tickets from trips and functions to share. Terry had a great interest in and concern for people.

Even in his last days, he was concerned for a niece's husband, a Trans Adelaide bus driver, who might be sacked.

When he was living at the old Goodwood Orphanage in the 1960's, he took a keen interest in the children - taking them on outings, such as the Johnnie's Pageant. He attended their reunions and married some of them. He took photos of them, individuals and groups, which they treasure greatly.

Terry displayed great fortitude and courage in his illnesses over the years. He was in touch with his own vulnerability and helped others cope with their own sufferings. Terry possessed a self-effacing humility, always conscious not to impose himself on others, but to greet them with warmth and friendship.”

May he rest in peace.