My grandfather was a keen amateur actor and performed in many of the operettas created by Father Charles Cullen. He was in Ballina with the railways as a Train Guard. He was also an accomplished amateur cricketer along with at least two of his brothers.
(Not all of the plays/operettas mentioned below were from the pen of Father Cullen.)
ONE of the best-known priests in the northern districts of New South Wales, the Very Rev. Father Charles Joseph Cullen, P.P.,. B.A., of Ballina, died in St. Vincent's Hospital, Lismore, on Friday, April 13, at the age of 55 years.
A man of extraordinarily wide interests, Father Cullen was not only devoted to his parochial duties; he was a musician and playwright of exceptional merit, and also found time to foster and encourage numerous works of civic importance.
Father Cullen was born at Dunboyne, County Meath, Eire, in October, 1889. After a brilliant course of studies at St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, and St. Patricks, Maynooth, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1914. Soon after his ordination he accepted an invitation from the Bishop of Lismore, and volunteered for duty in the diocese of Lismore.
Until 1916 he was assistant priest on the Cathedral staff of Lismore. For a year he was assistant priest to the Very Rev. P. M. Ryan, of Ballina. In 1917 he was appointed priest in charge at Ballina, and remained in that parish, with only one short break, until his death. Father Cullen was an outstanding priest, and held many important positions in the diocese: Synod Examiner, Diocesan Assessor and Diocesan Consultor.
He was in great demand as a speaker on important public occasions, and his public utterances were gems of literature and oratory.
Throughout tho diocese and beyond Father Cullen's name will always be inseparably linked, with the long series of operettas coming year by year from his pen. Written chiefly for performance by the children of the schools, they were awaited each year by children and adults alike.
In the parish of Ballina Father Cullen, in addition to his priestly duties, managed to perform many civic duties. Representative citizens of Ballina in voicing their sorrow at his death, spoke with appreciation of the work he had done for the Ballina Memorial Hospital, the East-West Railway, the War Memorial Hall and the Deep Sea Port project.
Father Cullen, whoso health had been indifferent for the past three years, entered St. Vincent's Hospital on March 21. During his illness, borne with cheerfulness and resignation characteristic of him, he was visited by the Bishop of Lismore daily.
His Lordship was with Father Cullen at the time of death. He received frequent visits from the Coadjutor-Bishop of Lismore, the priests of the diocese and the nuns from neighboring convents.
The funeral took place on Monday, April 16, at Ballina. The Office of the Dead was recited by the 34 priests present, his Lordship the Coadjutor-Bishop presiding, and the Rev. Father D. McGrath and the Rev. Father W. Murphy acting as chanters.
Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by tho Right Rev. Monsignor C. Maguire, D.D., V.G., with the Very Re. Dean Hennessy, P.P., V.F., and the Rev. Father Bede Parker as deacon and sub-deacon, respectively.
The Ballina Church was far too small to contain the great crowd that came to assist at the Mass and funeral. With people standing in every available space inside, many had to be content to remain outside under the trees. The funeral procession was very long, some 90 motor vehicles following the coffin to the cemetery on the hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
In the course of an eloquent panegyric, Bishop Farrelly said Father Cullen brought to his work exceptional gifts, gifts of nature and of grace, and gifts of such rare quality and of such variety that it was difficult to appraise them, or to say that one was characteristic of him more than another.
He 'did all things well,' but the reason for it was that his faith was the foundation of them all. 'In the domain of literature and music,' said his Lordship, 'Father Cullen wrought with delicacy and skill, producing work of high merit and bequeathing to us a rich store of poesy and song.
The delightful operettas which he wrote year by year for the children have given happiness to many thousands of people and have carried his name and his message far beyond tho borders of the diocese of Lismore. I believe that they are worthy to take their place amongst the masterpieces of their kind, and I hope that they will be preserved.
"In his parish he was the true Australian version of the Soggarth Aroon, and, like his original in the homeland, ho was universally loved and revered. His every wish was a command and every work prospered under his hand.
"Whilst we grieve at his death it is not for us to complain but rather to thank God for having given him so long, and to promise that, as far as in us lies, we will endeavor to profit by his work, and to reduce to daily practice the lessons that he taught.
"Let us ask our Divine Lord not to delay his homecoming for long, and with our Holy Mother the Church let us pray: "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest, in peace. Amen."
Catholic Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1942 - 1954) - Thu 26 Apr 1945
BALLINA Tuesday.
"The Lady of Lucerne," which is the 16th of the operettas composed and written by Father C. J. Cullen, will be produced at the Plaza Theatre, Ballina, for the first time on December 13. The cast includes over 100 players.
The story is evenly balanced and the interest is maintained by the romance and rich humour of the script and songs. The Swiss Alps have been chosen for the location of the play, and attractive scenery and stage effects have been designed by Mr. J. McSweeney.
The musical score of the operetta includes 20 new numbers for solo artists and ballets. The name role will be played by Miss Molly Dougherty (Lismore), while other popular players in principal roles are Miss Norah MacNamara (Sydney), Miss Mary Tighe (Ballina), Mr. Arthur Garrett (Ballina) and Mr. J. Ratcliffe (Ballina).
Over 100 pupils of the St. Francis Xavier Convent have been specially trained in the ballet numbers, which will be strikingly executed against a colourful background. The orchestration has been arranged by Mr. E. A. Ormerod.
The play will be the first to be staged in the new theatre.
Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954) - Wed 22 Nov 1939
Under the direction of Rev. Father McGrath, a three-act comedy of a very bright nature was presented in the South Lismore School to an appreciative audience. The comedy had the title of 'Slippery Jim,' and the enterprising character of that name was well portrayed well by Mr. Joe Ratcliffe. Mr. L. Bruning, Misses B. and M. Bruning, R. Coe and M. O'Keefe, and Messrs. T.Jackson, H. Habib and L. Dirou were the other members of the cast. The comedy was staged on two successive nights in South Lismore, and Father McGrath announced that it would also be shown in Lismore for the Red Cross.
The Catholic Press - 10/4/1941 - P 28
On Monday and Tuesday nights, an Irish comedy, 'Paid in his own Coin,' was produced by Rev. D. F. McGrath and presented in the South Lismore Convent School. Miss Bernice Bruning, Mr. Jack Fletcher and Mr. Joe Ratcliffe played the leading parts. The latter was outstanding in his performance. Other players: Mr. Len Bruning, Mrs. J. Mclntyre, Miss Doreen Kuhn, .Messrs. J. McHugh, T. Halliburton, H. P. Habib, A. Scantlebury A. McMahon, D. Grant, and N. Steenson.
Catholic Freeman's Journal
11/4/1940 - P 31.
