It is with great sadness that we share with you the
news that, after much illness, Deacon Jim
Caulfield has passed away this morning 16 May 2019, at home, having been
discharged from hospital only hours earlier. He was but 69 years of age. He is
survived by his wife Gayle whom he married in 1972, his four children Joshua,
Christian, Rebecca and James-Paul, and his 15 grandchildren.
We extend to Gayle and Jim’s family our deepest sympathy at this very sad
time.
James Owen Caulfield was born in Katoomba
NSW to Richard and Joyce on 23 July 1949, the youngest of three children.
Deacon Jim and his family grew up in Katoomba and Oatley NSW, and was educated
by both the De La Salle Brothers in Lakemba and Marist Brothers in Penshurst.
After completing his secondary
education he commenced a three-year Auto Design & Report course at
St George TAFE. His career then moved to a different path. He worked from
1978 to 1980 for the Music Man Gosford, Lowrey Organ retail business.
From 1980 to 1982 he was the Assistant State Manager of Norlin Music Australia
and from 1983 to 1985 he was the National Sales & Marketing Manager for
Tokai Music Australia. In 1986 he started his own business “Pinewood
Studios Retail” which he successfully owned until 1994.
Deacon Jim has been remarkably committed to his faith and
his service to the Church. Has was instituted as an Acolyte in 1985 by Bishop
Patrick Murphy. He and Gayle have been active Catechists in a number of
parishes since 1993. He was employed as Advocate for the Regional Tribunal in
March 2001.
Between the years of 1990 and 2000 Jim completed a number
of tertiary qualifications including a Bachelor of Theology and the Diploma
from the Institute of Tribunal Practice.
Deacon Jim entered the Diaconate Program in 2001 and was
assigned to Woy Woy Parish from which he also undertook pastoral ministry at
the Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre, Kariong.
On 16 April 2004 Deacon Jim was ordained alongside Deacon
Paul Simmons and Deacon David Huntley (deceased) as the first Permanent Deacons
for the Diocese of Broken Bay. The Ordination was celebrated at Corpus
Christi Cathedral, St Ives. Deacon Jim then commenced his appointment at
Warnervale Parish.
In early 2015 whilst still at Warnervale, Deacon Jim took
on the role of Manager for the 1300 PRIEST service and in July 2017 after 13
years at Warnervale Parish, Deacon Jim was appointed as the Chaplaincy Support
Officer for the Central Coast Hospitals. He held this position until his
retirement on 1 March 2018 due to his declining health.
I ask that you join me in
keeping Deacon Jim in your prayers, along with Gayle and their family during
this sad time. We give heartfelt thanks to God for Deacon Jim’s gift of
ministry and for his gracious and generous spirit.
May eternal rest be granted him O Lord, and perpetual light shine upon him.