26 is that his future outlook is very serious, since he is liable to a further coronary thrombosis, and, possibly, sudden death, I have prescribed for him and have told him to restrict his physical activities to the minimum", He added "Unfortunately, Father Walter is unfit for anything but light duty and will need to lead the life of a semi+invalid, In my opinion he is not fit for preaching." Although Fr. Walter did not preach or conduét Church Services, he took his turn hearing confessions and said Holy Mass each day and attended regularly to the Choir Observances except those from which he was dispensed, A few days before his death he did mention that he had had some little heart spasms, but he did not seem to regard these as serious, and seemed to be in good form on the day of his death, In spite of the specialist's warning, his death came as a great shock not only to the few who were present in the Retreat, but also to those who were absent when they saw the announcement in the daily papers. Nevertheless, God was very merciful to him in allowing the collapse to occur in the corridor, and to grant him the graces of the sacraments, for if he had collapsed in his cell, he would, probably, not have been discovered until the following morning. - As there is no cemetery at St, Joseph's Retreat, the body was taken to Dublin on the day following his death, and after Solemn Requiem Mass sung by the Provincial, Very Reverend Father Fergus, his body was. laid to rest in the Religious Cemetery adjoining St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, on Wednesday, 5th March, 1958. May he rest in peace! Known in the world as Charles Ketterer, Father Walter was born in our own parish of St, Mungo, Glasgow, on 3rd June, 1902, He attended
De the Schools of the parish and was an Altar Boy in St. Mungo's. Brought up, as it were, among Passionists, it was not surprising that later on his thoughts turned to the idea of becoming a Passionist himself, Having applied for admission, he was accepted and was sent to the then Alumniate at Holy Cross Retreat, Ardoyne, Belfast. In due time he was sent to the Novitiate in St, Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen, but owing to ill health he had to leave and return home, Later on, when his health had improved, he returned to the Novitiate and was professed on 10th May, 1926, On account of the state of his health he was advised to go to the Province of the Holy Ghost, Australia, which was in great need of men at that time, and after his student course there was ordained on lst July, 1933. During his priestly life in Australia he conducted many Missions and Retreats. He was appointed Director of Students and later on was Rector of St. Paul's Retreat, Sydney, and of St. Brigid's Retreat, Adelaide, Father Walter was of a very quiet and retiring disposition, s0 much so, that apart from the common observances, one might almost forget that he was in the Retreat. Yet, in spite of this trait he had the aptitude of making many friends wherever he went, Although he had left Australia about ten years ago, many of the friends he had made there kept in touch with him by letter to the end of his life. He was considerate and charitable towards others and was very kind and patient with penitents in the confessional, Many of the priests who come to confession here asked for him personally. With all visitors to the Retreat he was affable, kind and patient. Having been in the Retreat of” St. Joseph longer than most of us, he was very well known to the people around here and in Sligo, Although a sudden death always avokes great
ke sympathy, the number of Mass Cards and letters of sympathy received here - in spite of its isolation ~ proved that he was more than usually popular among those who frequent this Church and Retreat. After about twenty-two years spent in Australia, Father Walter returned home for a long holiday. During his holiday, early in 1949, he applied to our Father Provincial, Very Rev. Fr. Cronan, to be accepted as a member of the Province of St. Patrick. His application was con- sidered in a Consulta in February, 1949 and he was accepted, He was appointed "de familia" to St. Michael's Retreat, Dankeith, Kilmarnock, where he remained till August, 1953, when he was changed to St. Joseph's Retreat, Collooney, where he remained till his death on 3rd March, 1958, Had he lived till lst July this year, Father Walter would have celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his Ordination, and, on that account, he had received special permission to visit, with some friends, the Shrine of Our Lady at Lourdes, All arrangements had been made for & Pilgrimage during Holy Week in the first week of April, and his case had been packed for the journey. However, he was not destined to visit the Shrine, We hope that he met Our Lady in heaven, before the date of his proposed Pilgrimage. May his soul rest in peace } Rector. St. Joseph's Retreat, Cloonamahon, COLLOONEY, CO. SLIGO
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.