| Born at St. John's,
Newfoundland, August 22, 1861, the son of Thomas McGrath and Ellen Dwyer.
He received his primary education in St. Patrick's Parish School from
1868-1871, and his elementary education in St. Bonaventure's College,
1871-1875. From there he went to work in a commercial business
establishment on Water Street, St. John's called 'Goodfellows', where he
laboured from 1876-1882. In that year he returned to St. Bonaventure's
College for two additional years of study, 1881-1883, following which he
went to Ireland to begin a course of studies for the priesthood at Mount
Mellary, a boarding college for aspirants to the priesthood, under the
direction of the Cistercian Monks, where he did a two year course of
studies in philosophy. 1983-1985. Upon completion of his course in
philosophy he transferred to St. Patrick's College, Carlow, where he
followed a four year course study in theology and the other sacred
sciences from 1885-1889. The Reverend Mr. McGrath was ordained to the
Order of Priest in the Chapel of St. Patrick's College, Carlow, Ireland on
'Trinity Sunday', June 4, 1889. Upon his return to Newfoundland, and
following the untimely death of Father Michael Morris, Guardian of St.
Thomas' Home of Villa Nova, Manuels, an orphanage for boys, Father McGrath
was appointed Guardian of the Home, and worked there from 1889-1890. His
next appointment was as the parish priest of St. Thomas of Villa Nova
Parish, Topsail, and held that office from 1890-l896. In 1893, in addition
to his duties in the parish of St. Thomas of Villa Nova, he assumed
responsibility for the administration of St. Michael's Parish, Bell
Island, where he later served as parish priest from l896-1938. On May 10,
1930, while serving as thee parish priest of St. Michael's Parish, Bell
Island, he was honoured with the title 'Dean' of the Archdiocese of St.
John's, following the death of Dean Roger Tierney. He carried out an
extensive building program in the parish during his forty-two year tenure
of office, consisting of churches, schools, convents, a presbytery, and
other ancillary parish buildings. He oversaw the opening of the first
convent in the parish, under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy, St.
Edwards, in 1918, and the opening of a second convent, the convent of the
Immaculate Conception in 1926. Dean McGrath died at St. Clare's Mercy
Hospital, St. John's, June 28, 1938. He is buried in Belvedere Cemetery,
St. John's.
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