“A man with a lovely smile, a great sense of humour and a gracious manner”
Brother Stanislaus died peacefully in the loving and devoted care of the staff and colleagues of St. Joseph’s Shankill, on 24th February 2024 in his 83rd year. His funeral Mass took place in St. John of God Hospital Chapel, Stillorgan on 28th February, and he was interred in the St. John of God Cemetery, Stillorgan.
Michael Neild was born on 18th November 1940 in Warwickshire. He had two younger brothers, John and David, whom he helped his grandmother to rear after his mother died. He entered the Novitiate on 28th November 1958 in Silverdale, Lancashire and made his First Profession of Vows on 27th February 1960, taking Stanislaus Kostka as his religious name.
His scholastic formation took place at Saint John of God Community, Scorton, during which time his professional nurse training was undertaken. He then spent a year at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle -upon -Tyne, engaged in a specialised course to prepare him for work in Africa. After making Solemn Profession of Vows on 20th November 1965, he studied anthropology and language in Lilongwe, Malawi before transferring to Mua Leprosarium in the Dedza Diocese. In 1966, Brother Stanislaus began working with the Sisters of Our Lady of Africa in the Leprosarium at Mua Ntkataka in Malawi where he remained for three years. On his return to England in 1969, he was elected Provincial Councillor in 1969, he was elected Provincial Councillor and appointed Scholastic Master at St. Cuthbert’s Hospital, Hurworth Place. At the Provincial Chapter of 1974, he was elected Prior of Saint Rahpael’s Community, Potters Bar. At the Provincial Chapter of 1977, he was elected to the Provincial Council and made Prior of the Saint John of God Community, Scorton and became Manager of the Saint John of God Hospital. At the Provincial Chapter of 1980, he was appointed Novice Master, a post he held until the Provincial Chapter of 1983, at which he was elected Provincial – a post he held for nine years. In 1986, he commenced studies for the priesthood at Ampleforth Abbey and was ordained priest on 1st May 1990. In 1992, at the Provincial Chapter, he was elected Prior of Saint Raphael’s Community, Potters Bar and became Chaplain to the Centre. In 1994, he transferred to the Community at Saint Vincent’s, Potters Bar, and was assistant priest, at the same time undertaking a Masters’ Degree in Pastoral Studies and Education. Since 2000, Brother Stanislaus has spent time at Scroton, Saint Francis Nursing Nome, Little Hampton, and then moved to Scotaland in 2005. During the years 2005-2014 Brother Stanislaus was Provincial Bursar and Scholastic Master, involved in Pastoral Care and a member of the Values and Culture Team. He was also a member of the Management Board for the Catholic Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults; also being a member of the Bioethics Commission for the Irish and English Provinces and exercised his priestly ministry in the Hospitallar Community ad at Carmel Convent in Darlington.
He exericsed his Pastoral Ministry in the Services in the North East of England as was also a member of the Provincial Council and a Trustee for the Province.
For the last few years Brother Stanislaus resided happily in St. Joseph’s, Shankill, where he never lost his sense of humour nor his smile.
May he rest in the peace of Christ.