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Family, friends say goodbye to priest
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Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown, center, blesses Monsignor Thomas F. Kelly during a Mass of Christian burial Monday morning at St. Christine Church in Youngstown. Monsignor Kelly, who died Nov. 30, was pastor emeritus of the church.
Birth/death: Monsignor Thomas Kelly was born Sept. 11, 1921, in Kilkerrin-Ballinasloe County Galway, Ireland. He died at 89 years old on Nov. 30, 2010. He was a resident Assumption Village.
Family: He is survived by a brother, John Kelly of Dublin, Ireland.
Education: He attended the Franciscan Brothers’ Grade School, the Jarlath Boys Boarding High School and entered All Hallows College and Seminary in Ireland.
Ordained: He was ordained on June 22, 1947, in Dublin by Bishop John Marshall. He came to the Diocese of Youngstown through the efforts of Bishop James McFadden.
Ministry: Monsignor Kelly was pastor emeritus of St. Christine Church in Youngstown. His first assignment in the diocese was assistant pastor of St. Columba Cathedral in 1947 lasted until 1960 when he was named pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Garrettsville. In 1963 he was named pastor of Mother of Sorrows in Ashtabula and in 1971 was named pastor of St. Brendan Church in Youngstown. In 1973, he was named pastor of St. Christine, where he remained until his retirement in 1990.
Honor: Monsignor Kelly received Papal Honors with the title “monsignor” being named “Prelate of Honor” in 1997.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Monsignor Thomas F. Kelly has left this life for his eternal reward, but his legacy of love, kindness, caring and compassion continues in those he inspired. The 89-year-old priest died Nov. 30.
A Mass of Christian burial took place Monday at St. Christine Church, 3165 S. Schenley Ave., where Monsignor Kelly was pastor emeritus. Seven members of the Kelly family came from Ireland to the funeral.
Officiating was Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown. Knights of Columbus Bishop Malone Assembly 826, Fourth Degree, escorted the coffin. The large church was nearly filled with mourners.
The Rev. John E. Keehner, rector of St. Columba Cathedral, offered the homily. “I knew him as a man of wisdom,” Father Keehner said. He said Monsignor Kelly asked him to say Mass at a gathering of the Irish clans and gave him this directive, “Johnny, if you can’t say it in six minutes or less ... is it really worth saying?”
Father Keehner said Monsignor Kelly was “a legend for so many things,” but his “care and concern” for people was paramount. “He didn’t let retirement or his age define him,” he said. “He was a ‘suitcase priest’ ... ready to fill in for a sick or vacationing priest,” Father Keehner said of Monsignor Kelly when he was still able to do so.
“He was actively engaged in serving God’s people,” Father Keehner said. “He took to heart living the words of Jesus. He was blessed and a blessing to many others.”
Father Keehner said Monsignor Kelly exemplified “what we are all called to do ... share the love of God with others.”
The Rev. Timothy O’Neil, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Hubbard, who shared Irish heritage with Monsignor Kelly, said of his fellow priest, “He personified, epitomized and exemplified Christ the priest,” he said, adding that Monsignor Kelly did it with “Irish charm.”
Father O’Neil said he believed Monsignor Kelly was the “most loved priest in the Youngstown diocese.”
Ann and Don Komara, members of St. Christine since 1958, remembered Monsignor Kelly for “his love of the church and the people." Both said the priest was always ready to help someone, and he eschewed negative comments.
The Rev. John Lyons, retired pastor of St. Joseph Church in Austintown, who also came from Ireland, said he “lost a good friend.”
Monsignor John Ashton, retired pastor of St. Lucy Church in Campbell, recalled that Monsignor Kelly had a “lilt to his speech ... and it was an endearing quality.”
Eileen Dahman, who attends St. Christine, said, “Monsignor Kelly showed people how to love and be compassionate.”
Marie DeMarinis, a 52-year member of St. Christine, said Monsignor Kelly was the one “who gave me my faith.”
Ann Czopur, a charter member of St. Christine, said when Monsignor Kelly was pastor, he “went out to meet everyone at their homes.” Her son, Dennis Czopur, added, “He had a spirit about him. ... He taught us how to work together as a parish.”
Sister Ann McManamon, who served at St. Christine for 13 years, described Monsignor Kelly as someone who had much “love and compassion for the sick. He was a very positive person,” she added.
Mass participants were Dr. John and Alberta Popovec, Jack Kinane, Deacon James Brown, Miriam Kinane, Pat Bokesch, Peg Heiden, Mairghead Kelly and Maureen Collins.