Rev. Msgr. James Joseph Mulligan
Deceased: 2016-02-29
Diocese: ALLENTOWN
Seminary Graduation Year: 1962
ICTE Spring: 2002
Reverend Monsignor James J. Mulligan, retired Priest of the Diocese of Allentown, died on Monday, 29 February 2016, at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem, at the age of 79.
Born in Hazleton, Monsignor Mulligan was the son of the late Edmund and Rose (Dougherty) Mulligan. He is survived by his sister, Mary Mulligan of Lehighton; Brothers, Eugene and wife, Alice, of Jim Thorpe, and Edmund and wife, Martha, of Lehighton; two nephews, five nieces including Sister Rose Mulligan, I.H.M; two grand-nieces and five grand-nephews. Monsignor Mulligan attended Beaver Meadows Public School, Beaver Meadows; Harman Junior High School, Hazleton, and Hazleton Senior High School. He began his studies for the Priesthood at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, and continued on to The Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, where he received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He was ordained to the Priesthood on 16 July 1961 at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome by The Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor, then-Rector of the Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy.
Monsignor Mulligan’s first priestly assignment was Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception Church, Jim Thorpe, followed by Parochial Vicar, Saint Bartholomew Church, Brockton; Professor, Mount Saint Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland; Diocesan Director of Programs for Priestly Life and Ministry with residence at Our Lady of Hungary Rectory, Northampton; Director, Permanent Diaconate Program; Administrator, then Pastor, Saint Joseph Church, Jim Thorpe; Director, Office of Priestly Life and Ministry. During the course of his Priestly Ministry, Monsignor Mulligan served as Diocesan Censor of Books; Director, Diocesan Health Affairs, and Member, Board of Directors, Holy Family Villa for Priests. Monsignor Mulligan had a pivotal role in the formation of the Allentown Guild of the Catholic Medical Association in 2009.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Monsignor Mulligan will be celebrated at Queenship of Mary Church, 1324 Newport Avenue, Northampton, on Friday, 4 March 2016 at 11:00 AM by His Excellency, The Most Reverend John O. Barres, D.D., Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be The Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn, Archbishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Main Concelebrants will be His Excellency, The Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Allentown; Reverend Monsignor Alfred A. Schlert, Vicar General; Monsignor Gerald E. Gobitas, Secretary for Clergy, Chancellor, and Rector, Holy Family Villa for Priests; Reverend Patrick H. Lamb, Administrator, Queenship of Mary Church, Northampton, and Archbishop Harry J. Flynn. Services: Calling hours will be held on Thursday, 3 March 2016 in Queenship of Mary Church, 1324 Newport Avenue, Northampton, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Friday, 4 March 2016 before Mass from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A Vigil Service will be held in Queenship of Mary Church on Thursday, 3 March 2016 at 7:30 PM. The Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Yenushosky, Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Whitehall, and Dean of Lehigh Deanery, will preside. The Homilist will be the Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Chaback, Retired Priest, Queenship of Mary Church, Northampton. Interment will take place in Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, Northampton.
