Deceased: 2005-07-27
Diocese: SPOKANE
ICTE Fall: 1996
Monsignor John Patrick Donnelly, 72, passed in grace Wednesday, July 27, 2005.
A Spokane native, born Nov. 14, 1932, he and his brother, Roy, were raised in Wallace, Idaho, and attended Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. They also lived in Spokane and attended St. Augustine School. Monsignor went on to St. Edward Seminary in Kenmore, Wash., and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Spokane, May 24, 1958.
He assisted at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral from 1958 to 1959. He then attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism, receiving a bachelor of journalism in 1959. He was appointed editor of the Inland Catholic Register in the fall of 1959. From November 1962 until 1967, he served as director of the Bureau of Information of the Conference of Bishops, and then as correspondent for the National Catholic News Service, Rome Bureau, during the Second Vatican Council. From this experience he co-authored Council Day Book, a day-by-day account of the proceedings of the Second Vatican Council.
In 1967 the Holy Father conferred upon him the honor of Papal Chamberlain. Upon his return to the Diocese of Spokane, he was reappointed the editor of the Inland Register, a post he served until 1980. During this time he was the pastor of St. Mary of the Presentation in Deer Park (1968-1969), rector of Bishop White Seminary (1969-1975), pastor of Immaculate Conception in Colville (1975-1976), and pastor of Assumption Parish in Spokane (1976-1987). In 1987, he moved to Clarkston where he served as pastor at Holy Family Parish until 1990. He returned to Spokane, ministering to St. Anthony’s Parish until his retirement in June 2001. He resided at Rockwood Lane Retirement Community.
He is survived by nephew John E. Donnelly; cousins William Henry Jr., Mary and husband Robert Cameron, Thomas and wife Mimi Henry, Patricia and husband Larson Romine, Peggy Henry, Robert and wife Leslie Henry, Richard and wife Diane Henry, Mark and wife Anna Henry, Kathleen and husband Lowell Ruen, James and wife Molly Butler, Christine and husband Steve Barge, Barbara and husband Rick Richard, Kevin and wife Margaret Butler, and Nancy and husband Scott Stratton; and numerous dear friends.
Visitation will be held from noon to 4 p.m. today at Hennessey Funeral Home in Spokane. The vigil is at 4 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Spokane. Celebration of the funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the cathedral followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be directed to the Catholic Foundation, Priests’ Retirement Fund at PO Box 1453, Spokane, WA 99210.
