Rev. Msgr. Lawrence E. Donnelly
Deceased: 2020-09-23
Diocese: LOS ANGELES
CSM Graduation Year: 1956
Lawrence Edward Donnelly was born in Lake Linden, Michigan on October 21, 1923. His parents were Lawrence James Donnelly (1899), and Bernice Quirk (1901).
His family, including older brother John and younger brother Terrence, moved to California during the great depression in hopes of a better life. They bought a house on Newtonia Drive in what is now El Sereno. Another brother, Michael, died very early childhood in MI. Sisters Nora and Joan followed quickly, then little brother James.
Larry knew from a young age he wanted to be a priest. He entered junior seminary in Los Angeles immediately after 8th grade. (His brother Terry followed him to the seminary years later, but developed polio and was forced to leave in his first year.) Larry would hitchhike everyday to get to junior seminary and never missed a day.
Larry graduated from St. John’s seminary and was ordained a priest on May 7th, 1949. His first baptism was that of his own niece. He had various assignments in the Archdiocese as a young priest including being a coach and teacher and putting the athletic department on the map for St. Agnes. He spent time at many different parishes including St. Jerome’s, Good Shepherd, Precious Blood and Holy Spirit. He was also sent to Rome to study at the Vatican and returned to Los Angeles as secretary to Cardinal McIntyre circa 1955. Shortly there after Fr. Donnelly became secretary to Bishop Manning (later Cardinal) for over ten years. They were very close friends.
Father Donnelly was chaplain at USC for four years which he very much enjoyed even though he’s been a lifelong Notre Dame fan and had to down play this especially on those rival game days. In 1967, he became pastor of St. Michael’s on Manchester in Los Angeles where he remained for over 25 years. These were turbulent years, with the refurbished church and school often robbed and attacked during many riots in the neighborhood. Father Donnelly kept the site safe, even suffering many physical attacks. It was at this time he also was named Monsignor.
In the 1990s, Msgr. Donnelly retired to a home in Torrance left to him by two of St. Michael’s parishioners. He continued to serve as a retired priest for almost 20 years at St. Timothy ‘s Parish in West Los Angeles. Many parishioners followed him from St Michael’s to St. Timothy’s, and continued their friendships throughout the years.
Msgr. Lawrence Donnelly was a very humble, loving, positive person. He treasured his family, especially his mother and the little children of the family. He was funny and had wisdom that was unmatched. He loved to tell stories and you were never bored of listening to him. He was very well travelled and was an avid sports fan always hoping the Dodgers would come through. He loved watching college football especially Notre Dame. Msgr. loved our Blessed Mother, the saints, and the Church which whom he devoted his whole life to. Msgr. was rarely seen without a rosary in hand or in his later years a rosary ring around his finger, praying it multiple times of the day. He was a living saint and will be missed by all those who knew him. He had the ability to make every person feel special, thanking them for every little thing that was done for him. He wanted to know your name and make sure that you felt you were seen and heard. He truly cared about you and never put himself before others. One of his personal motto’s was Sicut Parvuli which in latin means “as little children”. Believing we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Msgr. Donnelly will be remembered by his loving sister-n-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who were like family to him.
Msgr. Donnelly went to eternal rest on Sept. 23rd, 2020.The funeral mass will be celebrated Tues. Oct. 13th, 2020 at 11am at St. Michael’s Parish at 1016 West Manchester Ave. LA, CA 90044. With burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 4201 Whittier Ave. LA, CA 90023
