Reverend James J. McLaughlin, a retired Catholic Priest and resident at St. Mary Manor, Lansdale died on Thursday, June 26, 2014.
Father McLaughlin was born on September 17, 1943 in Philadelphia. He is the son of the late James and Grace Gallagher McLaughlin. Father McLaughlin attended Holy Child Parochial School in Philadelphia and Cardinal Dougherty High School also in Philadelphia before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Father McLaughlin was ordained on May 16, 1970 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia by His Eminence John Cardinal Krol. Father McLaughlin served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in Fallsington; Saint Eleanor Parish in Collegeville; Saint Barnabas Parish in Philadelphia; Saint Jerome Parish in Philadelphia; Saint Matthew Parish in Philadelphia and Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale. Father McLaughlin served on the Faculty at Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia; Lansdale Catholic High School in Lansdale and Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia. Father McLaughlin also served as Military Chaplain in the United States Navy from 1982 to 1986 during which time he served onboard the Aircraft Carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower. Father McLaughlin retired from active ministry in 2010.
Father McLaughlin is survived by his sister Eileen O’Rourke and her husband Kevin of Flourtown and by his brothers Thomas McLaughlin and his wife Patricia of Hatboro and Dennis McLaughlin of Orlando, FL and nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.
Reverend Clergy, Relatives and Friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Thursday, July 3rd at 11AM at Corpus Christi Church, 920 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA. 19446 (in Upper Gwynedd Twp.). Principal Celebrant will be the Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald. There will be a viewing at Corpus Christi Church on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 PM and also on Thursday morning prior to Mass from 9 to 10:45 AM. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
For those desiring, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Father’s memory to Lansdale Catholic High School, 700 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, PA. 19446 would be preferred.
To Fr. Jim’s Family,
What a joy your family gatherings must have been with Fr. Jim! His witty sense of humor and laughter was contagious. He quickly became a family friend from his St. Eleanor days. Fr. Jim loved his sweets! So many memories—all good! He’s definitely “one of the good ones” and will be missed. God bless you all during this time.
“Franny” (Clinton) Luthy
Dear Father Jim, You first came into our lives at St. Eleanor Parish in the seventies. Your bubbly personality quickly made you a family friend. I remember your coming to visit us for many dinners, and in later years saw you at nieces and nephews’ christenings, and finally at my dad’s funeral. You will be missed here on Earth, but I know you are brightening Heaven. Rest in Peace, Friend. With Love, Jo (Clinton) Smith