Obituaries

Bishop McFadden to be Laid to Rest Wednesday

The funeral for Bishop Joseph P. McFadden will be held in Harrisburg, but you can watch it online.

Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, known to much of the Cardinal O’Hara family as ‘The Mons,’ will be laid to rest Wednesday in Harrisburg.

McFadden died unexpectedly Thursday while attending a meeting of the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania being held in Philadelphia. He was serving as tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, a position Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to in 2010.

McFadden, 65, grew up in Philadelphia and attended St. Joseph’s University and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood.

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In 1993, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua named McFadden the first President of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield.

Funeral Details

The funeral will be Wednesday morning at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Harrisburg. Public viewing will begin at 9 a.m. The closing of the coffin will happen at 10 a.m. and then the funeral mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. The funeral will be followed by the burial at Holy Cross cemetery in Harrisburg.

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If you want to watch the funeral coverage, Harrisburg media is providing you with numerous options:

Memories of “The Mons”

The Cardinal O’Hara Facebook page posted that “Bishop McFadden always said 'O'Hara is much more than a place. It is about the people~the O'Hara Family.' Family Christmas, Masses, Homilies and so much more.”

Here are some of the memories from the “O’Hara Family:”

He was a good friend and one of the priests who inspired my priestly vocation at O'Hara. … I will never forget his enthusiasm for us as students and his love for O'Hara and his brother Philadelphia priests of which I am honored to be numbered among! Father Steve Paolino posted to the Cardinal O’Hara Facebook page.

 

My favorite memory was when he helped pay one of my childrens tuition when we were broke. He allowed them to continue in Catholic School and always worked with me. He was a true example of Jesus in action. Well done my friend! Jeanmarie Lorello posted to the Cardinal O’Hara Facebook page.

 

I will never forget his smile, the way he just liked to talk to everyone n of course he loved to play basketball. May Bishop McFadden rest in peace Patty Dougherty Johnson posted to the Cardinal O’Hara Facebook page.


One of the most genuine, nicest people I have ever met. He will be greatly missed. Leisa Updyke Gardner posted to the Cardinal O’Hara Facebook page.

The Harrisburg Diocese has posted on its website that letters of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Ellen McConney, 458 Gateswood Drive, West Chester, PA 19380.

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