Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. |
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It is with great sorrow that St. John Chrysostom Parish
announces the death of Rev. Donald Paul McNamara,
our beloved priest in residence.
Fr. McNamara went home to the Lord on October 5, 2023.
May he rest in eternal peace.
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Fr. McNamara, who spent months each year as a missionary in Venezuela from 1970 to 2020, had served at St. John's in recent years whenever he returned to the United States.
He had been in full-time residence at the parish since 2020, presiding at Masses and funerals, visiting parishioners in hospitals and homes, and celebrating baptisms and weddings for friends and extended family.
Known as "Fr. Mac" to his American parish family, "Padre Don" to his Venezuelan parish family, and "Jet" to his brother priests for his energy and world travels, Fr. McNamara was ordained in 1961 and celebrated 60 years of priesthood in 2021.
He was known for his unfailing humbleness, kindness, enthusiasm for life, spirit of gratitude, and lived faith.
Fr. McNamara brought a smile and welcoming spirit to everyone he met -- and he met everyone. Before any baptism, funeral, wedding or Mass, he would typically go into the church and personally greet every person there. By the time Mass began, he knew everyone and their story, and they loved him for it.
He was a genuine and total "people person," popping in on colleagues and friends daily, driving miles to visit less-robust peers, chatting frequently with loved ones in Venezuela, hosting lunches, and meeting priest friends for weekly dinners. He never declined a request to anoint or visit anyone, even days before he died.
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A Philly boy to his bones, Fr. McNamara rejoiced in all of his hometown teams, win or lose. Their setbacks never shook his hardwired optimism.
He was very proud of his alma mater, the former Most Blessed Sacrament in Southwest Philadelphia, and remained close to his MBS friends throughout his life.
In addition to his many years of service in Venezuela, he served at nearly a dozen parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, including St. Anastasia in Delaware County; St. Martin de Tours and SS. Simon and Jude in Chester County; and St. John the Evangelist, St. Bonaventure, St. Rose of Lima, St. Raymond of Penafort and St. Veronica, all in Philadelphia.
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Fr. McNamara, 92, remained active and healthy until his final hours. He was stricken shortly after his last Mass on Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, just before he was to celebrate a private Mass for friends visiting from Venezuela.
In his final homily, available here, Fr. McNamara speaks with great compassion for his Venezuelan friends and for other refugees and immigrants like them.
"While we mourn his loss today, we are grateful to God for the incomparable gift of Fr. McNamara -- for his life and his spirit, his friendship and his tireless ministry," said Fr. Edward J. Hallinan, Pastor of St. John Chrysostom Parish.
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Fr. McNamara is survived by his brother, Peter (Carole) McNamara, of Coatesville; many nieces and nephews; and several generations of devoted parishioners, family members and friends on two continents.
Visitation for Fr. McNamara will be at 9 am Wednesday, Oct. 11, at:
St. John Chrysostom Church
607 S. Providence Rd.
Wallingford, PA 19086
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am Oct. 11, with Archbishop Nelson Pérez as Principal Celebrant. Interment will be in SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Please keep Fr. McNamara and his loved ones in your prayers.
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