Rev. Msgr. Kelly

AUSTINTOWN - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Christine Church for Rev. Monsignor Thomas F. Kelly, 89, Pastor Emeritus of St. Christine Parish in Youngstown, who entered into eternal life on Tuesday morning at the Assumption Village.

Msgr. Kelly was born Sept. 11, 1921, in Kelkerrin-Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland, the son of Patrick and Mary Conneely Kelly.

He attended the Franciscan Brothers? Grade School, and graduated from the Jarlath Boys Boarding High School and College and entered All Hallows College and Seminary, all in Ireland.

He was ordained on June 22, 1947, in Dublin, Ireland, by Bishop John Marshall. He came to the Diocese of Youngstown through the efforts of Bishop James McFadden.

His first assignment in the diocese as assistant pastor of St. Columba Cathedral in 1947 lasted until 1960 when he was named pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Garrettsville. In 1963, he was named pastor of Mother of Sorrows, Ashtabula, followed in 1971 as pastor of St. Brendan, Youngstown, a post he held until he was named pastor of St. Christine, Youngstown in 1973, where he remained until his retirement in 1990.

Following retirement, Msgr. Kelly served as pro-tem administrator at St. Aloysius, East Liverpool, St. Lucy, Campbell and St. Rose of Lima Youngstown, Campbell.

Msgr. Kelly received Papal Honors with the title ?Monsignor? being named ?Prelate of Honor? in 1997.

Additionally, Msgr. Kelly served on the Diocesan Liturgy Commission and the Pastoral Council. He was dean of Ashtabula County and director of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Nurses. He was a Diocesan Consultor and a member of the Council of Conciliation. He served as a member of the Diocesan Senate of Priests and as a member of the Catholic Service League Board. He also served on the Diocesan Board of Education as a Synod '76 Consultor, and as a member of the Priests Council.

Monsignor Kelly was also a member of the Bishop James Malone 4th Degree Assembly No. 274 of the Knights of Columbus.

Always proud of his Irish heritage Monsignor Kelly remained active in local Irish clubs and events. He was a member and former chaplain of the Mahoning Valley Gaelic Society, and for many years was the principal celebrant of the St. Patrick?s Day Mass at St. Columba Cathedral. In 1988, Monsignor Kelly and Father John F. Lyons were honored as the Marshals of the Mahoning Valley?s Annual St. Patrick?s Day Parade.

Monsignor was also a member and chaplain of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, where he had twice been named the AOH?s Man of the Year. In addition, Monsignor Kelly was instrumental in working with members of the AOH in the construction and dedication of Celtic Cross memorials at Calvary and Resurrection cemeteries, in memory of those lost during the Irish Famine.

Monsignor Kelly will always be remembered for his love of God and country and his great Irish wit.

He is survived by a brother, John and his wife, Nora Kelly of Ireland; numerous nieces and nephews; and his lifelong friend since high school and fellow priest, Fr. John F. Lyons, with whom he came to this country and shared a home in Austintown.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sister Kieran Kelly; and two brothers, Joseph and James Kelly.

Calling hours are Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Christine Church, 3165 S. Schenley Ave., Youngstown. A prayer service will follow as 8 p.m.

Friends may also call Monday from 9:15 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church.

Professional arrangements are being handled by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel.