MAY 10, 2013 VOLUME 49, NUMBER 10 Bishop Jospeh P. McFadden May 22, 1947 ~ May 2, 2013 2 - THE CATHOLIC WITNESS, May 10, 2013 Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden May 22, 1947-May 2, 2013 Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, tenth Bishop of the dral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul on July 28, 2004. Diocese of Harrisburg, died unexpectedly on May On June 22, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed 2 in Philadelphia, where he was attending a meet- him the Tenth Bishop of Harrisburg. His installation ing of the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania. Bishop took place on August 18, 2010, at St. Patrick Cathe- McFadden was 65 years old, and had served as the dral, Harrisburg. Bishop of Harrisburg since August 18, 2010. Bishop McFadden was a strong advocate for Cath- He was born on May 22, 1947, to Thomas and El- olic education, and a tireless promoter of parents’ len (Griffin) McFadden in Philadelphia, was bap- tized at St. Rose of Lima Parish, and attended Our rights to choose the education best suited for their Lady of Lourdes elementary school and St. Thomas children. He also embraced the use of technology in More High School, where he was class valedictorian. evangelization, and hosted countless web and video In 1969, he graduated from St. Joseph Univer- conferences with school students whereby he en- sity with a Bachelor of Science degree in politics. gaged them through catechesis, question-and-answer As a freshman, he played on the college basketball sessions, and opportunities for prayer. team and during his remaining years in college he He served as a member of many organizations, coached boys basketball, first at St. Thomas More including as President of the Pennsylvania Catholic High School and then at West Catholic High School Conference; Chairman of the United States Bish- for Boys, where he joined the faculty after gradua- ops’ Committee on Catholic Education as well as tion. He also served as Director of Athletics for West their Task Force Committee on Faith Formation and Catholic and was a member of the Board of Directors Sacramental Preparation. He served as a member of for the Philadelphia Catholic League. the Board of Trustees at Saint Vincent Seminary in In 1976, he entered St. Charles Borromeo Semi- nary, Overbrook, and graduated summa cum laude. Latrobe, Pa., and in 2009 became the recipient of the He was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1981 first Shamrock Award presented by the Alumni of St. by Cardinal John Krol of Philadelphia in the Cathe- Thomas More and West Catholic High Schools. dral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas His first assignment as a priest began in June 1981 and Ellen (Griffin) McFadden, and is survived by as parochial vicar at St. Laurence Parish in Highland his brother, John McFadden and his wife Mary Jo, Park, Pa. The following year, he became Administra- Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Jane McFadden, tive Secretary to Cardinal Krol, a position he held and Ellen McConney and her husband Patrick, eight until 1993. On May 29, 1991, he was named as Hon- nephews and nieces, and nine great-nephews and orary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II with nieces. the title of Monsignor. Born May 22, 1947 The Solemn Funeral Mass was celebrated at Holy In 1993, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadel- Ordained to the Priesthood May 16, 1981 Name of Jesus Church, Harrisburg, on Wednesday, phia appointed him as the first President of Cardinal May 8. Burial was in the Bishops’ Circle at Holy O’Hara High School in Springfield, Pa., where he Named Honorary Prelate to Pope John Paul II May 29, 1991 Cross Cemetery, 4075 Derry Street, Harrisburg. worked to establish the school’s innovative “Laptops Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia June 8, 2004 Letters of condolences may be sent to Mrs. Ellen for Learning” program. Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia July 28, 2004 In 2001, he was assigned as pastor of St. Joseph McConney, 458 Gateswood Drive, West Chester, PA Parish in Downingtown, Pa., where he served until Appointed Tenth Bishop of Harrisburg June 22, 2010 19380. his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia Installed as Tenth Bishop of Harrisburg August 18, 2010 Contributions in the name of Bishop McFadden may in June 2004. He was ordained to the Episcopacy by Entered Into Eternal Life May 2, 2013 be made to Catholic Education, Diocese of Harrisburg, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia in the Cathe- 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. In his Final Moments, Bishop McFadden Graced by Sacrament, Recalled People of Diocese By Lou Baldwin “Great,” Msgr. Garvin told him. distance, that didn’t seem unreason- deemer with Msgr. Garvin following. Special to The Witness The visit went well until that morning able. Bishop McFadden assured Msgr. There a team of about 15 medical of May 2. It was about 6:30 a.m. when Garvin he could walk to the car, and as personnel tried to resuscitate him but it Death came swiftly and silently for Msgr. Garvin’s phone rang. soon as they got into it, Msgr. Garvin, couldn’t be done. Bishop Joseph P. McFadden on the ear- It was Bishop McFadden. “Joe,” he who knows the hospital number by “I have to say I was in the car focused ly morning of May 2, but it did not catch said, “I think I’m having a heart attack. heart, called ahead to alert the staff to be on getting him to the emergency room him spiritually unawares. I need you to take me to Holy Redeemer ready for them. and he was focused on getting ready to Two days earlier he had called Msgr. Hospital.” They had just turned on to Byberry meet the Lord,” Msgr. Garvin said. Joseph Garvin, pastor of St. Christopher Msgr. Garvin hastily dressed, and tak- Road when Bishop McFadden asked, Over the next few days many people Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, to say ing a spare key went over to the apart- “Joe, would you please give me absolu- will share wonderful memories of Bish- he would be coming down from Harris- ment. When he got there Bishop Mc- tion?” op McFadden. One of his last conver- burg to Philadelphia for a semi-annual Fadden was already dressed and sitting “He’s a Godly man and he wants sations with Msgr. Garvin should be a meeting of the Pennsylvania bishops. in a recliner. the sacraments of the Church,” Msgr. comfort to his flock in Harrisburg. The bishop said he would like to stay “What do you want me to do, call 911 Garvin thought. He said the prayer of “Joe, you’ve done such a great job in at the now-vacant apartment on the or take you to the E.R.?” he asked. absolution and made the sign of the Harrisburg, you’ve embraced the peo- cross. Bishop McFadden blessed him- grounds of St. Christopher’s, where he “I want you to take me to the E.R.,” ple, and have a great relationship with self. had lived before being named Bishop of the bishop replied. the state legislature,” Msgr. Garvin re- Harrisburg. Because the drive is a relatively short At that point Msgr. Garvin was ex- pecting they would get to the hospital marked. and treatment would start immediately Bishop McFadden replied, “I love the The Catholic Witness and the bishop would be on the road to people and the priests of Harrisburg. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG recovery. God has been very good to me. I have It wasn’t to be. Very shortly after re- accepted four students into the seminary Jennifer Reed ceiving absolution, Bishop McFadden and I have seven more to interview. God Managing Editor slumped over. is really blessing us with vocations.” Msgr. Garvin pulled off the road, One suspects God has already told Telephone Staff called 911 and tried to administer CPR. him, “Well done, my good and faithful 717-657-4804 ext. 201 Chris Heisey: Photojournalist Very quickly the fire department and servant.” FAX Emily M. Albert: Photojournalist EMTs arrived and took over. After try- (This article originally appeared on 717-657-7673 catholicphilly.com, and is reprinted Email: [email protected] Susan Huntsberger: ing to revive the bishop they placed him in the ambulance and raced to Holy Re- here with permission.) Website: www.hbgdiocese.org Circulation Coordinator and Administrative Assistant Yearly Subscriptions: $8.17 per family, derived from The Catholic Witness (ISSN 0008-8447, USPS 557 120) is published biweekly diocesan revenues from the parishes. except Christmas/New Year and July by the Harrisburg Catholic Publishing Cover Photo Other subscriptions: $24.00 Association, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111 3710. Periodicals Bishop P. McFadden elevates the Eucharist during Mass celebrated at the Moving? Send us the address label postage paid at Harrisburg, PA. from The Catholic Witness plus your Education Conference at Trinity High School last fall. NEW address including zip code +4. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: PHOTO BY CHRIS HEISEY, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS Please allow three weeks for the The Catholic Witness, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111-3710. change. May 10, 2013, THE CATHOLIC WITNESS - 3 Bishop Joseph P. McFadden ­­— May 22, 1947 ~ May 2, 2013 Mourners Receive Bishop’s Body as Funeral Rites Begin By Jen Reed The Catholic Witness As the sun set over Harrisburg May 5, mourners gathered at St. Patrick Cathedral to receive the body of Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, who had died three days earlier in Philadelphia. Inside the cathedral, clergy, religious and laity sat in prayer and reflection as they awaited the start of the Rite of Reception of the Body with Solemn Evening Prayer.