Msgr. Joseph McLoone

THE IRISH AMERICAN DREAM......

Rev. Msgr. Joseph McLoone

......the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness......
the Apostle Paul to the Galatians

These attributes are the core components of Joseph McLoone, the Man and the Priest. He is the third child born to Patrick and Bridget and a living example of the Irish American Dream.

Patrick McLoone (now deceased), a Glenties Man, had buried his Mother and an Aunt and was left in Co. Donegal to watch over 3 maiden sisters. A fourth sister, Mary McGinley, who was living in America, urged him to come to Philadelphia….to build his life and so he did. Pat worked for the Acme Warehouse, a job held by many Irish Immigrants at that time.

Bridget, also from Donegal, specifically Ardara, was persuaded by her mother, Mary McHugh, (a woman of great vision for those times) to spread her wings, but not go far. Mary wanted to be able to see her daughter from time to time. She said, “When I am dead, you can go to America.” So off to London she went and ten years later, after burying her Mom, then went to Philadelphia, to her sister, Sally Montague. She got a job working for a Rectory.

The McLoone’s met at the Emerald Pub. With hard work, foresight, love and dedication, they raised a highly successful family.

Joe McLoone grew up in Olney, attending Incarnation School and Cardinal Dougherty. While a senior in High School, he had thoughts of seeking a vocation as a priest. At first, he sought out the advice of the parish’s newly ordained priest, Fr. Peter Welsh and then went to a retreat at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook. After this, he was sure that this was not for him.

He entered LaSalle College and during that first year wondered if he had given this calling a fair try. Well, to make a long story short, Joe McLoone, graduated from the Seminary with a BA in Philosophy (1984), a M.Div. (1987) and a M.A. in Theology (1988).
Enter….Fr. Joseph McLoone.

He would humbly tell you that he is just like any other priest, but, actually, he has made a meteoric rise in his career.

Most of his pastoral assignments have been in the City of Philadelphia; St. Anne’s (1988-91), St. Martin of Tours (1992-97), and the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul (1997-2001).On his 4th assignment, St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Mt. Airy, he became the youngest Pastor, at that time, and only 13 years ordained. Commitment, persistence, enthusiasm and of course help from the Holy Spirit was the impetus for this success. His present duty is in Chester, Saint Katharine Drexel, a church that enfolds the eclectic mixtures of race, economics and community. Chester had gone from 6 Catholic Schools to 1. In order to keep Catholic Education available and affordable, McLoone became a founding member of the recently chartered Drexel Neumann Academy. It is run on a four prong sponsorship which includes the Archdiocese, St. Katharine Drexel, Neumann University and the Sisters of St. Francis.

With all of this on his plate, Fr. Joe still finds time to live his Irish roots. He is an active part of the Philadelphia Irish Community for many years; Chaplain of the Donegal Association, Caregiver to the Irish Immigrant, Friend to all the Societies and ( drum roll) the most important, Chaplain for 10 years to the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame.

His friend and Ocean City cohort, Rev. Kevin Gallagher said many lovely things, “Joe is a hard working pastor who makes time for everyone in his parish. He has influenced many to return to the Catholic faith through his easy nature and pleasant way. He is a doer and a thinker. He has a special place in his heart for the sick and suffering, the downtrodden and neglected. He was very influential in my entering the seminary and has been extremely supportive of priesthood.” Fr. Gallagher says that Joe McLoone is a true Irish family man, devoted to his lovely Mother, Bridget, speaking of Bridget and that Irish American Dream, the McLoone’s have three other members of their family; Patrick, Jr. (Managing Editor of the Philadelphia Daily News), Mary McLoone Hofmann, M.D., F.A.C.P.( founding chief of Geriatric Medicine, Abington Hospital)and Kate McLoone Burns (School Nurse, Overbrook Public and Catholic Schools) and of course, the Rev. Msgr. Joseph C. McLoone.

Hmm, I wonder what’s next for this wonderful man?

Kathy McGee Burns
President