Monsignor John J. Flanagan
05/16/1940 – 07/09/2013
On July 9, 2013, our beloved son, brother, friend and priest, Reverend Msgr. John Flanagan was called home by God after a short illness with liver cancer. He died peacefully at the home of dear parishioners of St Jerome’s Catholic Church in Martinez, TX. He was the eldest of eight children born to Annie Mary and Michael Flanagan on May 16, 1940, in County Leitrim, Ireland. He is preceded in death by his father and survived by his 101 year old mother in Ireland and all of his siblings: Joseph in Wheeling, Illinois; Michael (Pauline) in London, England; May (Hughie) Feehily, Thomas, Anthony, Patrick (Anne) and Helen (David) Manly all residing in Ireland. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews residing in Ireland, England, France, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. In 1961 Msgr. John immigrated to the United States and became a citizen. He lived in the Chicago area. After working in various jobs, his strong Catholic faith led him to enter the seminary. He received a BA in theology, humanities and English from Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corner, Wisconsin. Msgr. John was ordained a Roman Catholic priest with the Missionaries of the Holy Family on May 25, 1974, at All Souls Catholic Church in Overland, Missouri. His priestly career spanned 39 years. He began at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Donna, TX. He then went to Los Angeles where he was Chaplain Vicar at Los Angeles County General Hospital from 1975 to 1977. His order then sent him to perform missionary work in Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico for over 10 years. Arriving there knowing no Spanish he quickly learned the language. He loved the culture and the people. In 1987 he was sent to New Braunfels, TX to be Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where he oversaw the construction of a rectory. In 1990 he was sent to Our Lady of Victory in Beeville, TX as Pastor. There he was responsible for oversight of a parochial school. In 1994 Msgr. John was a Chaplain at Alexian Brothers Hospital in the St Louis, Missouri area. He then was sent to Costa Rica where he was a Professor of English at a Professional Business School. In 1997 he returned to Texas and was accepted as a diocesan priest under the leadership of Archbishop Patrick Flores. Msgr. John then became Pastor of St Anthony Catholic Church in Runge, TX. In 1999 while in Runge, his parishioners celebrated his 25th Silver Jubilee as a priest. His brother Patrick and wife Anne secretly flew to the United States to surprise him and celebrate that great occasion. In the fall of that year Msgr. John returned to Ireland to be with his immediate family and to further commemorate that great accomplishment. In 2001 he began his final assignment as Pastor of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Martinez, TX. During his time there, he directed the construction of a new church for his parishioners. The family of Msgr. John wishes to thank Terry and Jerry Lichtenberger for their commitment to making Msgr. John’s final days peaceful, comfortable and filled with love; all of the parishioners who have loved and supported him; and, the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Many people sought Msgr. John’s counsel. He was intelligent, honest, warm, fun and caring. He valued everyone and happily brought varied groups together. He was so devout and spiritual. He genuinely enjoyed being a priest and helping others. All of us who were blessed to know and love him will sorely miss his dedication, big heart, great sense of humor and his unforgettable laugh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jerome Catholic Church Building Fund, 7955 Real Road, San Antonio, Texas 78263. Funeral arrangements are being handled by The Finch Funeral Chapel in La Vernia, TX. Visitation will begin at St Jerome’s Catholic Church in Martinez, TX on Friday, July 12, 2013, at 3 pm with a Rosary to be recited at 7 pm at the church. A second visitation will begin at 8 am and a Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at the church by The Most Reverend Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller at 11 am Saturday, July 13, 2013. Msgr. John’s body will be returned to Ireland. A Mass will be celebrated at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, Killargue, Dromahair, County Leitrim, Ireland. This is the same church where he celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1999 with family and friends. His body will be buried in the family plot in Killargue which is close to his childhood home.

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