Gulf Pine Catholic

26 Gulf Pine Catholic • January 24, 2025 C o l l e c t i o n Jan. 25 & 26 A small portion of collection pays for this advertisement. His assignments as pastor included Immaculate Conception Parish, Indianola; St. Joseph Parish, Gulfport; St. Ann Parish, Clermont Harbor and its mission, St. John in Lakeshore and St. Michael Parish, Biloxi, where he served until his retirement in 2006 to the retired priests’ homes at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Biloxi. He was a resident of Bay Cove in Biloxi at the time of his death. Father Enda McKenna’s friendship with Father Kelly dates back to their time at St. Patrick College in Carlow, where they were roommates. “We were ordained on the same day. There were 26 of us,” recounted Father McKenna, who is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. “St. Patrick’s was a missionary seminary. In that sense, most of the folks in our class would go to other assignments outside of Ireland. Out of our class of 26, about four stayed in Ireland. John Kelly and I came out in 1964 because there were an abundance of vocations to the priesthood in Ireland, so they didn’t really need us. We were basically their overflow. “Now, we are no longer receiving any recruits from Ireland in the United States. Ireland can’t even provide enough priests for themselves.” Father McKenna is grateful for Father Kelly’s friendship and added that his classmate’s impact will be long-lasting. “He was very committed to the priesthood and his ministry,” he further noted. Father Paddy Mockler, who also attended St. Patrick College, albeit much later, agreed with Father McKenna. “Father Kelly was very much a priest for the people,” said Father Mockler. “He tried to get as many laypeople involved as he could. It was all about implementing Vatican II and the role of the laity. His warmth, charm and outgoing personality were very endearing, and people wanted to do things because of his loving approach. He was a great moti- vator to get people involved. “The Cursillo motto ‘Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ’ could sum up John Kelly’s ministry.” Father Mockler said he first met Father Kelly during his time as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Gulfport. “He had these famous dances once a month and the place was packed,” said Father Mockler. “John was working the room better than any politician. He was hugging, kissing, welcoming and inviting. There are many who joined the Church because of the warmth and friendliness of Father Kelly.” Biloxi native Father Tony Arguelles was Father Kelly’s associate pastor from 1979 to 1983 and has fond memories of his former boss. “I remember his hearty laugh and outgoing per- sonality. He was a hugger,” said Father Arguelles. Father Kelly From page 1 Father Kelly and his aunt, Eleanor Jane Meehan, “Auntie”, who raised Father Kelly and his six siblings. Photo/Family of Father Kelly “He enjoyed Rhodes Fitness Center and kind of introduced me to the gym. To this day, I still go because of him. “When I was with him at St. Joseph, John had a fireplace installed in the rectory living room. John so loved that fireplace that he would have it going even during the summertime. He would turn on the air conditioner so he could light the fireplace.” During their time together at St. Joseph, the church underwent renovations. “I don’t know if it was Father Kelly’s idea but, during the renova- tion process, all the men of the parish were invit- ed to grow a beard until the end of construc- tion,” said Father Arguelles. “So, John and I both grew a beard. That was the only time I ever grew a beard.” Father Tommy Con- way, another St. Patrick alumnus, said Father Kelly had his own dis- tinct way of getting things done. “He had great ideas but found other people that would make them work while he sat back and enjoyed it all,” Father Conway recalled. “In the Martha and Mary story in the Bible, Martha was always working and worrying while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened -- Father Kelly was a Mary. “He had a wonderful life in Mississippi but never forgot his roots in Ireland. He made many friends here but kept up the friendship with friends and family at home. He was faithful in his ministry but also enjoyed a wonderful social life that very often included red wine and a casino.” Phyllis McGrory said she is most grateful to the people of Mississippi for taking care of her brother for almost 60 years. “He loved the people of Mississippi and the people of Mississippi loved him,” she said. “He got to know them as wonderful people.” Father Kelly is survived by his sis- ters, Tilda Mahon (UK), Phyllis McGrory (USA), and Doreen Murray (UK) and his numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Father Kelly are requested for Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Priest Retirement Fund, 2090 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 39531, USA, or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Sligo, Ireland.