CHILDS, Maryland — Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father John J. (Jack) Kelly died Dec. 3, 2024, aged 80. He was professed with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for 61 years and a priest for 53 years. A former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point, parishioners remember him as having an exuberant personality who challenged people to embrace Salesian spirituality and “Live Jesus!” in their everyday lives.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 10, 2024, in the Our Lady of Light Chapel of Annecy Hall in Elkton, Maryland. Interment was at the Oblate Cemetery in Elkton.
A memorial Mass will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
Born Jan. 5, 1944, in Philadelphia, he was the son of John Kelly and Catherine (Bratina) Kelly. He grew up in Steelton, Pennsylvania, and attended Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg. In high school, he met the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, who were his teachers and coaches, and joined the Oblates after graduation in 1961. He made his first profession of vows in 1963 and did student teaching at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia in the mid-1960s. He made his perpetual profession as an Oblate in 1966.
In 1968, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Niagara University in Niagara, New York. While in college, he fell in love with the theatre and started to perform in plays at Niagara. After graduating from college, he continued his love of the theatre and received special permission from his superiors to study drama at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. The Oblate provincial at the time, the late Father Dan Gambet, told him that “God had gifted you with much talent” and encouraged him to pursue his passion.
He went on to earn a Master of Arts at CUA while simultaneously completing his studies for the priesthood at De Sales School of Theology in D.C. He was ordained a priest in 1971 and then was assigned to teach English at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware.
As a young teacher at Salesianum, Father Kelly impacted the entire school community. He taught English but became involved in both the theater and the athletics departments. He directed most of the school plays, starred in some of the Salesianum alumni shows, established and coached the ice hockey club, and frequently announced the football games at Baynard Stadium (now Abessinio Stadium). Though his interests and talents were diverse, theater consumed most of his time. Father Kelly eventually became the head of the school’s Fine Arts Department.
One Salesianum alumnus observed that Father Kelly was a “skilled director with an excellent feeling for the stage” and a worthy successor to Father John Spragg, OSFS – considered a legend of Salesianum theatre. During summer break, Father Kelly broadened his scope and starred as George M. Cohan in a production of “George M.” at the famous Three Little Bakers Dinner Theater in Delaware.
In the early 1980s, Father Kelly sought treatment for an alcohol addiction. He entered a rehabilitation program and was eventually certified as a counselor. He left high school ministry and joined Oblate Brother Dick Gannon in founding the Center for Pastoral Counseling for Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Wilmington. Working with Catholic Social Services for the Diocese of Wilmington, these two Oblates offered programs and support for individuals, families and groups affected by alcohol abuse.
In 1991, Father Kelly left Wilmington and returned to the education field as Catholic campus minister at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. At the university level, he drew on his many talents, interests and experiences as he connected with college students, faculty and staff. He continued his counseling work and found time to step on the stage and skate on the ice when he could.
In 1999, Father Kelly began his long association with the Catholic community in North Carolina when he moved to the Tar Heel State to continue college ministry at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. After a year at UNCG, Father Kelly moved to parish ministry, serving first as parochial vicar (three and a half years) and later as pastor (eight years) at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in High Point, where he served until 2010. In 2010, he was transferred to Fayetteville and served as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. For 12 years, Father Kelly led the parish family in Fayetteville, helping the close-knit community settle into a new church building. He led the parish through a period of continued growth and encouraged parishioners to stay strong and keep connected during the COVID-19 crisis.
Health issues forced Father Kelly to leave St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, yet not wanting to retire completely, he moved to Holy Infant Parish in Durham to live with Father Robert Rutledge, the Oblate pastor. While semi-retired, Father Kelly continued to serve the community by celebrating Mass regularly and supporting Father Rutledge in the sacramental life of the parish.
Even as he slowed down, Father Kelly continued to attend hockey games and theater productions. He was faithful to his annual vacation to London’s West End theatre district and was able to make one final trip last September. When he returned to the U.S, Father Kelly realized he needed more assistance in navigating his health care and medical needs. He came to the Oblate assisted care center (Annecy Hall) in Childs, Maryland, in November, and when his health began to decline quickly, he entered hospice care at Annecy Hall a few days before he died.
Father Kelly was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his sisters Beth Barclay and Kathy Kelly; his brother Bob Kelly; nieces and nephews; and his brother Oblates.
In his final weeks, Father Kelly embodied a quote from Shakespeare’s “Measure by Measure”: “I’ve hope to live but I am prepared to die.” In his vocation as an Oblate and a priest, in the struggles and blessings of daily life, Father Kelly practiced the Salesian virtue of embracing the present moment and lived each day striving to “Live Jesus.”
Condolences may be sent to Jack's sister Beth Barclay at 200 Cyril Lane, Richmond, VA 23229.
Hicks Home for Funerals, P.A., of Elkton was in charge of arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald