Date of death: 10/10/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1958
Rev. J. Joseph McNally80, died Wednesday, October 10, 2012.He was a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and was retired from full-time ministry in 2002. However, “Fr. Mac” continued to assist the people of central and southern Indiana well into his retirement. Born in 1932 in Indianapolis to the late John P. and the late Mary A. (Trouy) McNally, he spent most of his young life in southern Indiana, attending grade school at St. Mary School, New Albany, and Major and Minor Seminary at Saint Meinrad Seminary. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Paul C. Schulte on May 3, 1958, and, then, he began what would be a remarkable tenure of service to God and his people. His assignments included serving as associate pastor/assistant at Our Lady of Lourdes, Indianapolis; St. Margaret Mary, Terre Haute; and St. Paul Church, Sellersburg. He also served as an instructor at Scecina Memorial High School, Indianapolis, and at Schulte High School, Terre Haute, and as Student Director at Providence High School, Clarksville. In his service to the Church, Fr. McNally was assigned as pastor to Sacred Heart, Jeffersonville, St. Columba and St. Bartholomew, Columbus, and St. Barnabas, Indianapolis. During his active ministry, he even returned to school and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Psychology from Spaudling University in Louisville, KY. He was instrumental in the founding of the South Central Indiana Hospice Program in Columbus, and was an ardent supporter of Catholic education for all regardless of their economic means. A Sagamore of the Wabash, Fr. McNally is remembered as one who always asked the important questions and who made others feel as if the whole world waited on their answer! Generous and loving, his smile and his laugh will be remembered in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. He also loved fishing, traveling, playing golf, Notre Dame and all things Irish.He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Paul T. and Robert E. McNally. He is survived by his sisters in law, Kathleen McNally of Franklin, TN, and Mariam McNally of New Albany, IN, as well as by five nieces, four nephews, and many cousins. He is also survived by his wonderful friends and caregivers, Kathy Schubel and family of Columbus, IN. All who loved him are especially praying for him now with the words of the Irish Blessing: “Fr. Mac, may God hold you in the palm of his hand”. Fr. McNally’s body will be received at St. Barnabas Church, 8300 Rahke Road, Indianapolis, IN 46217, on Friday, October 12, 2012, at 3:00 pm with visitation to follow until 7:30 pm, when a Vigil Service will be celebrated. Visitation will resume at 9:00 am at St. Barnabas on Saturday, October 13, 2012, with the Funeral Mass celebrated at 10:00 am by Bishop Christopher Coyne, SLD, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The Rite of Committal will be celebrated immediately following the funeral in the Priests’ Circle at Calvary Cemetery in Indianapolis. A funeral meal will be provided in the gymnasium at St. Barnabas immediately following the Rite of Committal. Online condolences may be shared with the family at orileyfuneralhome.com.From www.indystar.com.