Father Jack Kelly, OSFS: A Life of Blessing
By Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
January 16, 2025
I am so grateful for the many ways friends and parishioners were so present to Father Jack Kelly over his many years at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Fr. Jack really felt part of the Fayetteville family,
Like any family, there were ups and downs, struggles and setbacks … but there were also great successes and accomplishments - in the church, the parish, and among the people here at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
At many funerals for clergy and religious, the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Saint Matthew are proclaimed as a reminder that a priest, brother, or sister has tried to live his life as a blessing to the world. A priest does his best to build up the Kingdom of God by recognizing the reality of the world – a world often filled with poverty, mourning, meekness, hunger, suffering, war, and persecution. A good part of his ministry is to help others see the blessings in the midst of the burdens of life.
I think that is the core of Father Jack. He was able to minister to others, to point out the blessings, because he had dealt with his own burdens, setbacks, and struggles. He exemplified the concept of the “wounded healer.” He was a doctor for the soul because he recognized his own weaknesses and limitations.
Or, to use Father Jack’s language – he could coach, direct, and instruct others very effectively because he had been in the fight, on the ice, in the classroom and on the stage. He rolled up his sleeves and worked right alongside his family, friends, and parishioners.
Father Jack shared the “beatitudes” – the life of God – when he visited those in the hospital, celebrated the sacraments, prayed with those in need or talked to someone struggling with addiction or dealing with a personal tragedy.
When Father Jack left Fayetteville, he retired to Durham, but he never forgot the blessings he experienced here at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. You were always in his heart and his memories. When I became provincial, Jack had just left the parish. He was worried about going to a new parish, but I assured him that he would be a blessing to a new group of people.
Sure enough, the people in Durham grew to love Fr. Jack. They began to get his sense of humor and appreciate his humanness. They also witnessed his failing health and saw his physical limitations. In many ways, the last few years served as Father Jack’s last sermon. In the way he dealt with his losses and limitations, in the way he persevered and continued to be optimistic, Father Jack Kelly was showing us all how to see blessings – the life of God – in our own life, in our own situation. I believe this was because of his own life story, his own faith, and his embracing of the present moment.
Francis de Sales taught Jack – and all Oblates -to live in the here and now. Francis famously asked: “Why worry about castles in Spain when you are stuck in France?” Father Jack knew that all we had is the here and now. He lived one day at a time and dealt with whatever life brought him.
At the end of his life, he recognized that his body was giving out and that those days he tried to live faithfully were coming to a close. He died with the comfort of his sister staying by his side in the final day. He had his Oblate brothers by his side and, and he left this world with the prayers of all of you. He died with the beatitude – the life with God.
So, thank you. Thank you, parishioners, and friends. Thank you, brother priests and deacons! Thank you, Father Jack – for showing us how to live, how to love, and how to share the Beatitudes. You now experience the eternal day, the eternal life, the eternal blessing that God has promised.
Rejoice and be glad! Your reward will be great in heaven!
OBITUARY
REV. JOHN “JACK” KELLY, OSFS
With sadness, but with faith in the Resurrection, we announce that our brother, Rev. John J. (Jack) Kelly, OSFS, passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Jack was a professed member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for 61 years and a priest for 53 years.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on January 5, 1944, Jack was the son of John Kelly and Catherine (Bratina) Kelly. Jack was raised in Steelton, PA, and attended Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg. In high school, Jack met the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales who were his teachers and coaches. He joined the Oblates after graduation in 1961. Jack made his first profession of vows in 1963 and did student teaching at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia in the mid-1960s. Jack made his perpetual profession as an Oblate in 1966.
Jack earned a B.A. in English from Niagara University in Niagara, NY in 1968. While in college, Jack fell in love with the theatre and started to perform in plays at Niagara. After graduation from Niagara, Jack continued his love of the theatre and received special permission from his superiors to study drama at The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, DC. The Oblate Provincial at the time, the late Rev. Dan Gambet, OSFS, told Jack that “God had gifted you with much talent” and encouraged him to pursue his passion. Jack earned an M.A. at CUA while simultaneously completing his studies for the priesthood at De Sales School of Theology in D.C. Jack was ordained a priest in 1971 and was assigned to teach English at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware.
As a young teacher at Salesianum, Fr. Kelly impacted the entire school community. He taught English but became involved in both the theater and the athletic 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. Fr. Kelly eventually became the head of the Fine Arts Department. One Salesianum alumnus observed that Fr. Kelly was a “skilled director with an excellent feeling for the stage” and a worthy successor to Fr. John Spragg, OSFS, considered a legend of Salesianum theatre. During summer break, Fr. 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, Fr. Kelly sought treatment for his 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, DE. 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, Fr. Kelly left Wilmington and returned to the education field as Catholic Campus Minister at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. At the university level, Fr. Kelly drew on his many talents, interests, and experiences as he connected with college students, faculty, and staff. He continued his counseling and still had time to step on the stage and skate on the ice when he could.
In 1999, Fr. 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, Fr. Kelly moved to parish ministry, serving as parochial vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (IHM) in High Point, NCa. In 2002, Fr. Kelly was appointed pastor at IHM and served until 2010. In 2010, Fr. Kelly was transferred to Fayetteville, NC and served as pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. For twelve years, Fr. 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 crisis.
Health issues forced Fr. Kelly to leave St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. However, not wanting to retire completely, he moved to Holy Infant Parish in Durham, NC to live with Fr. Robert Rutledge, the Oblate pastor. While semi-retired, Fr. Kelly continued to serve the community by celebrating Mass regularly and supporting Fr. Rutledge in the sacramental life of the parish.
Even as he slowed down, Fr. 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 this past September. When he returned to the U.S, Fr. 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, MD this past November. His health began to decline quickly, and after a brief stay in the hospital, he entered hospice care at Annecy Hall a few days before he died.
Fr. Kelly is predeceased in death by his parents. He is survived by his sisters Beth Barclay, Kathy Kelly, his brother, Bob Kelly, nieces, nephews, and brother Oblates.
In his final weeks, Fr. 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, Fr. Kelly practiced the Salesian virtue of embracing the present moment. Fr. Kelly lived each day striving to “Live Jesus.”
Condolences may be sent to Jack's sister Beth:
Mrs. Beth Barclay
200 Cyril Lane
Richmond, VA 23229