January is the anniversary of James A. McDonald.

James Aloysius McDonald, son of James McDonald and Catherin Neilon, was born in Andover, MA, on February 8, 1877. His primary education was received in his native town after which he entered Villanova College where he distinguished himself academically and played fullback on the varsity football team. At the completion of his college courses he entered the novitiate of the Augustinian Order on February 2, 1897, professed simple vows on February 3, 1898 and solemn vows on May 29, 1901. He studied theology at Villanova and also took course at the University of Pennsylvania in Botany, Physiology, Zoology, and Chemistry (1898-1901). He was ordained to the priesthood by our own Cardinal Sebastian Martinelli at the Apostolic Delegation in Washington, D.C., on September 29, 1901.

Father McDonald was assigned to the faculty of Villanova College and then for three years (1903-1906) he assisted in building up Colegio san Agustin at el Cristo in Havana, Cuba. Returning to the States he served as assistant pastor at Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Bryn Mawr (1906-1910), and then as sub-prior under Father James T. O’Reilly, O.S.A. at Saint Mary’s Parish in Lawrence (1910-1916). Here he had charge of the Saint Rita district, was spiritual director of the Holy Name Society which he brought to a membership of over one thousand, and in 1912 instituted the Saint Mary’s Cadets. Father was transferred to Immaculate Conception Parish, Hoosick Falls, NY, in 1916, from which station he enlisted for service in the army as chaplain and held a captain’s rank (1917-191). During this period, too, he also worked on the mission band preaching missions from New York to California, (1916-1920).

Recognizing his many talents, his superiors sent him to Detroit, MI, to establish a new parish, Saint Augustine, where he built a church, a school, and a rectory (1920-1926). In 1926 Father McDonald was again chosen to organize a new parish at Grosse Pointe Park, MI, Saint Clare of Montefalco, where he built a church, school, rectory, and convent. From 1929-1935 he was prior and pastor of Saint Mary’s Parish, Lawrence. Having himself labored at the age of 13 in the mills, he utilized all his practical knowledge and considerable conciliatory skills to help iron out the difficulties in connection with the 1931 textile troubles. From 1935 to 1941 he was prior and pastor at Saint Laurence O’Toole parish in the same city.

His kindly disposition and affable manner, aided by a robust constitution, enabled Father McDonald to accomplish a tremendous amount of good during his apostolate. His influence extended beyond the parish to municipal and civic affairs as well. Stricken suddenly Father died in Lawrence on January 13, 1941, and was buried with full military honors. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Saint Mary’s Cemetery Lawrence, MA.

†