McGread, Thomas
April 25, 2013
Mass in memory of local priest who died in America
A Special mass will be held in St Mary's Church, Drumragh this Friday evening at 6pm to commemorate the recent death of locally-born Monsignor Thomas McGread in Wichita, Kansas.
A native of Tattysallagh, Mgr Mc-Gread spent his entire priesthood in America before retiring in 1999. He passed away on April 1, aged 84. A son of the late John and Gertrude McGread, he was one of six of a family of two boys and four girls. He received his early education at Tattysallagh PS and St Columb's College in Derry. The story goes that when asked at primary school by his teacher, Mr McDermott, what he was going to do when
he grew up, he announced that he would be a Pope. Leaving St Columb's, he went on to study for the priesthood at All Hallows College in Dublin. Just prior to his death he had celebrated his 60th year as a priest. Following his ordination in 1953, he emigrated to the States where he was to remain throughout his life. He returned to his native Tattysallagh on an annual basis until his health failed. Over the years, family members regularly travelled to visit him in Kansas.
Throughout his ministry, Mgr McGread was heavily involved in the 'stewardship' programme in his parish of St Francis of Assisi where he encouraged lay people to give their time and talents to the church.
As a result, he travelled extensively throughout the States delivering seminars. When he could no longer travel, many people came to his conference, centre to meet with him. Mgr McGread was also heavily involved in the building of churches, schools and retirement centres in the U.S. He regularly organised trips to Rome and the Holy Land.
He had a great love of sport and played Gaelic football for Tattysallagh, St Columb's College, All Hallows in Dublin and Tyrone minors. He was also a champion shot-putter at St Columb's and played golf all his life with lifelong friend, Fr Benny Colton. He was also blessed with a great sense of humour and excellent memory and could recall the names of all the people in his parish.
He was named Prelate of Honour to Pope John Paul II on March 4, 1998 and prior to his death he was awarded a scholarship from Newman University for his stewardship work and 60 years in the priesthood.
Mgr McGread passed away on April 1 and was buried in St Francis of Assisi Church on April 5. Family members who travelled to Kansas for the funeral included his sister Gertie Croarken and her daughter Anne, his nephew Kevin Cunningham and wife Joyce, and nephews Jim and Paul McGread.
His funeral was packed to capacity and included two bishops and 58 priests in attendance, many of whom he had brought to the priesthood and were former associates whom he guided in their pastoral work.
He was pre-deceased by his brother Pat and his sisters Mary and Teresa. Surviving members of his family are Sr Margaret Mary, Ballyshannon and Gertie in Coventry.
Courtesy of The Ulster Herald
25th April 2013
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