1931- 2020

Reverend Monsignor James F. Connelly, Pastor Emeritus, Stella Maris Parish, Philadelphia, died on Saturday, December 5, 2020.

Monsignor Connelly was born on March 13, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late James H. Connelly and the late Mary Devlin. Monsignor Connelly attended Saint Joan of Arc Parochial School, Philadelphia, and Saint Joseph College High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Monsignor Connelly also attended Pontifical Gregorian University.

Monsignor Connelly was ordained on December 17, 1955, at The Chapel of the North American College, in Rome, by Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor, D.D. He was named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness John Paul VI on January 18, 1976. Monsignor Connelly served as Parochial Vicar, Saint Gabriel Parish, Norwood; and Saint John the Baptist Parish, Philadelphia. He also served on the Faculty and as Vice Rector at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbook. He served as secretary to John Cardinal Krol from 1961 to 1968. In 1985 he was appointed Pastor, to Stella Maris Parish, Philadelphia, and named Pastor Emeritus in 2008.

A viewing will be held at Stella Maris Church, Philadelphia on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 9:00 AM. Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D. will celebrate the Funeral Mass for Monsignor Connelly at Stella Maris Church, Philadelphia, on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at 10:30 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Monsignor Paul A. DiGirolamo, Reverend Joseph J. Kelley, Reverend John R.DiOrio. Reverend Monsignor Charles L. Sangermano will be the homilist.

Monsignor Connelly is survived by several cousins. Internment will be at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Philadelphia.