Fr. James Deegan OMI

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Father James Deegan, OMI, 77, died Monday, September 20, 2021, in Buffalo, MN.

As a priest of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a worldwide religious community, for 56 years he served in many important positions and in worldwide assignments.  Fr. Deegan also served as Provincial and as Director of Novices.

Fr. Deegan is survived by his brother Oblates, four brothers, nephews; great-nephews; and a great-niece.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, 200 North 60th Street, Belleville, IL 62223. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may visit from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 30, 2031, at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing will be observed.

Funeral:  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL. The service will be live streamed from the Shrine’s website, www.snows.org.  Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing will be observed.

Burial will be at the St. Henry Oblate Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

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1 Comment on Fr. James Deegan OMI

Ricardo L. Parks said : Guest Report Feb 13, 2022 at 7:59 PM

Fr. Jim and I were classmates at Our Lady of the Ozarks Minor Seminary in Carthage, MO, from 1960-1962. 1960 when I arrived at OLO was our High School Junior year. Fr. Jim had been there since his Freshman year. I had returned that year from my Air Force Father's assignment at Albrook Air Force Base, Panama Canal Zone, and felt called to the priesthood. At OLO Fr. Jim was always very friendly and welcoming to me, the only new Junior Year arrival at OLO. Coming from Colorado to Missouri and being separated like that from my large Air Force family was unsettling and stressful but Fr. Jim helped ease that strain of family separation. I intended to return for my Freshman year of college starting in Fall 1962 but discovered a serious health problem that I was able to have resolved by Army and Air Force doctors during 1963. 1964 I joined the military like my Father had and served on active duty for over 28 years before retiring. I made contact with Fr. Jim a few years ago when I was trying to find out how many of my classmates had been ordained. He told me that three in our class had been ordained and Fr. Joe Harmon and Fr. Tom Wrzos had passed away. So very sad. I miss Fr. Jim and still remember his boyish, innocent smile of our teenage years. His smile in the picture I received of his obituary notice didn't change over the years. The love he had for the Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Oblate priesthood and all whom he came in contact with during this life remained on his face, in his smile. May God Bless and Keep You, Fr. Jim. Please continue to pray for us as we will pray for you, Dear Friend. I am Ricardo L. Parks, Major, Regular United States Air Force, Retired. Junior Oblate of Mary Immaculate (1962). ricparks78@gmail.com 702-415-6826

  • Las Vegas
  • Nevada

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