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| News – Section/Local A Tribute to Fr. Bob McDonald, S.M. Ralph & Dotty Cornette Since making his Weekend in May, 1978, Fr. Bob McDonald has faithfully served Worldwide Marriage Encounter. He has presented hundreds of Weekends throughout Maine, New England, and the rest of the country. He gave presentations at several Worldwide Marriage Encounter National/Regional Conventions and was a monthly contributor to eMatrimony. As such, he touched the lives of countless couples, priests and their families. Fr. Bob served with several couples as Ecclesial team for Maine. He was a member of the U.S. Secretariat Board representing Section 1 (New England) from 1997-2003. Fr. Bob talked about his dream of being a missionary. We believe that is exactly what he was. He was open and adventurous. He delighted in the works of the Lord. He has inspired us by his unconditional love, commitment, and spirituality. We learned from him how to listen to and affirm, not only each other, but our children, other couples, co-workers, and priests, as well. Fr. Bob was an avid believer in daily dialogue, inviting others to the Weekend, the power of the sacramental couple, and the Ecclesial team relationship. He inspired couples and priests with his awareness of the importance of sharing feelings in dialogue. As a Marist, Fr. Bob followed the example of Mary, especially the qualities of humility and acceptance. He often spoke of Mary and Joseph as a model for married couples. His spirituality and acceptance of God’s will for him were especially evident in his last days.
Published Obituary: Robert McDonald, 86, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 24, 2007 at a Van Buren, Maine health care facility. He was born in Limestone, Maine, Nov. 29, 1920, the son of Edward and Iva (Brown) McDonald. He was educated in Limestone schools from 1926 to 1936 and studied for the priesthood at the Marist Seminaries in Bedford and Framingham, Mass. from 1936 to 1950. Fr. Mac, as he was affectionately known, took his religious vows as a Marist (the Society of Mary) at the Marist Novitiate in Staten Island, NY on Sept. 8, 1942. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Richard Cardinal Cushing on Feb. 2, 1950 at the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Boston, Mass. His priestly assignments included many areas of ministry, as high school teacher, hospital chaplain, parish priest, and as a presenter for the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Movement. He is survived by two sisters, Fay Geden of Philadelphia, PA, and Anne Beemer of Middletown, NY; one brother, Joel McDonald of Long Island, NY. The remains of Fr. McDonald will lie in state at the St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church, 180 Main St, Van Buren, ME from 2 PM until 9 PM on Friday, Jan. 26 and from 7 AM until 9:30 AM on Saturday. A concelebrated funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, Jan. 27 at St. Bruno-St. Remi with Very Reverend Roland Lajoie, SM, Provincial of the Marist Fathers, as main celebrant. Spring interment will be in the McDonald family lot at St. Louis Cemetery in Limestone. In memory of Fr. Mac, please pray and offer masses for the repose of his soul and for vocations to the priesthood. Memorial donations may be made to the Marist Fathers Senior Religious Fund, 518 Pleasant St., Framingham, MA 01701-2898. Funeral arrangements are a service of Ouellette-Thibault Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren, Maine. Testimonials: To see testimonials published in the December, 2005 issue of the Maine Encounter Spirit in honor of Fr. Bob’s 85th birthday, click here (PDF, 24KB). Memorial Card: See a copy of Fr. Bob's Memorial Card. (PDF, 39KB)
Click here for a printable version (PDF, 22KB)
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