January 2, 2009 4:11 PM
Father Michael Kelly - viewing and funeral
On behalf of Father Cesar, Father Gerard, Deacon Larry Hammel, the Pastoral Council and the staff of St. Francis, we are deeply saddened about the accidental death of our pastor, Father Michael C. Kelly on Wednesday morning.
Father Kelly was en route to the funeral of another priest, when he stopped on Harmony Church Road to remove a fallen tree. While doing so, another tree fell, struck him and apparently killed him instantly.
In this time of deep sadness and grieving may we turn to our Lord and pray for his mercy on us, Fr. Kelly, and his family.
The funeral arrangements for Fr. Kelly are as follows:
The Wake and Viewing will be held on Monday, January 5 from 6-8pm in the church at St. Francis De Sales.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 6 at 11am at St. Francis de Sales.
Fr. Kelly is survived by his father, John Kelly of Westmoreland County (Colonial Beach) and two brothers, Matthew Kelly of Fredericksburg and Daniel Kelly of Williamsburg.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Fr. Kelly's family c/o St. Francis de Sales Parish. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project
Former Sacred Heart priest dies in Loudoun mishap
By Jessica J. BurchardA former parochial vicar at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church died Wednesday after gusty winds blew a tree onto him.
The Rev. Michael C. Kelly, 53, was driving on Harmony Church Road in Loudoun County at about 9 a.m. when he left his car to remove a fallen tree from the road.
While he was moving the tree, another motorist stopped to help him.
Then a second tree along the side of the roadway was knocked over by the winds, striking and killing Kelly.
The other motorist, whose name was not released, was not injured.
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Kelly was driving to the funeral of another priest in Alexandria.
Kelly served as a priest at Sacred Heart from 2000 to 2005, working with parishioners and students at the Amherst Street church's school, Sacred Heart Academy.
"He was very dedicated to our academy, our school, and also our [local] hospital," said the Rev. Stanley J. Krempa, pastor at Sacred Heart. "He was a very, very easy person to work with."
"He was a big re-enactor," said Susan Galbraith, administrative assistant at the academy. "He had different costumes from the Civil War. He would go into classes wearing the uniform and talk about what different parts of it meant."
In an article from the Oct. 12, 2002, edition of The Winchester Star, Kelly discussed his interest in Civil War re-enacting.
He said it provided him an escape from the world while offering camaraderie with his brothers -- Matthew and Daniel Patrick Kelly -- and other history buffs.
The three Kelly brothers were history majors at Mary Washington College (now the University of Mary Washington) in Fredericksburg.
Kelly also enjoyed outfitting bicycles to look like airplanes.
"We would design airplane models that fit over a bicycle," Galbraith said. "When he rode it on the campus, it looked like he was flying. The children just loved it."
Kelly made several of the airplane models, including some based on World War II aircraft, which he auctioned at fundraisers to benefit Sacred Heart Academy.
In mid-2005, Kelly left Sacred Heart to take a position at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville. . . .
Galbraith expects many parishioners from the Winchester church and academy to attend the funeral.
She said Kelly will be remembered at Sacred Heart for his service to the church and community, as well as his enthusiasm.
"He really enjoyed being a priest and sharing his life and love with all of us."
Posted in Loudoun County | Permalink
Comments
What an amazing story. May the Lord comfort all of you that grieve his passing. And may the rest of us number our days!
Posted by: Kathy Brodock | January 3, 2009 4:12 PM
