Rev. Monsignor James J. Haddad, Senior Priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, retired Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Needham and former pastor of St. Eulalia’s Parish in Winchester died on Thursday August 9th at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham. He was 74 years old.
Monsignor James J. Haddad was ordained from St. John’s Seminary in Brighton at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross by Richard Cardinal Cushing in 1958 having attended Boston College and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. His early parochial assignments were at St. Johns-St Hugh’s, Roxbury; St. Bridget, Maynard; and Sacred Heart, North Quincy. In 1961 he was named a member of the newly established Catholic Interracial Council. In 1964 he was sent by Cardinal Cushing to pursue a programme of studies leading to a doctorate degree in Systematic Theology at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Ireland’s National Major Seminary and Pontifical University. In 1967 after receiving his doctorate degree at Maynooth, Monsignor Haddad was named the first Director of the Pastoral Institute in Brighton, the center for the continuing education and formation of priests. He served as Director for ten years. During theses years he taught theology at St. John’s Seminary, Regis College, Emmanuel College, and in the summer, on a graduate program in religious studies at St. Michael’s College in Winooski Vermont. In addition in 1971 he conducted study weeks in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador for the Missionary Society of St. James. He has conducted priests’ retreats and study weeks in many dioceses in this country. In his formative years he represented the Archdiocese in the Continuing Education division for the BTI (Boston Theological Institute). Also during these years he served on several Archdiocesan Boards – elected in 1967 to the first Priests’ Personnel Board; he served on the Archdiocesan Ecumenical Commission, Committee for Priest, Pursuing Higher Studies and the Archdiocesan Committee on Rectory Life. During this time he was also instrumental in the establishment of NOCERCC (The National Organization for the continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy). He was asked by Cardinal Medeiros to design and implement the curriculum for the Permanent Diaconate Programme. After 10 years at the Pastoral Institute Fr. Jim was made pastor of St. Eulalia Parish in Winchester. During his tenure there the parish built a religious education centre and renovated the Church in keeping with the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council. He also instituted a resettlement for Vietnamese refugees and set-up perhaps the first parish “Giving Tree” to help needy families in the inner city. During his years in Winchester he served a term as Episcopal Vicar for what was then designated as the Newton Vicariate. In 1985 Fr. Jim was named by Cardinal Law to be the first Executive Director of the Archdiocesan Development Office. In this position he was responsible for the Cardinal’s Appeal. Building on the St. Anthony’s Fund, the office conducted the first Annual Dinner to raise funds for Inner-City Schools and the first fundraising dinner for St. James’ Society. In 1988 Fr. Jim was named pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Needham. During these years the parish flourished with over 40 lay-led parish organizations. The parish built during this time a new Middle School, a Parish Center and completely renovated the convent for kindergarten use. The Parish has continued the tradition of a “giving tree” and has assisted Mother Teresa’s sisters in Haiti with a Haitian Mission Project each Lent. In October 2002 he was awarded the Cardinal Cushing Medal for Service to the Missionary Society of St. James. In 1996 he was named the second recipient of the Alumni award for Excellence in Religion by Boston College. In 1987 he was named a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher and in 1998 was named a Monsignor by our late Holy Father Pope John Paul II. Perhaps the greatest testimonial to the nobility of soul of Monsignor James J. Haddad that when he retired two years ago, his parishioners and friends gave him a gift in excess of $80,000 all of which Monsignor promptly donated to the St. James’ Society to build a clinic and Church in Peru. Monsignor Haddad always expressed his appreciation to the Sisters and staff at St. Patrick’s Manor for his great care.
The beloved son of the late John J. and Mary K. Haddad, he was the devoted brother of the late Abraham J. and William Haddad. Monsignor is survived by his aunt, Lillian Haddad and uncle, George Haddad both of Marlboro as well as many caring and loving cousins.
Monsignor Haddad will lie in state in St. Joseph Church 1360 Highland Ave Needham on Monday August 13 from 2-8 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. A Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM, The Most Rev. Robert F. Hennessey, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston will be the principal celebrant. Interment in the family lot at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury will be private. In lieu of flowers donations in Monsignor Haddad’s name may be made to the St. Joseph Parish School Endowment Fund, 1382 Highland Avenue Needham MA 02492.