March 13, 2026

Funeral Mass celebrated for Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell March 13

REGIONAL
By Kathy Harrington

SPRINGFIELD –“Plain, simple, and short.” Those were the instructions Bishop Emeritus Timothy A. McDonnell left in his funeral plans. The eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield died on March 4 after a battle with cancer. Mourners, including his younger brother, John McDonnell, FMS, a Marist Brother and other family members gathered at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Friday March13 for Bishop McDonnell’s liturgy of Christian burial and his interment in the St. Augustine Crypt Chapel.

Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne and St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski celebrated the funeral liturgy for Bishop Emeritus Timothy A. McDonnell.

Bishop William D. Byrne of the Diocese of Springfield celebrated the Mass with Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis who served as ninth Bishop of Springfield, Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester, Vicar General Christopher Malatesta and Monsignor Christopher Connelly, co-pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, concelebrating. Additionally, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, retired Archbishop of New York, and nine other archbishops and bishops were on hand, as well as more than five dozen priests, dozens of deacons and religious sisters serving in the diocese.

In his homily, Monsignor Christopher Connelly recalled that it was 22 years ago this week that Bishop McDonnell was announced as the eighth Bishop of Springfield. On arriving in Springfield, he said, “I’m here for good and I’m glad to be home.” He was installed on April 1, 2004, a date he found humorous, Monsignor Connelly said. 

Remembering Bishop McDonnell’s cheerful disposition, Monsignor Connelly said, “He tended to look on the bright side of things. Never at a loss for words, certainly never, never at a loss for puns, he seemed to take the spiritual advice found in the Book of Proverbs, ‘a cheerful heart is good medicine.”

As he concluded his homily, Monsignor Connelly gave thanks to Bishop McDonnell’s parents for giving both sons to ministry in the church; to New York for giving him to the Diocese of Springfield, and said, “Today a grateful church gives him back to God.”

Members of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help were among the mourners. Sister Cecilia Morales, director of Latino Ministries for the Diocese of Springfield, said it was Bishop McDonnell who invited them to serve in the diocese. “We felt very much his support for our ministry with the Hispanic community,” she said. Sister Catrina Olmos said the bishop was always an inspiration with his pastoral service, even in his last days at Mary’s Meadow. She also recalled Bishop McDonnell’s kindness when he gave the sisters tickets for the Big E. “He also gave us one hundred dollars to buy popcorn!” she said.

The funeral Mass for Bishop Emeritus Timothy A. McDonnell, the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, was held in St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield March 13.

Following the Mass, Bishop McDonnell was laid to rest in the St. Augustine Chapel Crypt at the cathedral, with the priests and deacons of the diocese as well as invited archbishops and bishops there for final prayers.

A video version of this story will be featured on Saturday’s edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.