January 3, 2025

Columban Fr. Mark Mengel, 1943-2025; Holyoke native who served in diocese

REGIONAL
Staff Report

SPRINGFIELD –  Father Mark Mengel, a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban religious order, passed away January 2, 2025.

A Holyoke native, born September 12, 1943, he was the oldest of four children of Emile and Rose (O’Donnell) Mengel. He was a 1961 graduate of the former St. Jerome High School in Holyoke, going on to earn a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and a master of divinity degree from St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. His priestly formation took place at Columban seminaries in Oconomowoc, WI, Bristol, RI and Milton, MA. He was ordained to the priesthood June 5, 1971 at Holy Cross Church in Holyoke.

Father Mengel was a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban, an international missionary society.

After ordination Father Mengel’s mission assignment was to Chile. There he served as pastor of the Nuestra Senora de El Olivo, an area of about 80,000 people. He was also dean of the area and a member of the vicariate council. He was active in the Vicariate for Workers, the first of its kind in Latin America.

In March 1979 he was appointed rector of Columban theology students in Cambridge MA. In September 1979 he was assigned as a member U.S. Volunteer Priests Admissions Board. In November 1979 he became chairman of the Justice & Peace Commission for the region.

In 1984 he became rector of the Columban Formation House in Chicago. In September 1984 he completed a program of CPE as a supervisor at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston.

On September 1, 1987 Father Mengel became the coordinator of the Columban Justice and Peace Commission for the U.S. Region. As part of that work he became a board member of the Philippines Coalition for Human Rights. He also was a coordinating member of USCMA for their annual conference in November 1989. He became the chairperson of the Personnel Committee for Interfaith Action for Economic Justice and a member of its Board of Directors.

In February 1991 Father Mengel was appointed to the Columban Regional Council. In March 1, 1994 the Columban Regional Council appointed him as the Formation/Regional Vocations Coordinator, effective September 1, 1994. In addition, he became the coordinator for Columban Lay Mission. In February 1995 he was once again appointed to Regional Council.

The General Council appointed Father Mengel as rector of the Columban International Theologate in Chicago, effective September 1996.

In 2006 he was granted a sabbatical in Rome after which he was allowed to relocate in the Diocese of Springfield so that he could be closer to his aged and ailing parents.

Father Mengel’s first diocesan assignment was as administrator of the former St. Teresa Parish in Pittsfield.  He went on to serve as administrator of Holy Name Parish in Springfield from 2008 until August 2018, when he retired.

During his time in the diocese he also served three terms on the Presbyteral Council and two terms as a member of the College of Consultors – his second term was scheduled to end on January 15.

In retirement he also served twice as administrator pro-tem of Holy Cross Parish in Springfield.

In 2016, he was the Christian Charity Award recipient given by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, marching in his hometown’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade.

In September 2018 he was named chaplain of Pope Francis Preparatory School, Springfield, a position he held until June 2022.

Father Mengel is survived by his brothers Paul Mengel of Longmeadow and  Christopher Mengel of Grosse Pointe, MI, and his sister Rosalie Ferriter Moore of Callawassie Island, SC, several nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral services for Father Mengel will take place on Wednesday, January 8 at Holy Name Parish, 323 Dickenson Street in Springfield.  Calling hours will be from 9 a.m until 10:30 a.m. when his funeral Mass will take place.