Monsignor Oliver McGready died May 22 at Morningside House of St. Charles. But before I tell you about his death, let me tell you how he came to be at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Camp Springs.
Back on Jan. 31, 1971, St. Philip’s assistant pastor, Father Francis Dolan, collapsed and died while playing basketball with parish teens during open gym at Foulois Junior High in Morningside. Father Dolan was only 42.
The funeral at St. Philip’s Church was huge. The parish was heartbroken. Cardinal O’Boyle lost no time assigning a new assistant pastor, Father Oliver McGready, a charming Irishman who was welcomed with a reception February 28, 1971. He helped the parishioners deal with their grief.
Four years later, St. Philip’s founding pastor, Msgr. Joseph Teletchea was transferred to St. Jerome’s, and St. Philip’s had a new pastor, Father Oliver Mahedy, of Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland.
The parish then had a staff of two Irishmen---an assistant pastor from Ireland and a Pastor from Northern Ireland—both named Oliver.
I was reminded of this when I got word that Msgr. Oliver McGready had died May 22 at Morningside House. He was 85.
Oliver McGready was born in Moneymore, Ireland, one of the 15 children of Patrick and Brigid McGready. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, Ireland.
His first assignment was St. John the Evangelist, in Clinton, and then St. Michael the Archangel in Silver Spring, before being assigned to St. Philip’s in 1971.
After leaving St. Philip’s in 1976, he was pastor of Sacred Heart, LaPlata; St. Mary of the Mills, Laurel; St. Martin of Tours, Gaithersburg; Holy Family, Hillcrest Heights; Shrine of St. Jude, Rockville; and St. Mary’s, Newport.
Msgr., Oliver McGready’s Mass of Christian Burial was May 29 at St. Peter’s in Waldorf. The other Oliver, Father Mahedy, died in 1999. Two Irish Olivers, together again.
Town of Morningside: Low-cost shots for dogs & catsMorningside’s upcoming schedule:
June 11, monthly Work Session, 7 p.m.
June 19, Morningside offices closed for the Juneteenth holiday.
June 22, Morningside kicks off Summer with an Ice-Cream Social and Roller Skating, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Enjoy a hot dog dinner and ice cream bar. Giveaway and raffle tickets for sale. Admission free.
June 29-30. Spring Clean-up. Sunday, June 30, Low-cost shot clinic for dogs and cats.
July 4. The annual Morningside Fourth of July Parade, up Suitland Road, on Thursday, July 4. If you have a marching group, high school band, a vintage vehicle, 10 people pushing lawn-mowers, or any other possible parade item, call 301-736-2301.
Following the parade, Family Fun continues at Morningside, with fireworks at dust. Volunteers are needed; call 301-736-2301.
Neighbors & other good peopleMary Anderson, owner and operator of Mary’s Boutique in Camp Springs for 14 years, died May 4. She was 95. Services were at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, Silver Spring.
Germaine Haywood has been confirmed by the M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation as the new Chief of the Park Police.
Changing landscapeThe National Zoo announced last Wednesday that China is sending them two new giant pandas—Bao Li, 2, a male, and Qing Bao, 2, female. They will be arriving later this year.
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name after 114 years. It will be Scouting America, in order to make it possible to include girls. The change will officially take effect on Feb. 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th birthday. I have fond memories of Morningside’s Irene and Roscoe Smith heading the Scouts (Troop 282?) with meetings at Bells U.M. Church. All three of my sons were Scouts. Only son Brian stayed a Scout and loved the campouts.
Jobs: teachers neededSaint Philip’s School, in Camp Springs, has openings for two teachers, middle-school math & science teacher and an elementary teacher. Go to mtruss@stpamd.org.
Places to go and things to doThe Real Milk and Honey Eatery & Bar has opened at 4531 Telfair Blvd., in Camp Springs. Think: Berry French Toast, Blackened Salmon, Crab Cake Sandwich, Caribbean Jerk Lamb. Opens at 10 a.m. Info: 301-423-1026.
Movies on the Potomac continues at National Harbor through September 29. Thursdays feature date-night films at 7 p.m.; Sundays have family films at 6 pm.
Head for Watkins Regional Park to celebrate Juneteenth 2024 on Saturday, June 15, noon to 5 p.m.
Ever wanted to visit Spain and Portugal? Father Ryan Pineda, as chaplain, is leading a pilgrimage to those countries, October 1-8, 2024. For information, call 347-463-3998.
Leroy Coleman dies at 88Leroy Coleman, Jr., of Skyline, died May 9, two days short of his 89th birthday. He grew up in Saluda, S.C.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary V., Coleman; son Harold; sisters Virginia Vaughn and Marie Glover; brother Lawrence Coleman, and two granddaughters. Services were at Emmanuel Baptist Church with interment at Arlington Cemetery.
MilestonesHappy Birthday to Robin Murphy and Rev. Frank Ways, June 9; Laura Smith Jenkins, June 10; Fannie Dimes and Meghan Trexler Decker, June 11; Keenus Clark and Shirley Profhit, June 12; Aimee Crawford, Joel McCune and Cameron Nichols, June 13; Tony Proctor and Rep. Steny Hoyer, June 14; Kara Dameron, Dot Pfeil and June Zaccagnino, June 15.
Happy Anniversary to my son Mike and Sandy McHale, June 9.
Email (muddmm@gmail.com) birthdays and anniversaries.
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