An ‘Authentic Man’ Committed to Home Mission Ministry
Glenmary Father Ed Haggerty dead at 79

Glenmary Father Ed Haggerty

CINCINNATI (October 31, 2003)—Glenmary Father Edward Haggerty, a member of the Cincinnati-based Glenmary Home Missioners for 50 years, died Oct. 29, 2003, in Dayton, Ohio. Born August 16, 1924, in Chicago, Father Haggerty collapsed and died at his residence in Dayton of an apparent heart attack.

“Father Haggerty described himself as an ‘authentic man,’” says Father Bob Poandl, first vice president of Glenmary. “His life and his ministry reflected that authenticity as he shared the Good News throughout Mission Land, USA.”

Father Haggerty graduated from Loyola University in Chicago in 1949 and attended St. Gregory Seminary and Mount St. Mary of the West Seminary in Cincinnati before joining Glenmary and making his First Oath in 1953.

As a student at Loyola, Father Haggerty made his decision to join Glenmary after meeting Father William Howard Bishop, the missionary society’s founder. In his 50 years as a home missioner, Father Haggerty served in a variety of ministries. After his ordination in 1957, he served as director of the Brothers’ Training Program. His first mission assignment in 1961 led him to Glenmary’s mission in Norton, Va., as associate pastor. In the years that followed, his pastorates included missions in Morehead, Ky.; Jefferson and Mt. Pleasant, Texas; and Claxton, Ga.

It was during his 18 years of ministry in Texas from the 1960s through the early 1980s that Father Haggerty began focusing on the needs of Spanish-speaking immigrants living in his mission area. He, with the assistance of many parishioners and coworkers, began bilingual Masses, catechesis and general outreach to this newly arrived population. His efforts brought Anglos and Hispanics together into a single worshiping community.

Father Haggerty was one of the pioneers of Hispanic ministry in Glenmary missions. He was one of the first Glenmarians to attend Spanish-language classes at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in San Antonio—a practice now common among all Glenmary missioners. Today, Hispanic ministry has become a key element of home mission ministry.

In 1994 Father Haggerty retired and, to be near family members, took up residence at Holy Family Church in Dayton. While in residence, he became a part of the parish, providing sacramental ministry as well as helping out wherever and whenever he was needed.

Father Haggerty is survived by one brother, John, of Chicago, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday evening, Nov. 4, at Our Lady of the Fields Chapel at the Glenmary Residence, 4119 Glenmary Trace, Fairfield, Ohio. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. at St. Gabriel Church, Glendale, Ohio. Burial will follow immediately at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials are requested to Glenmary Home Missioners, P.O. Box 465618, Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618.

Glenmary Home Missioners is a Catholic society of priests and brothers who, along with coworkers, staff over 60 missions in 13 dioceses throughout Appalachia, the South and Southwest. Through service, word and sacrament, Glenmarians strive to bring spiritual development and social justice to the neglected rural areas of the United States.