Funeral Mass was held Dec. 12 at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Los Angeles for Father Thomas McLaughlin, pastor emeritus who died Dec. 6 at age 88.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Father McLaughlin grew up in Mother of Sorrows Church in Los Angeles, later moving to St. Stephen's in 1941. After studying at the Junior Seminary, he entered St. John's Seminary where he interrupted his studies from 1943 to 1946 to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was cited by his commanding officer in Okinawa for crossing a 200-yard exposed area during an artillery barrage to administer first aid to five wounded comrades.

Following his ordination in 1949, Father McLaughlin served at several parishes and schools, including Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles, St. Matthias Church in Huntington Park, St. Peter Church in Los Angeles and St. Pius X and St. John Vianney High Schools.

He was assigned as assistant pastor of St. Teresa of Avila in 1965, and served as pastor there from 1969 until his retirement in 1991 when he was named pastor emeritus. In the last several years, he resided at St. John of God Retirement Center.

Father McLaughlin is survived by his sister, St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Mary Clare McLaughlin of Los Angeles. Interment was at San Fernando Mission Cemetery.

Fr. Jeffry Fairfield, O.Carm.

A Memorial Mass was held Dec. 8 at the St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles for Carmelite Father Jeffry Fairfield, 84, who died Nov. 28.

Born in Chicago, Father Fairfield attended Mount Carmel Preparatory Seminary and College in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Ordained a priest in 1946, he taught English and ministered in a number of places, including California and Lima, Peru.

Additional Memorial Masses for Father Fairfield will be held Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, and in February in Darien, Illinois.