Msgr. Arthur Lirette, Holy Family pastor emeritus, dies

Funeral Mass was celebrated July 3 at Holy Family Church in Glendale for Msgr. Arthur Lirette, P.A., 82, pastor emeritus, who died June 26 of an intestinal condition. Msgr. Lirette was a longtime pastor at the 100-year-old parish, serving for 21 years before retiring in 1995.

Born in Eureka, Calif., the second of four children of Arthur Joseph and Mary E. Lirette, he attended St. Joseph School in Santa Ana and St. Elizabeth School in Altadena. He entered Los Angeles College (Junior Seminary) in 1938, started at St. John's Seminary in 1943, and was ordained by Archbishop James Francis McIntyre in 1949.

Father Lirette served as an associate in several parishes, including St. Ignatius, Los Angeles; SS. Felicitas & Perpetua, San Marino; Santa Isabel, Los Angeles; St. Alphonsus, Los Angeles; St. Vibiana Cathedral, Los Angeles; St. Albert, Compton; and Sacred Heart, Covina.

In 1970, he began serving as administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Los Angeles where he helped coordinate the annual East L.A. December procession in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. He served as OLG's pastor from 1972-74 and, in August 1974, was appointed pastor of Holy Family Church in Glendale.

He was named a Chaplain of His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, with the title of Monsignor, in December of 1974. The following year, he oversaw construction of a new parish grade school kitchen and, in 1977, was responsible for constructing a new rectory and parish office facility.

Throughout Msgr. Lirette's ministry, he served as a chaplain to various groups, including the Knights of Columbus (state chaplain 1972 and 1974), Catholic Daughters, the Young Ladies Institutes and the Glendale Police Department. He was honored by the Vatican with the title, Protonotary Apostolic, in 1995.

"He was an incredible human being. He'd give you the shirt off his back," said Brad Thomas, assistant to current Holy Family pastor, Father Joe Shea. A mentor to many transitional deacons and new priests, Msgr. Lirette was both a "priest's priest and a people's priest. He was an inspiration and a friend," added Father Shea.

Survivors include his sister, Beth, sister-in-laws Stella and Vangie, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial donations to the Msgr. Lirette Scholarship Fund benefiting Holy Family schools may be sent to Holy Family Church, 209 E. Lomita Ave., Glendale, Calif. 91205.

Sr. Mary Patrick Sullivan, SND
Funeral Mass was held June 11 for Sister of Notre Dame Mary Patrick Sullivan, who died June 8 in the health care center of the provincial house of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Thousand Oaks.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she made her profession of vows in 1934 and taught in Ohio, Virginia and Washington D.C. In 1953, she came to California and spent 11 years as a teacher and principal at several local schools.

Following her time in the classroom, she joined the archdiocesan Department of Catholic Schools and spent the next 13 years providing support to principals, teachers and school staff. According to her community members, "she loved and lived education to her fingertips." She volunteered to train Eucharistic ministers to assist her with hospital visits after she retired from the Catholic Schools Department.

Survivors include nieces Marilyn Sullivan and Pat Horvath and nephews Daniel Sullivan, Edward Sullivan and Ron Connors. Burial was at Assumption Cemetery in Simi Valley.

Sr. Anne Margaret Butler, DMJ
Funeral Mass was held recently for Daughters of Mary and Joseph Sister Anne Margaret Butler, who died April 23.

Born in Athlone, Ireland, she ministered as a teacher in the following local schools: St. Sebastian, Precious Blood and St. Paul the Apostle. She also ministered as household manager and caregiver at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent in Brentwood, the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center and the Marian Residence, both in Palos Verdes.

Memorial donations may be made to the Daughters of Mary and Joseph Retirement Fund, 5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. 90275.

Rosario Magaña
Funeral Mass was held July 2 at St. Anthony Church in Long Beach for Rosario Magaña, 82, who died June 28. Rosario was the mother of Father Jose Magaņa, pastor of St. Anthony Church. Burial was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights.