Father James Kelly

Father James Kelly, 71, Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church of Camp Verde died suddenly October 9. A native of Ireland, he was born, October 6, 1934 in Milltown, County Kerry, Ireland, the son of Daniel and Ellen (O\u0027Connor) Kelly. He attended National School in Dungeel from 1941 to 1947 and the Presentation Brothers school from 1947-1949. He went on to Mount Mellery Seminary in Coppoquin County, Waterford from 1949-1956. He then attended St. Patrick\u0027s College in Carlow from 1956 to 1960. Father Kelly was ordained on June 11, 1960 in the Carlow Cathedral in Ireland by Bishop Thomas Keogh. Father Kelly served the following parishes in Arizona: Sacred Heart Church in Nogales from 1960-1961; St. Ambrose Church in Tucson from 1961-1965; St. Mary\u0027s Church in Chandler from 1965-1970; as founding Pastor of Our Lady of Guadelupe Church in Tempe from 1970-1972; and became the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Valley in Phoenix in 1973. Several years later he took a sabbatical. He was appointed the Administrator of St. Philip Benizi Mission in Black Canyon City from 1989-1992. Father Kelly was appointed pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Church in July of 1992 and served until his death. Father Kelly was devoted to his parishoners and despite health problems was a regular visitor to patients in the hospital and at local convalescent homes. He leaves four brothers, Ned Kelly of Austrailia, Brian Kelly, Daniel Kelly Kevin Kelly, a sister, Abbie Kelly O\u0027Brien all of County Kerry, Ireland and several nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 16th at 5:00 PM in St. Frances Cabrini Church. Rosary and Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 17 in St. Frances Cabrini Church in Camp Verde at 10 AM. Bishop Thomas Olmstead will preside. Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery in Cottonwood. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Parish Assistance Fund For The Poor, c/o St.Frances Cabrini Church, P O Box 1677, Camp Verde, AZ 86322.