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Rev. John E. McLaughlin, O.S.A. (1910-1974)

Rev. John E. McLaughlin, O.S.A. entered eternal life September 6, 1974.

John Edward McLaughlin was born January 24, 1910 in Malden, Massachusetts to Edward and Elizabeth (David) McLaughlin. He was Baptized February 6, 1910 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Malden. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation October 31, 1922 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Melrose, Massachusetts.

After completing studies at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, he was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 9, 1928. He professed vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1929. He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, and then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest June 9, 1936. He later earned an M. A. in Philosophy from Catholic University of America, Washington, and a Specialist in Education degree from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.

Father McLaughlin taught at St. Rita High School, Chicago, from 1937 to 1942. He was the first Director of Postulants at St. Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, from 1942 to 1949. When the preparatory seminary program was moved in 1949 from St. Monica to St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan, the Novitiate program was established at St. Monica. Father McLaughlin remained at St. Monica as the first Director of Novices, serving in that office until 1956.

He returned in 1956 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as Principal. During his administration, St. Rita, with 2250 students, was the largest Catholic boys' high school in the Midwestern United States.

In 1962 Father McLaughlin was named Director of Professed at Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri. He served in the same position from 1963 to 1965 at Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois.

Father McLaughlin served as Principal of Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan, from 1965 to 1967. He then became Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.

In 1973 a serious heart conditition made his retirement necessary. He spent a year recuperating at Mother of Good Counsel Monastery at Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts. He returned to the Midwest in 1974, and resided at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, until the time of his death September 6, 1974.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.