Building to be named for Bishop McDonald

Dedication to be held June 11, after 10 years standing vacant

Published: January 16, 2010

By Malea Hargett
Editor

Malea Hargett

Dennis Lee and Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald, who now lives in Palatine, Ill., share a laugh Jan. 7 during a lunch with diocesan employees at St. John Center in Little Rock.

Malea Hargett

Dennis Lee and Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald, who now lives in Palatine, Ill., share a laugh Jan. 7 during a lunch with diocesan employees at St. John Center in Little Rock.

The building where Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald worked for 28 years before retiring in 2000 will be renamed The McDonald Center.

The announcement was made by Dennis Lee, chancellor for administrative affairs, Jan. 7 while Bishop McDonald was visiting Little Rock. Bishop McDonald said that he would humbly accept the honor.

The former Pastoral Center has been vacant for nearly 10 years on the St. John Center campus in Little Rock. In 2000 the building was abated of asbestos, but the diocese lacked enough funding to renovate it for its intended purpose -- offices for Catholic Charities of Arkansas. Since that time employees have been housed in the dorm rooms in Fletcher Hall.

In 2009 Bishop Anthony B. Taylor said funding from the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal would be used to renovate the building. Other funding for the $1.2 million renovation is being sought. Donations can be made to the Diocese of Little Rock for "The McDonald Center" at P.O. Box 7565, Little Rock, AR 72217-7565.

The McDonald Center is scheduled to be dedicated June 11, an important date in the bishop's life. It is the same day in 1972 that he was informed he would be the bishop of Little Rock and the day of his father's death in 1943.

Bishop Taylor said it was appropriate to name the building after the former bishop. In a letter to Bishop McDonald he wrote, "The building was the location of your office during all the years of your episcopacy. The first four bishops of the Diocese of Little Rock have a building named in their honor at St. John Center, and naming this building after you would continue that tradition. You were known in a special way for your support and growth of the ministries and services of Catholic Charities."

The naming of the building was suggested by Greg Wolfe, diocesan finance director, and approved by Bishop Taylor and the Presbyteral Council Nov. 12.

"This naming is intended as an additional expression of the lasting love and gratitude of the Diocese of Little Rock for Bishop McDonald's years of service as our shepherd," Wolfe said.