The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
Pastor. Pro-life advocate. Friend.
Bishop Andrew J. McDonald was all of these and more to the people of Arkansas. The articles here detail his remarkable life and dignified funeral.
Requiescat in pace.
SUBIACO — Of all the details decided leading up to the funeral of a dignitary, one element that has been crossed off the list for many years prior to the April 1 death of Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald was selection of the coffin.
Bishop McDonald handled that detail himself some 30 years ago.
“The bishop attended a funeral here, and he saw the coffin we had made for the monk,” said Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB. “This More... 
Catholic leaders who knew Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald were asked by Arkansas Catholic to reflect on their friendship and memories working with him as the bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock from 1972 to 2000.
“I’ve known Bishop McDonald for a long, long time. He was one of the first bishops I got to know personally, beginning back in the 1970s. The thing I want to say about him is this: More than anything More...
The fifth bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock, Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald, was hailed by brother priests as a man consumed with love for his faith, family and flock during services April 7-8. The funeral services, which included a rosary, all-night vigil and Mass, were held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in downtown Little Rock.
Bishop McDonald, who led the diocese from 1972 to 2000, died April 1 in Palatine, Ill. The diocese More...
PALATINE, Ill. — Chicago Cardinal Francis George, who had a friendship with the late Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald for 24 years, celebrated the funeral Mass before 150 people April 4 at St. Theresa Church.
Because St. Joseph Home for the Elderly was the late bishop’s residence for 12 years, a visitation, rosary and funeral were held to allow the residents and nuns he ministered to, as well as local residents, to celebrate his life.
From Little More...
Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald was laid to rest April 8 alongside other former bishops in a crypt at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock.
It’s a little-known feature of the Cathedral, set off into the northeast corner of the sanctuary. A small brass gate, resurrected from the long-gone Communion rail that was once a feature of the church, guards a staircase that leads to the well-lit, white marble-lined crypt.
Along one wall, eight individual More...
1923 to 1946: Savannah and Maryland
Oct. 24, 1923: Born in Savannah, Andrew Joseph McDonald was the 11th of 12 children.
1937: Entered St. Charles College in Cantonsville, Md., for high school and two years of college
June 11, 1943: His father, James McDonald, dies
1945: Entered St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore
1946 to 1972: Diocese of Savannah
May 8, 1948: Ordained a priest by Bishop Emmet Michael Walsh at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah
May 9, 1948: More...
For nearly three decades Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald served Arkansas as a bishop, but he became a friend to thousands of people who he ministered to, traveled with, laughed with and consoled.
He reached several major milestones as a Church leader: 65 years as a priest, 41 years as a bishop and 28 years as the bishop of Little Rock.
On April 1 he died at St. Joseph Home for the Elderly in Palatine, Ill. He More...
Bishop Emeritus Andrew J. McDonald, known throughout Arkansas as the bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock for 28 years, died April 1 at St. Joseph Home for the Elderly in Palatine, Ill. He was 90.
Bishop McDonald served the Catholic Church for 65 years. He was a priest for the Diocese of Savannah, Ga., from 1948 to 1972 and bishop of Little Rock from 1972 to 2000. After retirement, he began a new ministry in More...
The following articles were written about Bishop McDonald's recent anniversaries and retirement years.
2012 articles
Colleagues join retired bishop to celebrate: http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/3158/Colleagues-join-retired-bishop-to-celebrate
Bishop McDonald's ruby anniversary: http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/3149
Reflections on Bishop McDonald's impact on diocese: http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/3150
Moments mark Bishop McDonald's career: http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/3152
2011 articles
Celebrating 25th anniversary, bishop calls deacons 'bridge builders': http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/2776/Celebrating-25th-anniversary-bishop-calls-deacons-bridge-builders
Three bishops reflect on impact of Arkansas Catholic in state:http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/2750/Three-bishops-reflect-on-impact-of-Arkansas-Catholic-in-state-
2010 articles
Diocese names building for Bishop McDonald: http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/2203/Diocese-names-building-for-Bishop-McDonald
Building to be named for Bishop McDonald: http://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/2005/Building-to-be-named-for-Bishop-McDonald
2008 articles
Mass marks 60 years in the priesthood for More...
St. Paul says: How does the Bible define love?
6 steps to getting married in Diocese of Little Rock
Most frequently asked questions on Catholic marriage
St. Timothy winner recommends adoration to other teens