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Fr. J. David Maher, retired priest of the diocese, to be laid to rest near family in Slater
Father David Maher wore his cross from Madonna House on his heart.
It symbolized that he had emptied himself, renounced all attachment to earthly possessions and learned to live and pray like the poor people of that secluded Catholic community in Ontario, Canada.
“I have to go out like the Prophet Jeremiah, and say, ‘The Lord has been good to me. I’ll be good to you,’” Fr. Maher stated in 2015, shortly after visiting the Madonna House community.
“I’m not a saint,” he would tell friends who tried to puff him up. “God has some work left to do on me.”
Fr. Maher, 74, a retired priest of the Jefferson City diocese, who had ministered in Marshall, Hannibal, Canton, LaGrange, Kirksville, Taos, Jefferson City and California, died on Nov. 10 in Westphalia.
The concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was to be offered at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City, with Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos presiding and Father John Groner preaching the homily.
Visitation with a Rosary service was to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 in St. Joseph Church in Slater. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, in St. Joseph Church.
Burial will be near his parents in the Slater City Cemetery.
-Catholic Missourian