Msgr. Thomas Columba "Colm" McLaughlin

In 1945, he entered St. Columb’s College, in Derry – a combination of high school and minor seminary. He was a boarder there for five years. In 1950, he joined St. John College in Waterford, a major seminary. He studied philosophy and theology there for six years and was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1956. In September of 1956 he began his ministry in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. After a brief assignment in Schulenburg, he was appointed an associate pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in San Antonio and an Advocate on the Archdiocesan Tribunal. After eight years at St. Cecilia’s, he was transferred to Holy Name Parish in San Antonio, where he served as an associate pastor for five years, until he was appointed Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education. In 1979, he was named a Prelate of Honor, with the title of Monsignor.

After serving as Director of Religious Education for more than 12 years, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Hallettsville in 1981. Serving for only four months, he was transferred to Victoria in 1982 to prepare for the new Diocese of Victoria. He was named Judicial Vicar and Chancellor for the Diocese of Victoria in 1982 and Vicar General in 1990. In addition to his diocesan appointments, he served at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Victoria for five years. Since retiring in 2012, he was in residence at Padua Place in San Antonio.

Monsignor McLaughlin was known for his engaging teaching ability, knowledge of the Catholic faith, keen administrative skills, devotion to the priesthood, as well as for his storytelling and quick wittedness.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers and sisters. He is survived by nieces and nephews and extended family in Ireland and England.

A Vigil Service and rosary will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Rosewood Funeral Chapel in Victoria. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Thursday, April 20 in Victoria at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Brendan Cahill officiating and Bishop-Emeritus David Fellhauer, and priests of the Diocese of Victoria and visiting clergy, concelebrating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Victoria.

Memorials may be made to The Emmaus Center of the Diocese of Victoria or the Monsignor McLaughlin Seminary Burse, P. O. Box 4070, Victoria, Texas, 77903.