The Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary (PCM), Order of Carmelites, mourns the passing of the Reverend John Joseph Coleman, O. Carm., who died at the age of 68 on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.
A Memorial Mass for Reverend Coleman will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019, at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Lourdes church, 18405 Superior Street, Northridge, CA 91325.
Reception to follow at school hall immediately after Mass. A vigil open to the public will be held at the church on Monday, April 22nd from 2:00 to 7:00 PM, with the Vigil Service from 7:00 to 8:00PM.
A native of southwest Los Angeles, California, John was born to (the late) John J. Coleman and (the late) Emma (Perez) Coleman at Queen of Angels Hospital on February 22, 1951. He is survived by his brother, Timothy, and his sisters, Maureen, Kathleen and Maurya, as well as nephew Christopher Bradshaw; nieces Samantha & Vanessa Bradshaw, Lauren and Melissa Coleman; sisters-in-law Gina Coleman & Brenda Knepper, and brothers-in-law John Bradshaw and Fred Dobbs. A doting family member and hilarious, artful storyteller, he will be greatly missed, and always cherished.
John’s early education was tended to by Adrian Dominican nuns and Carmelite priests at St. Raphael’s Grammar school. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1969. In 1970 he entered the Carmelite novitiate in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and professed simple vows on August 20, 1971. He continued his studies at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and received a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts in 1975. He studied theology at Washington Theological Union in Washington, DC from 1975 to 1978 and professed solemn vows with the Carmelites on April 18, 1976. He was ordained a Carmelite priest on May 20, 1978 at St. Jane Frances de Chantal in North Hollywood, California. His first Mass was celebrated at his childhood church, St. Raphael’s, southwest L.A.
Father John’s first assignment was as teacher at DeSales High School in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1978 to 1985. He often incorporated lyrics from popular songs of the day into his lessons, which resonated extremely well with his students. One of them recalled that, “Fr. Coleman always had a copy of the Billboard Hot 100 pinned onto the bulletin board next to his desk.” This was a parlay of Fr. John’s lifelong interest in music and his work as a teenaged journalist interviewing rock bands and singers for popular music publications. He also taught high school religion for one year at Salpointe Catholic High School, Tucson, Arizona. Many of his students remained in contact with Rev. Coleman throughout his life.
In 1987 he was appointed Provincial Vocation Director at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, D.C., serving for five years. During this time he also attended the National School of Social Services at Catholic University and interned with NETWORK, a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace, who educate, organize and lobby for economic and social transformation. Upon graduation with his Masters in 1992, he returned to Los Angeles and began private practice in counseling, eventually earning his clinical social worker license (L.C.S.W.).
Living in the Crespi Priory in Encino, California, he counseled many, many people as well as working for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Peritus for Marriage Tribunal, Vicar for Clergy Office, until close to the time of his death.
Besides his family, friends and parishioners (who grew to be his friends), his great loves were helping others, guiding them to love themselves and be the best “them” possible, and all the arts, especially music, theater, and writing.
May he rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of the Reverend John J. Coleman, O.
Carm., to: the Society of Mount Carmel, 1317 North Frontage Road, Darien, Illinois, 60561 and
to the Religious Education Fund of Our Lady of Lourdes parish, 18405 Superior Street,
Northridge, CA 91325.
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