MCLAUGHLIN, JAMES J. (1869-1954)

MCLAUGHLIN, JAMES J., Catholic parish priest, Newcastle, 1928-54; b. New York City, 4 Oct 1869, s/o Patrick McLaughlin and Bridget Flood, both formerly of Chatham; ordained 1897; d. Chatham, 11 Nov 1954.

James J. McLaughlin was brought to Chatham at age seven, following his mother's death. He was educated there and in Van Buren, Me, and was trained for the priesthood at the Grand Seminary in Montreal. He had a series of short assignments at Bathurst, Jacquet River, Chatham (the cathedral office), and Charlo, and was then appointed parish priest at Richibucto. Twenty-three years later, in 1928, he was transferred to Newcastle, as successor to the veteran priest of St Mary's, Father Patrick W. Dixon.

The North Shore Leader described McLaughlin as "a man of sterling character and eminent worth" and as a "saintly and zealous pastor." In 1929 he was appointed a vicar forane by Bishop Patrice A. Chiasson, and in 1943 Pope Pius XII made him a domestic prelate, with the title of "Monsignor." St Thomas College conferred an honorary PhD on him in 1950, and he later sat on the college's board of governors.

McLaughlin was succeeded as priest of St Mary's by Father Raymond M. Hickey, the popular chaplain of the North Shore Regiment in World War II and author of the book, The Scarlet Dawn.