Father Jonathan D. Parks

PARKS FR. JONATHAN PARKS, S.D.B. (1949-2010) Fr. Jonathan D. Parks, S.D.B., pastor of St. Rosalie Catholic Church in Harvey, La., since 2004, died on July 11 at West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, La., after a months-long illness. He was 60. Father Parks, the son of Charles and Elaine Weicks Parks, was born in New Orleans on Sept. 26, 1949, and raised in Gretna, La., where the family attended St. Joseph's Church. Father Parks was introduced to the Salesians when he attended Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, where he was in the second graduating class (1967). Strongly influenced by the Salesians who taught him, especially Father Paul Avallone, the school's first director and principal, he entered Don Bosco Seminary in Newton, N.J., where he professed his first vows as a Salesian on Aug. 15, 1969. Father Parks earned a Bachelor's degree from Don Bosco College in Newton in 1972 and was assigned as a teacher at Archbishop Shaw High School for two years; he taught U.S. history and religion. In 1974 he enrolled in the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, for theological studies. He earned a M.Div. and was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1978, in Columbus. After ordination he served young people and the Salesians as a teacher and school administrator in Cedar Lake, Ind. (1978-1979), Ramsey, N.J. (1979-1980 and 1988-1990), Tampa (1983-1988), Don Bosco Tech, Boston (1980-1983), and St. Dominic Savio High School, East Boston (1990-1993, 2001-2004). After earning a doctorate in educational administration/superintendency at Boston College in 1996, he was appointed superintendent of schools for the Salesians' Eastern U.S. Province in 1999 and served until 2004. Father Parks also was vocation director for the Salesians from 1983 to 1984 and 1993 to 1996, and associate pastor of St. Rosalie Church from 1996 to 2001. He was a frequent speaker at the National Catholic Education Association, and member of various boards including the National Religious Vocation Conference, and Cafe Hope in Marrero, La. He was a member of the presbyteral council of the archdiocese of New Orleans and a consultant to the Office of Education of the archdiocese. Former Salesian provincial Father James Heuser said of Father Parks: "The West Bank of New Orleans gave us a gift in Father Jonathan, with his strong sense of family and friendship, and an effusive and joyful Southern style. It blended well with the warm relational approach advocated by Don Bosco. In these last years he returned to the West Bank and was a gift to them, enriching so many who struggled through hard times with his priestly zeal and simple devotional faith. Greatly loved by many, he will be greatly missed." Mary Wenzel, Principal of St. Rosalie School, recalls Fr. Jon once said so eloquently at a funeral mass, "Let us all remember,…. his life has only changed, not ended." He has now obtained the reward of eternal happiness with God, which he lived and preached in his ministry every day. I ask you to please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Jon Parks, for his family, and for the St. Rosalie School and Parish communities." Fr. Jon current assignment was as Pastor to the parishioners of St. Rosalie in Harvey LA. Although he cherished the education challenges of his chosen vocation, congregation was his life. Significant were the children, they brought him special joy. He even remarked that when it was his time to depart this earth, that it would be children who would lead him to the gates of heaven. It was Fr. Jon's unique gift of mixing humor and life experiences that endeared him to all who were lucky to enjoy his friendship and fellowship. He was always ready with a clever or witty remark for the occasion or a word of encouragement. (or maybe even a song or two, Sponge Bob Square Pants maybe) Father Parks is survived by his twin brother Joseph Anthony Parks of Pineville, La., his younger brother Kenneth (Iona) of Virginia Beach, Va., and his sister Christine (Raymond) Fleming of Gretna; nephews Conor Parks and Kevin (Amy) Marmillion and niece Janet Lambert; and grandnephew Kenneth Lambert Jr. Public wake services for Fr Jon will be held from 8:00 AM -11:00 AM at the Alario Center, 2000 Segnette Boulevard, Westwego, LA 70094 on Wednesday, July 14, 2010. Mass will be held at the same location following the wake. Fr. Jon will be interned in a private ceremony next to his mother, Elaine, in Gretna, La. In lieu of flowers, Fr. Jon requests donations be made to the Joseph A. Parks Scholarship Fund (First National Bank and Trust, 2316 Manhattan Blvd, Harvey, LA 70058. ACCT: 2112895). MOTHE FUNERAL HOMES, LLC in charge of arrangements. For further funeral information or directions, please call Mothe Funeral Home at 504.366.4343. Family and friends may view and sign the online guestbook at www.nola.com/obituaries/t-p.