Rev. James Hall

The Reverend James Hall, MSC The Reverend James Hall, MSC, a member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, passed away on Monday, June 26 in his home at the Aurora Community of the MSC. He was born in Painsville, OH, on August 9, 1936 to Cecil and Flora Hall, now both deceased. He became deaf from spinal meningitis at the age of 9. He received his elementary education at the Howland School in Warren, OH, St. Steven's in Niles, OH, the Bennett School in Youngstown, OH, and St. Mary's in Warren, OH. He continued his education at Princeton Junior High School in Youngstown and St. Rita's High School for the Deaf in Cincinnati, OH, graduating from high school in 1955. He received college education at Youngstown State University from 1957-1960. He entered the novitiate of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart at the MSC Center in Shelby, OH in 1972. He made temporary profession of vows in 1973 and perpetual vows in 1976 as a Religious Brother, From 1974-76, he continued his college education through correspondence with the University of Utah. In 1978, he was transferred to the Sacred Heart Retreat and Renewal House in Youngstown, OH. From 1980-83, he studied at Gallaudet College in Washington, DC, where he received the degree of B.A. in Psychology (with distinction). On June 14, 1998 Jim was ordained Deacon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Hammond, IN. As a Deacon he worked at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Merrillville, IN for a year while continuing his studies for the priesthood. In June of 1999 he moved to Aurora to do part-time work in the ministry to the deaf in the Archdiocese of Chicago. At the age of 64, Fr. Jim was ordained a priest on June 9th, 2001 by Most Rev. Thomas G. Doran, bishop of the Rockford Diocese at St. Therese of Jesus in Aurora, IL, becoming the 7th deaf person to be ordained in the U.S.A. Fr. Jim's first assignment, in 1973, was as project coordinator of the gymnasium at Shelby. He was also engaged in maintenance and as librarian at the Shelby MSC Center. In 1986-1998 his ministry among the deaf was in the Gary Diocese, where he was responsible for this work in four counties of Indiana. He resided at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Rectory in Hammond, IN. Since coming to Aurora, Fr. Jim had been working in four dioceses in Catholic Deaf Ministry, including the Diocese of Rockford, the Diocese of Joliet and the Archdiocese of Chicago in Illinois and the Diocese of Gary in Indiana. He was also involved in giving occasional retreats around the country. Becoming a priest was a great joy for Fr. Jim, allowing him to reach out and touch the lives of other Deaf in a special way through his ministry, bringing the word of God into their lives and helping them to live His word. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother John Hall. Fr. Jim is survived by one sister, Joan Hall of Niles, OH and sister-in-law, Alice Hall (wife of his brother John Hall) of Niles, OH, and many nieces and nephews. Fr. Jim will lie in state at St. Therese of Jesus Parish, 271 N. Farnsworth Ave, Aurora, IL on Thursday, June 29, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Therese of Jesus on Friday morning, June 30, at 11:00 a.m. presided by Fr. Joseph Jablonski, MSC, Provincial Superior. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 278 Ashland Ave, Aurora, IL. Memorial contributions made to Missionaries of the Sacred Heart would be appreciated; 218 Gale Street, Aurora, IL 60506. Arrangements were handled by THE DALEDIEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL. 60506. www.daleidenmortuary.com (630) 631-5500