R.I.P. Fr. John Arnone

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of a great friend, Fr. John Arnone from complications of recent heart surgery.

Over the past 25 years, we celebrated some very special events --- weddings, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fests, French Quarter Fests, birthdays, anniversaries, and more. I will always remember our many "friend" dinners which were weekly when J & I moved here in 2008.

I am happy to have these memories that I will cherish for the rest of my lifetime. He will be missed. Keep an eye on us from above, Fr. John {Jaaaawwwwn}.

From NOLA.com:

The Rev. John Arnone, a popular former pastor who taught at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, died Friday (May 5) from complications associated with heart surgery. He was 49.

Known as a "priest's priest," Arnone was well regarded for his open and unassuming approach to ministry, said the Rev. Jim Wehner, rector at Notre Dame Seminary.

"From our standpoint, Pope Francis has been challenging the Catholic Church to be very hands on and very accessible, and I think our Father Arnone personified what a priest is to be in the 21st century," said Wehner. 

Arnone was serving as the seminary's assistant director of pastoral formation, where he focused on teaching soon-to-be priests how to make the transition from school and spiritual training to the real world of running a parish. He was charged with mentoring 30 new seminarians through their spiritual educations, Wehner said.

A native of Algiers, Arnone served as pastor of St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Harahan for four years before joining the seminary's faculty in June. Before that he was pastor for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Violet and St. Bernard Catholic Church, said Sarah McDonald, communications director for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Condolences and well wishes for his family were pouring out over social media Saturday morning.

"Sometimes priest can seem to be on a pedestal, or seem too theological, too hierarchical. And people appreciate it when they can see the humanity," the Rev. Steven Bruno, the pastor at St. Rita who succeeded Arnone, said in an interview Saturday. "He was a good friend, in other words, to people, not just a priest."

Arnone died Friday evening. . 

"He was a true father and shepherd to the people in many parishes," Archbishop Gregory Aymond said on Facebook.

The obituary:

Rev. John Charles Arnone passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family, clergy, and friends on Friday, May 5, 2017 at the age of 49. He was the loving son of A. J. and Jean Arnone; "favorite" brother of Patricia Arnone Bruce (Marty), Marie T. Arnone (Mari Ann), and Chris J. Arnone (Jennifer); uncle of Katelyn, Carley, Emily, and Thomas Arnone, and Sam Bruce; great-uncle of Brody Arnone and Zoey Buisson; nephew of Patricia, Charles, Tommy (Faye) Thomas, Jeanne (Mickey) Tureaud, and Elizabeth Caldwell. He is also survived by numerous cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by Dearie and Granny. Fr. John was born and raised in New Orleans. He was a graduate of O. P. Walker, St. Ben's Seminary College, and Notre Dame Seminary. He served in various capacities at O.L.P.H. in Belle Chasse, St. Gabriel, St. Cletus, St. Benilde, Holy Name of Mary, St. Stephens, Our Lady of Lourdes in Violet, St. Bernard, St. Rita of Cascia, and Assistant Director of Pastoral Formation and Instructor of Pastoral Theology at Notre Dame Seminary. He was a member of The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, Knights of Columbus, served as spiritual director of T.E.C., and a spiritual advisor to all. He was also a member of the Krewe of Endymion and the Algiers Irish Rebels. Some of Fr. John's favorite pastimes are traveling, fine dining, festivals, the beach, and an occasional drop in by your house at dinner time. In the words of Fr. John, "Be happy and live life to the fullest." Relatives, friends, and religious are invited to attend a visitation in the Chapel of Notre Dame Seminary, 2901 So. Carrollton Ave. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The visitation will continue on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church, 7100 Jefferson Highway in Harahan. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 p.m. A private interment will follow at St. Louis Cemetery No. Three on Esplanade Ave. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to Notre Dame Seminary.

You will be missed my friend.

RIP Fr. John, y'all!