BORN: On December 23, 1937 in New York, NY.

PARENTS: John J. & Margaret (Looney) McDonnell, both now deceased.

FAMILY: One younger brother: Brother John J. McDonnell, F.M.S. (Marist Brothers).

EDUCATION: St. Anthony (Commonwealth Ave.) & Holy Cross Parish Schools, Bronx, NY.
Cathedral College, NY, NY (High School & Junior College).
St. Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY (College & Theology) — A.B. in Philosophy, 1959.
Iona College, New Rochelle, NY — M.S. in Education (Pastoral Counseling), 1970.

PRIESTLY ORDINATION: by Francis Cardinal Spellman for the Archdiocese of New York on June 1, 1963.

EPISCOPAL NOMINATION: as Auxiliary Bishop of New York and Titular Bishop of Semina by Pope John Paul II on October 30, 2001.

EPISCOPAL ORDINATION: by Edward Cardinal Egan, Bishop Henry J. Mansell and Bishop Robert A. Brucato on December 12, 2001.

APPOINTED BISHOP OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACUSETTS: by Pope John Paul II on March 9, 2004.

INSTALLED AS BISHOP OF SPRINGFIELD: by Archbishop Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap. l on April 1, 2004

RETIREMENT ACCEPTED AS BISHOP OF SPRINGFIELD: by Pope Francis on June 19, 2014.

PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENTS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK:

Regular: 1963 – Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Ardsley, NY.
1970 – Assistant Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Christian and Family Development. 1977 – Director of the Archdiocesan Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
1980 – Vice-Chancellor.
1984 – Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, New York, NY.
1990 – Chief Operating Officer of Archdiocesan Catholic Charities..
1993 – Pastor of Saint John and Saint Mary Parish, Chappaqua, NY.
2002 – Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York, 2002-2004.

Special: Faculty member of Maria Regina High School, Hartsdale, NY, 1963 – 1969.
Chaplain at Cardinal McCloskey School and Home, White Plains, NY, 1971 – 1977. Episcopal Vicar of West Manhattan, 1989 – 1990.
Deputy President and Deputy CEO of Covenant House, 1990.