Thomas McTague

Wake Service: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 6:30pm at the St. Josephs Catholic Church in Hysham

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11:00am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Forsyth.

Rite of Committal: All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio

The Rev. Father Thomas McTague passed to the Lord on April 27, 2008.

He is the beloved uncle of: Maureen and Roseleen McTague, Frances McTague Roth (James), Marion Lipinski (Stan), Kathleen Murray (William), Thomas Nugent, and Marie Murray (Michael).Rev. Father Thomas McTague was born in Templeport, Ballyconnell, County Cavan, Ireland on May 24, 1919 of Hugh and Bridget (Prior) McTague. He received his elementary education in Drumlohler and his secondary education in Aughiwillaugh schools. In 1937 he entered the novitiate of the Fathers of the Sacred Heart in Belgium as a lay brother.He was forced by the Nazi invasion to flee from Belgium. He escaped to France and served in the French underground. His book Father McTague: Memories of an Irish Priest was published in 2007. He made his perpetual vows on March 25, 1942.In 1946 Brother

Thomas obtained a dispensation from perpetual vows in order to study for the diocesan priesthood. He began training at St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After being adopted by the Diocese of Great Falls he did his theological studies at Regina Cleri Seminary Regina, Saskatchewan. He was ordained for the Diocese of Great Fall by the Most Rev. Walter Foery, Bishop of Syracuse in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse, New York on May 18, 1957. He was ordained in Syracuse so that his very proud brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews could attend the celebration.

Father McTagues first assignment was to St. Patricks Church in Billings. He faithfully served at St. Marys Church in Livingston, Our Lady of Lourdes in Great Falls, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Stockett and St. Francis Xavier in Circle. Father McTague lovingly served as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Forsyth, St. Joseph in Hysham and St. Isadore in Sumatra for twelve years. On July 22, 2007, Father McTague celebrated his 50th Jubilee in Billings. Loving family traveled from as far as Ireland to be with him. All his dear friends throughout Montana joined in the celebration. Although his nieces wanted Father to move East to be near them, Father McTague steadfastly refused wanting to live his life in Beautiful Montana Gods Country. Father McTagues family will be eternally grateful to the kind and loving people of Montana who have been his Angels on Earth.