Memory Eternal

Catholic University Laments Passing of Alumnus Ed McMahon

Washington D.C., Jun 24, 2009 (CNA).- Following the death of entertainer Ed McMahon on Tuesday, Catholic University of America has issued a statement praising his “long and distinguished career” and his service to the university as a “most renowned” alumnus.

McMahon was most famous as the announcer and sidekick for Johnny Carson, host of “The Tonight Show.” He earned his bachelor’s degree in drama from Catholic University in 1949 as a World War II veteran studying under the GI Bill.

University President Msgr. David M. O’Connell said the university was “greatly saddened” by the death of McMahon, describing him as one of the school’s “most renowned alumni.”

“He took such great pride in his alma mater and rarely missed an opportunity to speak positively about his time here in various interviews and books.”

McMahon studied under Fr. Gilbert Hartke, O.P., who created the drama department at CUA. The entertainer would later lead the effort to build a theatre on campus in Fr. Hartke’s name.

“Ed was devoted to CUA's legendary Father Hartke only to follow in his footsteps to legend status. ‘I owe so much to CU,’ McMahon told me at Bob Hope's funeral a few years ago,” Father O’Connell continued. “‘That's where my career got its start.’”

McMahon was active in the CUA Alumni Association and was its national president from 1967 to 1971. In fall of 1970, he and actors Helen Hayes and Sidney Poitier attended the dedication of Hartke Theatre. In the spring 1985, which was Hartke's Jubilee, McMahon announced the establishment of the Ed McMahon Scholarship Endowment to assist CUA undergraduates aspiring to careers in broadcasting.

In April 1987, McMahon joined comedian Bob Newhart in a performance at the university’s centennial celebration. He received an honorary Doctor of Communication Arts degree from CUA in 1988.

Marion Gosney, director of alumni relations, said his celebrity status added excitement to alumni events, especially Homecoming.

“Ed helped strengthen the Alumni Association because of his big personality,” Gosney said. “He brought people together and was a loyal alumnus. He will certainly be missed.”

“The university is saddened by the loss of yet another great alumnus whose long and distinguished career bears witness to what he learned here,” Msgr. O’Connell added. “May Ed now know the peace of the Lord forever as he joins so many of his beloved CUA friends who have gone before him.”
http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=96269

Farrah Fawcett dies after receiving last rites


The late Farrah Fawcett

Los Angeles, Calif., Jun 25, 2009 / 02:27 pm (CNA).- Farrah Fawcett, a star of the television classic “Charlie’s Angels,” succumbed to cancer on Thursday after receiving last rites.

On Wednesday night a priest had been summoned to the Los Angeles hospital where the 62-year-old Fawcett was being treated for anal cancer, the New York Daily News says. Her struggle with the illness was chronicled in an NBC documentary.

The New York Daily News described Fawcett as a “devout Catholic.”

She and her longtime fiancé Ryan O’Neal had agreed to marry.

"Farrah is fighting for her life. But we will wed as soon as she can say yes,” Neal told Barbara Walters in a “20/20” interview before Fawcett’s death. “Maybe we can just nod her head.”

The two have a 24-year-old son, Redmond O’Neal.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16380

I can vouche for Fawcett's being a good Catholic. During the late 70's Fawcett (a Corpus Christi native) would vacation on South Padre Island and would attend St. Luke's in nearby Brownsville, TX.

It is a shame they didn't finally get married, but it sounds like it would have been a civil ceremony anyway....

Sad to say she was one of the first celebrities to start the trend of living like a married person with a family without the blessing of the church or state. I remember hearing that the rationale is that marriage might doom the relationship. I am sure that when one has such great fortunes, the legal wrangling, if the marriage does fail, is also a fear.

In any case, it seems that she did love God and her faith and that, in a world where too many don't even accept there is a God in any context, is a very, very good thing..I am not judging.

In an era of vast indifference and antagonism to religion in general and Christianity in particular in the media, it was good to hear them report that she had been administered the last rites...a good example and testament to the Church and its sacraments and relevance at the hour of death.

Anyway....she seemed like a nice and sensitive person and I bow to the dignity and courage she had throughout the suffering and the battle she fought during her illness.

May our Lord have mercy on the soul of Farrah, and forgive her all her sins, 'for no man lives and sinneth not'.

I also pray for her son. There is nothing worse for a caring parent to see their adult child have troubles, and I can't imagine having to deal with such an illness and to also have the worries she had for her son...I pray to God that her son Redmond will be able to get his life together for the sake of his beloved mother's memory.

In Christ,
Alice

I don't see how she could have married in the Church; I'm sure that the media would have picked up any annulment . . .

hawk

Does anyone know if any of Ed McMahon's three weddings were in church?

May the Lord have mercy on both Ed and Ferrah may he let his Light shine upon them and may they rest in peace.

Amen to the above..and I also pray for Ryan O'Neal..

Lord, have mercy!