Rev. Donald P. McNeill, C.S.C.

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Rev. Donald P. McNeill, C.S.C., 81, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. on August 24, 2017.

He was born on April 14, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Donald T. and Katherine (Bennett) McNeill. He attended Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Elementary School in Winnetka, IL, and New Trier High School. He graduated from High School in 1954 and received a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1958.

After graduation, both Fr. McNeill and his brother, Tom, delayed their military commitments and studied in Vienna after visiting many European countries. After serving most of his commitment in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant, he felt the call to explore a possible vocation, and was received into the Congregation of Holy Cross on Sept. 22, 1959. He made his First Profession of Vows on Sept. 23, 1960. 

 He was then assigned to Rome for his theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University during the Second Vatican Council. He professed his Final Vows on October 10, 1964 and was ordained a Holy Cross Priest in Rome on Dec. 18, 1965.

Fr. McNeill returned to Notre Dame in 1966 and had the privilege of taking a course in Pastoral Theology taught by Fr. Henri Nouwen, which was offered to Holy Cross Religious. Before the end of that year, he was encouraged by Fr. Nouwen and Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C. who was then President of Notre Dame to study for a doctorate at Princeton Theological Seminary in Pastoral Theology. This educational experience provided him with a continuing commitment to experiential and interdisciplinary learning from a faith perspective at the University of Notre Dame in the Department of Theology. He was also encouraged to explore Holy Cross international collaboration and challenges in Latin America and Africa. In 1983 he established Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns and served as its Executive Director until 2002.  He then served at Notre Dame High School in Niles, IL from 2002-2003, as well as serving with the Brothers of Holy Cross in San Antonio, TX. Fr. McNeill moved to Holy Cross House in 2012. Preceding him in death are his parents, Donald and Katherine McNeill, and his aunt, Agnes McNeill Donohue. He is survived by brothers Thomas (Ingrid) McNeill and Robert (Martha) McNeill, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, IN, where there will be a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be in the community cemetery at Notre Dame, and a reception hosted by The Center for Social Concerns will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Remick Commons on the campus of Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at donate.holycrossusa.org.