The Little Flower
Joe McEntee Religious Education Fund
by Joellen McDonald  

In 1973, the Little Flower Joe McEntee Religious Vocation Scholarship Fund was established. The dedication in the front of a commemorative booklet published to honor Joe states:

“ This day – December 8, 1973 – has been declared “Joe McEntee Day” in Little Flower Parish. Joe’s fellow parishioners, his relatives and all his friends choose this day to honor him Ñ to publicly pay tribute to a man whose humility, compassion, and concern for others has by these Christ-like virtues set an example, which has made everyone who knows Joe a little better as a person.

“ As a lasting tribute to Joe, a scholarship fund is being established in his name and in the name of his favorite saint – The Little Flower.

“ So it is with sincere appreciation that we honor Joe. Thank you Joe, a heartfelt thank you Joe for being who you are. We love you.”

His scholarship fund continues to be used to underwrite some of the religious education expenses of parishioners who seek “... an education for the priesthood, convent, brotherhood, or other vocations in Catholic Religious Life,” and has been expanded to provide funds for teachers to complete their Pius IV course work.

Who was Joe McEntee? Joe moved to Little Flower Parish with his mother, Julia Donovan McEntee, and eight siblings following the death in 1941 of his father, Thomas Joseph McEntee. Joe graduated from Little Flower School in 1945 and McBride High School four years later. During his high school years, he spent a great deal of his time assisting John Clarke, the parish custodian. Mr. Clark died in 1951 and, despite the fact that Joe was employed as a plumber’s assistant, he spent much of his free time at Little Flower doing repairs. In 1957, he began full-time service to Little Flower at the request of pastor, Monsignor Joseph A. Tammany.

Joe generously fostered the religious vocations of his younger brother, Jack, and his younger sister, Pat (Sister Julia Anne, S.L.). Thus, the religious vocation scholarship fund was an especially appropriate way to commemorate this man.

During his years working for the parish, Joe’s interest and love for the people (especially our children) was expressed in numerous big and little ways and went well beyond maintaining the physical plant. He attended almost every parish event. He officially set up the Christmas nativity scene in church each year, a true labor of love for him. He was Santa and St. Nicholas. He often gave special Christmas treats to each of the schoolchildren. He drove parishioners to church when they could not walk to Mass. He was a veritable treasure trove of local and parish history, including information about generations of families who lived here. Many of the parish theatrical productions would not have been complete without Joe taking a part. And there is so much more. People who lived in the parish during the years Joe was our custodian would be hard-pressed to remember almost anything about Little Flower that did not include Joe McEntee. Joe died within a week of our 75th Anniversary Mass and, although he is no longer among us, we are grateful for his years of friendship, service, and love of the parish and the people.