Director Deacon Leo Donoghue

Deacon Leo Donoghue, Director of the Office

Deacon Leo Donoghue '92 was appointed director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese of Boston, July 1, 1996. Previously director of Catholic Charities/Greater Boston, he serves as a deacon at St. John Parish, East Bridgewater. Fifty years old, he is a native of Sacred Heart Parish in Weymouth. He married Edna Legan in 1973 at St. Thomas Parish in Bridgewater. An alumnus of Weymouth High School and Bridgewater State College, he received a Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College in 1986.

His wife Edna is an alumnus of Cardinal Spellman High School and Stonehill College and she received a Master's Degree in religious education and pastoral ministry from Emmanuel College. Currently Edna is director of religious education at St. John's East Bridgewater. Leo and Edna have one teenaged daughter, Mary Frances.

This marks the first time a deacon has served as director of the office in the Boston archdiocese. Rev. William C. Buckhart served as the original director. Rev. Thomas C. Foley served as director from 1979 to 1986. Rev. Frank Silva served as director from 1986 until 1994. When Rev. Richard J. Butler was appointed director in 1994, the plan was announced to have a deacon serve as director. In March of 1996, Father Butler was appointed pastor of St. Timothy's Parish in Norwood.