Father Stephen J. McNally
Bishop Barry C. Knestout and priests of the Diocese of Richmond will concelebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Father Stephen J. McNally at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at Our Lady of Nazareth, Roanoke. Father McNally, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 4.
Father McNally’s body will lie in repose from 2 until 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at Church of the Transfiguration, Fincastle, where a parish vigil service will be held at 7 p.m.
A native of the Bronx, New York, Father McNally was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Richmond on May 17, 1986. His first parish assignment was parochial vicar at Holy Spirit, Virginia Beach. In 1988, he was named parochial vicar of Church of the Epiphany, Richmond, until later that year when he served in the same role at St. Bede, Williamsburg, until 1991.
Father McNally’s first pastorate was at St. Paschal Baylon, South Boston, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Brookneal, 1991-1995. From 1995-2001, he was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Bonn, Germany, as the chaplain to the U.S. Mission while serving the St. Thomas More Catholic Community.
Upon his return to the diocese, Father McNally became pastor of Holy Name of Mary, Bedford, until 2009. That year he was named pastor of the Church of the Transfiguration, Fincastle, and St. John the Evangelist, New Castle. In February 2011, he was given pastoral oversight of St. Joseph, Clifton Forge, and Sacred Heart, Covington.
Father McNally served as national chaplain of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; chaplain of the Father Lynch Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, chaplain of Fincastle Fire Department, and chaplain of Roanoke Police Department, and formerly as one of the public safety chaplains of Bedford County.
He is survived by his sister, Jean (Sal) Macedonio of Stony Brook, New York; brothers Tim (Donna) McNally of Patchogue, New York, and Matthew (Lynn) McNally of Massapequa, New York, and sister-in-law, Mey McNally of Queens Village, New York. He is further survived by eight nieces and nephews and many loving friends.
Father McNally was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph L. and Ida Callegari McNally and by his brother, Terry.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Transfiguration Capital Building Fund, 7624 Roanoke Road, Fincastle, VA 24090, or to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 99 Second Street, New Castle, VA 24127.
Rader Funeral Home, Daleville