Brother James J. Phelan, Cfp

Brother James Phelan, a Brother of the Poor of St. Francis since 1963, died on March 30 at Carmel Manor, Fort Thomas, KY at the age of 80. Brother James was a teacher and principal, child care worker, pastoral minister to the elderly, and  served as Provincial and Superior General of the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis. He was a spiritual assistant with the Little Portion Secular Franciscan Fraternity in Covington, KY. Brother James most recently ministered at Carmel Manor Retirement Community. Prior to entering religious life, he served in the US Army. A native of Waterbury, CT, Brother  James is survived by his Franciscan Brothers, his sisters Sharon Strileckis and Mary Ann LaPorta both of Connecticut, and various nieces and nephews. He was preceeded in death by his parents Dennis and Margaret Phelan, his sister Margaret Deziel and brother Dennis Phelan, Jr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Carmel Manor's Chapel in Fort Thomas on Thursday, April 5 at 12 noon.  Visitation will precede the funeral Mass beginning at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis, P.O. Box 30359, Cincinnati, OH 45230.