Msgr. Robert "Bob" Maher

Msgr. Robert E. Maher
Nov. 9, 1944 – Feb. 29, 2012

Msgr. Robert E. Maher, Vicar General of the Diocese of Brownsville and longtime pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Edinburg, died on Feb. 29, 2012 at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. He was 67.


Msgr. Maher also hosted and produced two television programs, “Nuestro Pueblo” and “Church Alive,” which aired on KMBH-TV beginning in 1991 and was a regular columnist for The Valley Catholic, the newspaper of the Diocese of Brownsville.

Msgr. Maher, who was born on Nov. 9, 1944, was ordained a priest for service in the Diocese of Brownsville by Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick at St. Paul Church in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y. on June 11, 1971.

“Divine providence” and a call to serve an area with an urgent need for priests brought him to the Rio Grande Valley, Msgr. Maher said in a 2010 interview with The Valley Catholic.

"I did some research and compiled a list of the 10 dioceses in the United States that needed priests the most," Msgr. Maher said. "Brownsville was very high on that list."

Msgr. Maher displayed a deep dedication to his ministry, often beginning his days hours before sunrise. He was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish and School on Nov. 16, 1995 where he supported and encouraged a number of outreach ministries.

In his more than 40 years of priestly ministry, Msgr. Maher served at many parishes in the Valley, including St. Anthony Church in Harlingen, St. Margaret Mary Church in Pharr, San Martin de Porres Church in Alton, Our Lady of Mercy Church in Mercedes, Holy Spirit Church in McAllen, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Mission, St. John of the Fields Church in Mission and Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen.

Msgr. Maher also served as the Director of the Office of Worship and as Director of the Office of Pastoral Enrichment and Continuing Education for the diocese.

He was appointed Vicar General by Bishop Raymundo J. Peña on April 15, 2002 and served on numerous boards and committees, including RGV Educational Broadcasting, Inc., the College of Consultors and the Priest Personnel Board.
On Sept. 23, 2005, Pope John Paul II named him a Prelate of Honor, giving him the title of Monsignor.

Msgr. Maher also loved animals, caring for many stray cats in his neighborhood. He also kept several birds as pets for a time.

A gifted writer, Msgr. Maher was the editor of Catholic Ministry Newsletter for more than 20 years and wrote a monthly column for The Valley Catholic. He also served as a spiritual advisor for the staff.

Msgr. Maher enjoyed music and was adept at the banjo, the guitar and the flute.

Before entering the priesthood, he paid his way through college working in a steel mill. He completed his undergraduate studies and graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo. He also served in the Marine Corps. for two years.

Msgr. Maher was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marie Patricia K. Maher and a sister, Maureen. He is survived by two brothers, Richard and Christopher, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 1108 W. Hackberry Ave. in McAllen with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 2012 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2318 E. Schunior Rd. in Edinburg. Pallbearers will be Rev. Jerry Frank, Rev. Alfonso Guevara, Msgr. Bert Diaz, Rev. Edouard Atangana, Rev. Jorge Gomez and Rev. Tom Luczak.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Msgr. Maher’s memory to the Priests Retirement Home, 1910 University Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78520.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.