Reverend James Francis Butler

SOUTHERN PINES: Reverend James Francis Butler, 75, died Monday, March 7, 2016. He was born May 29, 1940 in Brooklyn, NY to the late James G. and Regina R. (Timmons) Butler. Father Butler was an alumnus of Saint Francis Uneersity, Loretto, PA, Saint Francis College, Brooklyn, NY and Fordham Uneersity, New York, NY. After discerning a vocation to the Priesthood, he entered seminary at Saint Boneenture Uneersity in Olean, NY and Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY for priestly formation. He was ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Raleigh on May 15, 1969 by the Most Reverend Vincent S. Waters at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Greensboro. In the Diocese of Raleigh, Father Butler served in the Missionary Apostolate at Saint Anneedenton; as Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish, Durham; Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Raleigh; Parochial Vicar Infant at Prague Parish, Jacksonville; Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Ahoskie; Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Clinton; Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rocky Mount; and Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Southern Pines. Father Butler retired from active priestly ministry on July 1, 2002 and had residence in Raleigh and then at Saint Joseph of the Pines in Southern Pines. Surviving are his siblings, Elaine A. Riley (late husband, Edward); Carol M. Serrao (late husband, Ricky); Sharon A. Butler-Leis; Thomas M. Butler (wife, Liana); Cynthia A. Butler-Fajardo (husband, Gabriel); 15 nieces and nephews, and 22 great nieces and nephews. The Reception of the Body and Vigil for the Deceased will begin at 6:30 pm Friday, March 11 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2718 Overbrook Dr., Raleigh, with the Reverend Monsignor David D. Brockman, V.G., presiding. Visitation with family and friends will follow until 8:30 pm. The Funeral Mass for Father Butler will be celebrated 10:00 am Saturday, March 12, 2016 from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, with the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Principal Celebrant and the Reverend Thomas R. Davis, Homilist. Burial will follow in the Bishops and priests section of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Cemetery, Newton Grove, NC. Gifts ineemory of Father Butler may be made to the building fund for the new Holy nee of Jesus Cathedral, payable to the Diocese of Raleigh, 7200 Stoneenge Dr. Raleigh, NC 27613.