Obituary of Rev. James Wahl

Wahl, Reverend Father James, CR

The Congregation of the Resurrection announces the death of Father James Albert Wahl, CR on February 26, 2018, of Lanark Heights Long Term Care, Kitchener.  He was 78 years old, in his 60^th year of religious life and 52nd year of ordained priesthood.

Father Wahl is predeceased by his parents Edgar and Mary (nee Vogel) Wahl and a brother David. He is survived and lovingly remembered by his brother John (Doreen), nieces and nephews and many friends. 

Fr. Jim professed his religious vows in the Congregation on September 8, 1958 in Dundas, ON and was ordained to the ministerial priesthood on March 26, 1966 in St. Louis, MO. He studied Theology at St. John Cantius Seminary, St. Louis, MO and achieved a Master of Arts, a PhD degree in Medieval History from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO as well as completing a B.A. in Honours Philosophy at the University of Waterloo.

Fr. Jim began his ministry as a Lecturer in the History Department of St. Jerome’s College in 1967 and later became Chairman of the department.  In 1968 he was named Assistant Dean and became Dean in 1970.  Fr. Wahl became an Associate Professor in 1973.  From 1978 to 1981 Fr. Jim served in the Diocese of Hamilton Bermuda as Associate Pastor of St. Theresa’s Cathedral, and as Vicar Judicial.  He returned to St. Jerome’s in 1981 and continued teaching full time until 2006. Fr. Jim continued teaching part time until 2012. Fr. Jim moved to Resurrection Manor, Waterloo in 2007.

Fr. Jim loved teaching and the world of academia. He was committed to the meeting of intellectual and spiritual values. His ministry touched the lives of his students, parishioners, family and friends. Fr. Jim served as the Congregation’s archivist. Besides his distinguished teaching career, Fr. Wahl was a prolific writer and co-author of several books on the history of the Congregation, the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Bermuda, the history of St. Jerome’s University, along with translating a number of letters from Fr. Eugene Funcken, C.R. His last book was entitled “Called To Resurrection”, a biography of Resurrectionists.

We wish to express our gratitude to Lanark Nursing Home staff and the medical staff for the compassionate care they provided to Fr. Wahl.

Visitation of Father Wahl will take place at Resurrection College, 265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo on Friday, March 2^nd from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.  A Vigil Prayer Service will be held at 3:30 P.M. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish, 66 Shanley Street, Kitchener at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 3^rd. Interment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener.  Reception to follow at Sacred Heart Parish Hall.

Donations in Fr. Wahl’s honour may be made to The Resurrectionist Missions and forwarded to Congregation of the Resurrection, 265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G7 or on our website www.resurrectionists.ca or arranged through Erb & Good Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, ON N2J 1P7 519-745-8445 www.erbgood.com