Joe Feuerherd shaped minds, touched hearts

(Update: Latest funeral notes, including directions to funeral Mass below.)

The NCR staff has received a number of tributes to Joe Feuerherd, NCR Publisher and Editor-in-Chief following his death Thursday. The following are just a few:

Annette Lomont, NCR Board chair

I loved working with Joe. He was competent, creative, fun, and very proud of NCR. In an email to me at the end of April, he wrote, “The print edition of NCR over the past several issues has been as good as anything we've ever put out.

It is truly outstanding, covering a range and depth of issues of which anyone of whatever political/theological stripe must be familiar with in order to call him or herself an informed Catholic. Likewise, the Web site continues to be a ‘must stop’ for informed Catholics. Our print/web combination is quite formidable. Sure, there are challenges and issues and the like, but you know that we're associated with something extraordinary. I, for one, am counting on some time off in Purgatory for this good work. You should be proud. I know that I am.” I am proud of NCR and very proud of Joe and all that he accomplished as our Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. NCR has lost a great leader and champion. Joe will be sorely missed.

Pat Waide, former NCR Board chair
Joe always told me that being the Publisher of NCR was the best job he could ever want or have. And, in carrying out that responsibility, he gave outstanding leadership to the company with his high energy level, his marketing know-how, his courage to initiate prudent fiscal decisions, and his deep understanding of and commitment to NCR. He wanted the publication to be the foremost objective reporter on the church, and its interface with the secular world on social justice matters. He made the NCR office an exciting place in which to work and generated enthusiasm for the success of NCR's mission.

Thomas Patrick Melady
Senior Diplomat in Residence, The Institute of World Politics
Former U.S. Ambassador to Burundi, Uganda and the Holy See
I extend my warmest condolences and sympathies to the family of Joe and his longtime associates and friends at the National Catholic Reporter. I first met Joe in interesting circumstances while serving as the ambassador for the United States to the Holy See during the tenure of George H.W. Bush. He came to see me and we had an interesting exchange. When I returned to private life in Washington I wanted to do an article for the NCR. I knew from previous discussions that our points of view on some matters might vary. I was a lifelong Republican and had served three republican presidents. Joe invited me to submit some articles, which I continued to do.

When I came to my office today, I was frankly overwhelmed to receive the note of his passing. I knew from my conversations with him that his health was not the best. I write mainly to say that the family has lost a husband, a father, and a brother. I have lost a friend who was just, honest, and decent. I will not forget him and I will pray for his happy repose.

Barbara Blaine
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Such a tragedy. Joe was so kind and compassionate to me
and survivors whenever we got the chance to speak with him. I am
certain you all will miss him, but want you to know that we, in the
survivor community, will too! Know this is a painful time for you -
just want you to know you all are in my thoughts and prayers!!
I wish you strength and consolation!

Patrick Whelan
President, Catholic Democrats
NCR Board member
For such a young guy Joe has had such a far-reaching impact on so many people, indeed on Catholicism in America, and certainly very profoundly on me. He had that sparkle and smile with each new idea that pleased him, and the passion to see them through from conception to reality -- all very much in the interest of the common good.

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Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD (Valet Parking) on Tuesday May 31, 2011 from 7-9 pm.

Mass of Christian Burial at the Theological College, 401 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 11 am.

There is limited parking at the Theological College. Parking will be available at the National Shrine. Directions to the Theological College and to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception are as follows: (Corner of Harewood Road, NE & 400 Michigan Avenues, NE Washington DC 20017 – Across from the National Shrine).

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is located at 400 Michigan Avenue in Northeast Washington. Adjacent to the campus of The Catholic University of America, it is minutes from the Capital Beltway (Interstates 95 & 495) and downtown Washington. Ample free parking is available.

From the North
Travel I-95S towards Washington and take the I-495W (Capital Beltway) exit (27-25) towards US-1 (College Park/Silver Spring). Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Merge onto I-495W for one mile. Take the MD-650S (New Hampshire Avenue) exit (28B), towards Takoma Park. Follow MD-650 4.6 miles into the District of Columbia. Turn left onto North Capitol Street. Travel 1.9 miles and merge right onto Irving Street. Follow it 0.3 mile and turn left onto Michigan Avenue and then an immediate left on to Harewood Ave. The parking lot is on the left.

-or-

Travel I-270S to I-495E (Capital Beltway). Travel I-495 5.8 miles and take exit 29B onto MD-193E (University Boulevard) towards Langley Park. Follow MD-193E 1.9 miles to MD-650S (New Hampshire Avenue). Take MD-650S 1.3 miles into the District of Columbia. Turn left onto North Capitol Street. Travel 1.9 miles and merge right onto Irving Street East. Follow it 0.3 mile and turn left onto Michigan Avenue and then an immediate left on to Harewood Ave. The parking lot is on the left.

From the South
Take I-95N to I-395N (exit 170A on the left) towards Washington. Follow I-395N 13.1 miles to the end. Turn right onto New York Avenue (US-50). Stay to the right and bear right onto M Street. Travel 0.4 miles to North Capitol Street. Turn left and follow North Capitol Street 1.7 miles to Michigan Avenue. Turn right on Michigan Avenue. Travel 0.7 mile on Michigan and then turn left on to Harewood. The parking lot is on the left.

From the East
Take US-50W to the first District of Columbia exit at South Dakota Avenue. Follow South Dakota Avenue. 1.3 miles and turn left onto Monroe Street. Travel Monroe Street 2 miles to its end at Michigan Avenue. Turn left
onto Michigan Avenue. Travel 0.1 mile and you will see the Shrine on the right. Go through the light at the Shrine and turn right on to Harewood. The parking lot is on the left.

From the West
Take I-66E to the Constitution Avenue (US-50E) exit. Follow Constitution Avenue 1.6 miles to 6th Street. Turn left onto 6th Street and follow it 1.5 miles to Rhode Island Avenue. Turn right onto Rhode Island Avenue and follow it 1.3 miles to 4th Street. Turn left onto 4th Street and follow it 0.9 mile to Michigan Avenue. Cross over Michigan and make the first left into the parking lot. Note that 4 th Street becomes Harewood at Michigan
Avenue.

Directions from the Shrine lot to Theological College:

As you exit the Shrine parking lot, walk to your right on Harewood Road and cross Michigan Ave. at the traffic light. Then turn left and cross two streets (Harewood Road and Fourth St.). Theological College (401 Michigan Ave. NE) will then be the building just ahead of you on the right. The main entrance faces on to Michigan Ave., and after you enter the building the chapel is to your right.

Interment at the Holy Name of Mary Cemetery, Montrose, PA at a later date.

Friends wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
5845 Richmond Highway,
Alexandria, VA 22303

or online at:

www.LLS.org (In Memory of Joseph Feuerherd)