Marist School

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your Word.” — Luke 1: 38

Father James Hartnett dedicated his entire life to serving others: first in the Navy during World War II, and later as a Roman Catholic priest, member of the Marist Order, teacher, and school administrator.

Born in 1926, Father Hartnett grew up in Philadelphia. There he attended Roman Catholic High School, which he later called “an institution that would have a great influence on my life.” Graduation in 1944, at the height of World War II, prompted Father Hartnett to join the Navy. After two years of service in the U.S. and China, he entered the seminary and was professed in the Society of Mary in 1949 and ordained in 1955. Father Hartnett began his ministry in education as a priest at the old Marist College on Ivy Street in Atlanta, Georgia.

In the next 46 years, Father Hartnett would go on to earn two Masters’ degrees and serve in education, administration, and vocation positions all across the country. However, the heart of his career was spent at Marist College, which later became Marist School. He taught a variety of classes, and served tenures as business manager, principal, and president before retiring in 2001. “I held every job there was to hold there,” he said in a 2006 interview.

Throughout his time as president, Father Hartnett oversaw major changes to the school, including the transition from an all-male military school to the coeducational institution it is today. Additionally, he oversaw an expansion of the campus, including the addition of the Bishop Gunn Building, Woodruff Fine Arts Center, Laird Gymnasium, the music building, the Wooldridge Library and Computer Center, and Centennial Center.

His true legacy, however, was his imprint on generations of students. Jay Reardon, a 1967 Marist graduate, said of Father Hartnett: “as a student I benefited from your patience as I struggled with difficult subjects. As a young man, I benefited through sharing daily Mass and reflection as I struggled through the challenge of maturing. You joined my wife and me in marriage. You baptized our children. Your example influenced my work ethic and your selfless charity affected my philosophy on sharing my gifts with others.”

Father Hartnett was preceded in death by parents Albin and Alice Hartnett and brother Albin “Al” Hartnett. He is survived by sister Alice Hartnett “Sis” Tomlinson; brother Frank “Frannie” Hartnett; sisters-in-law Marian Hartnett and Dixie Hartnett; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, as well as cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted to the Fr. James L. Hartnett, S.M. Scholarship fund at Marist School and/or to the Marist Care Fund of the Society of Mary.

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” You will find these words of Mary, from Luke’s gospel, on the program for today’s mass, ...on the prayer cards, and...in the thoughts and hearts of many of those who knew the man we have come here to today to remember, to celebrate, and to pray for. Fr. James Leo Hartnett, S.M. was a man who first and foremost gave credit and honor to God ....for, ..and above - all things. Like the woman who was his inspiration and mentor, Fr. Hartnett’s life was a living testimony to the Will of God. As a Marist, as a priest, and as a leader in a community of leaders, he took the words of the Marist Constitutions to his heart: “Think as Mary, Judge as Mary, Feel and Act as Mary in all things.” Simple words ....that formed the dynamic drive of a complex man. From the streets of Philadelphia, where he proudly attended Roman Catholic High School, to the naval waters of the Second World War, Jim Hartnett’s journey led him inexorably to embrace a life of service in the Way of Mary. And although Fr. Hartnett’s early ministry experience had the promise of a number of opportunities, it was the education of young people in general, and Marist School in particular, that came to be his passion and his life’s work.

Much has been said of Fr. Hartnett’s status as the driving force behind the Marist School of the Twenty-First Century. He has been credited with bridging the gap between the Ivy Street Military Academy beginnings, and the idyllic small-college setting of Ashford-Dunwoody. For forty-five years, as teacher, treasurer, principal and president, Fr. Hartnett oversaw the mission and management of an educational process that touched on the development of virtually every aspect young men and women, and influenced the lives and families of thousands of students, faculty and supporters. And always, ...the core of that development was the stretch for excellence of mind, body and spirit. His skills of convincing supporters to open the wallets for the good of the school are legendary. I am told that he often told people that the S.M. after his name did not mean “Send Money”, but that they might as well get into the habit of doing so. And the result of that support that he so earnestly encouraged, ...whether in time, ...money or prayer, can easily be seen in the programs, buildings and grounds across our current campus. Generations of growth that bear the imprint of his work.

But the real legacy of Fr. Hartnett won’t be found in the mortar and brick, or the expanse of the fertile fields of so many dreams. Certainly he will always be highly associated with the great names that have given energy and life to Marist School, like Frs. Vince Brennan & Phil Dagneau,. But for Fr. Hartnett, the real success of his life’s work was in the relationships he formed. Fr. Hartnett was a family man. His own family here in Atlanta, and in the Philadelphia Area,... his beloved sister Alice, and brothers Al and Frank, ...they were all part of the heritage he often talked about with pride. The Society of Mary was family that formed the foundation of his spiritual life and his ministerial action. But for Fr. Hartnett, family was a universal concept that stretched beyond any artificial or pre-determined boundaries. He may have been the father figure of the family called Marist School, but his heart and spirit embraced all people, in all places, at all times.

He was a man of action. Fr. Konzen tells the story of Fr. Hartnett pushing him to announce his assumption of the role of principal in 1981. Fr. Konzen asked for a few days to think about it, and after the days had passed, he went back to Fr. Hartnett to tell him that he didn’t think he was ready. Fr. Hartnett replied: “Not ready to announce it, or not ready to become principal ? When Fr. Konzen replied that he wasn’t ready to become principal, Fr. Hartnett laughed and said: “If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll never do it. Let’s just get on with it, and you’ll be fine.” And he was right. Fr. Hartnett didn’t place much stock in hesitating, which is why he got so much done.

Confidence, charm, intelligence and faith gave strength to the character of Fr. Hartnett. His quick wit and humor gave depth to the many stories he used as every-day teaching tools. Above all, he simply loved the people that God had placed in his care, and every day he gave thanks for the gifts that they were in his life. He knew that eventually he would retire, and begin another part of his journey, and he was ready for that, as well. Oh, the plans that he had made ! But, as is often the case, God had other plans.

When Fr. Hartnett was first diagnosed with Parkinsons, he expected that some change in his life would occur, but none so large or so fast that he wouldn’t be able to implement at least the beginnings of his own plans. And for about a year and a half, he was able to manage a regular routine of retired life...and even a bit of travel. But the disease that had taken hold of his body was merciless and swift, and he became less and less able to manage the affairs of his life as independently as he wished. Then began a terrible and unexpected journey into loss. Then began his own journey on the Way of the Cross. This man, ...who had been an icon of strength and leadership for so many, ..for so long, ...now found himself having to depend on others for the basic activities of his life. He found a new vulnerability that he neither wanted nor liked, ... but one that he accepted in the fulness of his faith. During these years of decline, at the rectory, and later at the care facilities, he often spoke of God’s own sense of direction for his life, and cautioned others about making plans without consulting God. Month by month, day-by-day, the cross he carried became heavier, but he never complained. Frustrated though he was, he never gave up, but offered every struggle to God . Although his body wouldn’t co-operate, ..and the whisper of his words became harder to hear, .. his mind was razor sharp, ...his sense of humor was classic Fr. Hartnett, ...and his celebrated memory was as clear and focused as ever. Until about four months ago. It was around that time that he came at last upon his own Calvary. And when he had nothing left to give, God took him home to share in the fullness of life that he had so long taught others about. It was during these final years that Fr. Hartnett accomplished the greatest teaching moments of his life. This commanding and powerful figure tasted powerlessness and humility. He tasted God. And he invited all who visited him, all who knew or had heard of him, ...to witness what real success in life is all about. A giving of all back to God, and a union with God forever. I am the servant of the Lord, let it be done to me, according to your will.

Fr. Hartnett’s entire life of teaching and example comes down to the very experience we are gathered here to celebrate today. This is why he lived as he did, and gave what he had. If our faith tells us anything, it is that we live our entire lives in anticipation for the moment God calls us home to him. It is a time of divine Joy, even if mixed with human sadness. It is a time of celebration of new life, even while mourning the loss of a life once lived. Fr. Hartnett has said that the only true Christmas Day we ever celebrate is the Day of our death. It is our own true birthday, with Christ, and celebrated with Mary. All else is simply a dress rehearsal.

Fr. Hartnett rests now in the embrace of the God who invites all of us to join the celebration that will never end. Thank you, Fr. Hartnett for the gift that you were for each of us. Rest in peace good and faithful son of Mary. We look forward to seeing you again, in the promise of Christ, and in the kingdom your own life proclaimed.

Monday, April 26, 2010

5:00 p.m.

Viewing at Our Lady of the Assumption Church (1350 Hearst Drive Northeast, Atlanta GA 30319, phone: 404-261-7181)

6:30 p.m.

Wake Service at Our Lady of the Assumption Church

7:00 p.m.

Reception at Centennial Center, Marist School (3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta GA 30319, phone: 770-457-7201)

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

5:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church

Reception to follow in Moylan Hall