Reverend James R. Brooks died on April 22, 2017. He was born on October 11, 1977 in Dayton, Ohio. He studied Classical Humanities at the Legion of Christ College of Humanities and Novitiate in Cheshire, Connecticut. He received a Licentiate Degree in Philosophy and Moral Theology from the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy. He was ordained on December 12, 2009 by Monsignor Brian Farrell at St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome, Italy for the Legionaries of Christ.

Beginning October 2011, Father Brooks resided at St. Margaret of York Parish, with faculties for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati granted by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr. During that time he was discerning a call to the diocesan priesthood and incardination into the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. On February 2, 2015, Father Brooks was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Margaret of York Parish, Twenty Mile Stand (Loveland, Ohio). Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Censor of Books for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, effective May 22, 2015. On July 1, 2016, Father Brooks was appointed Pastor of St. Margaret of York Parish, Twenty Mile Stand (Loveland, Ohio) for a period of six years.

Reception of the Body: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Margaret of York Church, 9483 Columbia Road, Loveland, Ohio 45140 (513.697.3100). Celebrant: Reverend Jan K. Schmidt. Homilist: Reverend Timothy G. Fahey. Visitation continues until 8:00 p.m. at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Margaret of York Church. Celebrant: Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr. Homilist: Reverend Richard F. Sutter.

Burial: Thursday, April 27, 2017 immediately following Mass of Christian Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. Celebrant: Reverend Richard F. Sutter.

Following is an excerpt from some words he expressed to the parishioners at St. Margaret of York Parish in February 2017. “We are a people of hope, so we hope. We are a people of prayer, so we pray. I truly believe the words of St. Paul, ‘For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,’ because, for me to live is to be with you, to do the thing that I love most…to be your pastor. But for me to die is to be with the Father forever.”

May God welcome His faithful servant to his eternal home in heaven. May he rest in peace. Amen.