REV. THOMAS ALLEN

KANSAS CITY -- The Rev. Thomas E. Allen, 78, priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Kansas City.

He was born Nov. 22, 1922, at Kansas City.

He attended St. John's Seminary at Kansas City, the St. Louis Prepatory Seminary and Kenrick Seminary at St. Louis. Allen was ordained April 4, 1948, at Kansas City by Bishop Edwin V. O'Hara.

During his first years of priesthood, he served as assistant pastor of St. John Parish at Bahner, St. Mary Parish at Independence and Sacred Heart Parish at Kansas City.

From 1953 to 1958, he served as associate pastor for St. Agnes Cathedral Parish at Springfield while also serving as chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, chaplain of the Newman Club and diocesan moderator for Catholic Scouting.

Allen then spent time in study at St. Louis University, served at St. Joseph the Worker Parish at Ozark and at Immaculate Conception Parish at Springfield.

In 1963, he was assigned as pastor for St. Joseph Parish at Scott City. In 1976, he left for a one year sabbatical to pursue additional studies in Rome.

He served as pastor for Holy Trinity Parish at Springfield from 1977 to 1987. After a year's sabbatical to France, he returned to the diocese and was assigned pastor for St. Mary Parish at Lamar and its mission, St. Joseph at Golden City.

Failing health forced Allen's retirement in September 1999.

Prayer services will be at 7:30 p.m. today at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Springfield.

The Mass of Resurrection will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Bishop John J. Leibrecht of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese will officiate.