Fr. J. Donald R. Lapointe was born in Chicopee Falls, MA and attended  St. George Grammar School there.  After high school, he attended the Seminary St Hyacynthe in PQ Canada and Seminary of Philosophie in Montreal where he obtained a Bachelor in Philosophy degree.  Afterwards he attended the Grand Seminare in Montreal and obtained an STL in Theology from the University of Montreal.

Fr. Lapointe was ordained to the priesthood on May 6, 1967 for the Diocese of Springfield, MA.  Father has a Masters in Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Masssachusetts.

In addition to a number of assignments, Fr. Lapointe also taught at Cathedral High School in Springfield MA.  After his internship at The Menninger Foundation in Topeka, KS, he worked for 14 years in the Diocesan Office for Marriage Counseling.  He was later appointed for the first Diocesan Director for Ministry to Separated and Divorced Catholics. 

 Currently retired, Fr. Lapointe continues to serve on the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal where he has served for 32 years.  He also works with Rachael’s Vineyard, a program for post-abortive parents.  Fr. is currently the Diocesan Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.  He also serves as a member of the Catholic Relief Services Global Fellows Speakers team where he gives talks throughout the U.S.  Fr. has recently become part of the Peace Initiative for Peace in the Holy Land between Israel and Palestine.