William F. Sheedy, O.S.A.

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1896 – 1949 (December 25)

William Francis Sheedy, son of William Sheedy and Bridget Mullen, was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on June 4, 1896, and was baptized at Saint Mary’s Church there three days later. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, in June, 1915, and made his simple profession on June 25, 1916. Solemn profession took place on the same day in 1919. Following studies, he was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia on June 10, 1922, by Denis Cardinal Dougherty.

For the first seven years following ordination, Father Sheedy was a professor at  Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. In 1929, he taught at Saint Rita’s High School in Chicago, Illinois. From 1930 to 1944, he was a member of the Province Mission Band, and in 1941 was appointed its rector. In 1944, Father Sheedy was named prior of Saint Augustine Parish, Philadelphia, an office he held until he death. He also continued to assist on the missions while his health permitted.

Father Sheedy was an accomplished musician and wrote many hymns in honor of the Blessed Virgin. He died in Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Staten Island, N.Y. on Christmas Day in 1949 at the age of 53. He is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.