Rev. Msgr. Francis X. Meehan
Deceased: 2011-07-22
Diocese: PHILADELPHIA
Seminary Graduation Year: 1962
CSM Graduation Year: 1965
Reverend Monsignor Francis X. Meehan, Pastor Emeritus, Saints Simon and Jude Parish, West Chester, died at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, Darby, on Friday, July 22, 2011.
Monsignor Meehan was born on February 23, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late James Henry Meehan and the late Loretta Donnelly. Monsignor Meehan attended Our Lady of Lourdes Parochial School, Philadelphia; and Saint Joseph Preparatory High School before entering Saint Charles Borrowed Seminary.
Monsignor Meehan was ordained on December 20, 1961, at the Basilica of Saint Peter, Rome, by Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor, and named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on March 24, 2003. Monsignor Meehan was assigned as a Student Priest to the Pontifical North American College, Rome, and Saint Louis University, Missouri. He served on the Faculty at Bishop Shanahan High School, Downingtown; Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia; Immaculata University; and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Monsignor Meehan served as Coordinator of Religious Education from 1969 through 1973. He also served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Doylestown, and as Parochial Administrator at Saint Justin Martyr Parish, Narberth. In September 1989, Monsignor Meehan was appointed Pastor, Saints Simon and Jude Parish, West Chester, and named Pastor Emeritus there in 2007.
The Reception of the Body will be held at Saints Simon and Jude Church, West Chester, on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at 4:00 PM, followed by a viewing. A parish Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 PM. His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigali will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor Meehan at Saints Simon and Jude Church, West Chester, on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at 11:00 AM. A viewing will be held beginning at 9:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Anthony J. Costa, Reverend Edward J. Hallinan, Reverend Thomas M. Higgins, Reverend Monsignor John J. Jagodzinski, Reverend Joseph J. Meehan, and Reverend Monsignor Thomas M. Mullin. Father Joseph Meehan will be the homilist.
Monsignor Meehan is survived by his brothers, Michael and Reverend Joseph Meehan, his sister Margaret Mary Hughes, and his nieces and nephews. Interment will be at HolyCrossCemetery, Yeadon.
