Rev. James J. Sheridan, O.S.A. (1935-2023)

Rev. James J. Sheridan, O.S.A., entered eternal life on August 28, 2023.

James Joseph Sheridan was born on April 13, 1935, in Peoria, Illinois, to John Edward and Carolyn Matilda (Hoffer) Sheridan. He was baptized at St. Monica Parish in East Peoria, Illinois, on May 3, 1935. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis, Indiana, on May 16, 1946.

James’ father was a Civil Service employee of the United States Army Air Force. This required the family to relocate eighteen times by the time James was fourteen years old. For that reason, James attended several schools, including: Ketchum in Indianapolis, Indiana; Christ the King in South Bend, Indiana; St. Monica in Mishawaka, Indiana; St. Joseph in Mishawaka, Indiana; St. Anthony in Indianapolis, Indiana; East Peoria Central in East Peoria, Illinois; St. Anthony in Indianapolis, Indiana (again); Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska; St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois; and St. Columbanus in Chicago, Illinois, from which he graduated in June 1949.

He entered St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan, in September 1949. He earned his high school diploma there in 1953.

James was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 9, 1953, and professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order on September 10, 1954. He professed solemn (permanent) vows on September 10, 1957.

He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova University in 1958. He completed theological studies at Augustinian College in Washington, D.C., in 1962, where he was awarded an M.A. in Religious Education.

Father Sheridan was ordained a priest in Chicago on June 7, 1961, by Auxiliary Bishop Raymond P. Hillinger.

He taught and served as Chaplain at Augustinian Academy in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1962 to 1967. He then moved to St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan, where he taught between 1967 and 1975, and also served as Business Manager between 1972 and 1974. In 1975, Father Sheridan was assigned to Austin Catholic High School in Detroit, Michigan, where he taught until the school closed in 1978. He was then assigned to Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago, where he taught and was a member of the school administration.

He was appointed Province Secretary, Archivist, and Public Relations Director for the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel in 1984. He held these positions until 1991.

During all this time, Father Sheridan continued his education, earning an M.A. in English from St. Louis University in 1970. He took additional graduate studies in Speech and Drama at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and the University of Detroit. He studied Education Administration at Governors State University in University Park, Illinois, and earned a Principalship Certificate in 1989.

In 1991, he was assigned to Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was a teacher. He was named Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gainesville, Texas, in 2002, and served there until 2006. Father Sheridan was then appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, in 2006. He became Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in 2009. The following year, he was assigned to Bl. Gratia of Kotor Friary at St. Peter Parish in Douglas, Michigan, where he was semi-retired and provided sacramental ministry as needed in several southwestern Michigan parishes. In 2013, he was assigned to the Augustinian community at St. Matthew Parish in Flint, Michigan, where he continued to provide sacramental ministry as pastoral needs arose.

Father Sheridan retired in 2016 and was assigned to St. John Stone Friary in Chicago. He moved to Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary in Crown Point, Indiana, in 2021, where he resided in Assisted Living at St. Anthony Home.

On August 6, 2023, Father Sheridan suffered a stroke while on vacation at Baldwin Lake. He spent about a week at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, IN, and was then moved to skilled care at St. Anthony Home in Crown Point, Indiana, for rehabilitation. After his stroke, Fr. Jim struggled to speak and experienced some paralysis on his right side.

On August 28, 2023, Father Sheridan unexpectedly passed away while the community was celebrating the Solemnity of St. Augustine in St. Anthony’s Chapel nearby. Fr. Michael O'Connor, OSA, and Fr. Donald Lewandowski, OSA, were with him when he passed away and were able to administer Last Rites before he died.

Father Sheridan will be remembered for the many different positions he held throughout the Province and how he served with obedience and pastoral leadership. He will be especially remembered as an outstanding English teacher. He was also an example of fidelity to community life.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL.

Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.