James Bernard Sheridan, O.P.

James Bernard Sheridan, O.P.

Jubilarian

Birth: December 19, 1908

Profession: August 16, 1929

Ordination: June 13, 1935

Died: July 20, 1998

James Joseph Sheridan was born in New York City to Bartholomew and Ellen (Rabbitt) Sheridan.  He attended St. Vincent Ferrer Grammar School (1915-23) and St. Francis Xavier High School (1923-27) in that city. He began his college education at Fordham University before transferring to Providence College, Providence, RI (1927-28).

He entered the novitiate of the Province of St. Joseph at St. Rose Priory, Springfield, KY (1928) receiving the name Bernard. A year later he made his simple profession there.

He studied philosophy at the Dominican House of Studies, River Forest, IL (1929-32) and theology at St. Joseph’s Priory, Somerset, OH (1932-33) and the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC (1933-36). He was ordained at St. Dominic’s Church in that city by Bishop John M. McNamara, auxiliary of Baltimore, MD.

Except for one year as procurator at Aquinas High School, Columbus, OH, Fr. Sheridan spent all of his priestly life either in the Province’s houses of formation or in its parishes: 1936-40 at St. Rose Priory, (with the novices); 1940-41 Aquinas High School; 1941-45 St. Rose Priory (procurator); 1945-47 Sacred Heart Parish, Jersey City, NJ; 1947-50 St. Rose Priory (Assistant Novice Master); 1950-59 St. Stephen Priory, Dover, MA (Assistant Novice Master/Procurator); 1959-75 St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, New York City. His final assignment was to Holy Innocents Parish, Pleasantville, NY. He was there from 1975 to 1996.

Due to failing health and the onset of blindness Fr. Sheridan spent the last 20 months of his life under the loving care of the Dominican Sisters at Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, NY.

In his homily at the Mass of Christian Burial Fr. Raymond Daley, pastor and superior of Holy Innocents Parish summed up the sentiments of many members of the Province. “Jimmy Sheridan was one of the most truly beloved and highly respected members of our Province…especially by those of us who cherished his kindness and good humor during the 20 years he served as Assistant Novice Master. So many of us owe our perseverance throughout those challenging days to his fraternal thoughtfulness and unfailing good humor.” He was buried in the Dominican plot at All Souls Cemetery, Pleasantville, NY.

We trust that the Lord will enjoy him as much as we did.

All Soul's CemeteryAquinas High SchoolDominican SistersNew York CityRosary Hill HomeSt. Vincent Ferrer Church