St Paul’s, Whiteinch was full for the funeral of Mgr Jack Sheridan on 1 April. Mgr Sheridan, a much loved parish priest and ex-Chancellor of the Archdiocese, died on 25 March in his 90th year and 63 years after his ordination to the priesthood. The principal concelebrant was Archbishop Emeritus Conti, as Archbishop Tartaglia is in Rome and was unable to attend but sent his condolences to the family of Mgr Sheridan.

In his welcome, Archbishop Conti reflected that the congregation represented three families of Mgr Sheridan: his priestly family, his natural family (including his sister and nieces and nephews) and his parish family. Mgr. Sheridan had been parish priest of St. Paul’s for many years and it was appropriate that his funeral took place from the parish. The present Parish Priest, Mgr. Peter Smith, gave the homily, having known and worked with Mgr Sheridan for many years.

Mgr. Smith recalled that his first meeting with Mgr Sheridan had been when he was still in seminary and had been invited to a priests’ retreat and had met Mgr Sheridan then. When Mgr. Sheridan had been appointed as Chancellor in 1983, the feeling was that the appointment reflected a desire for someone who would be open and friendly. Mgr. Peter became his assistant in 1987 and subsequently succeeded him in the post.

Mgr Peter drew a laugh from congregation and priests as he described the wide variety of things that Mgr. Sheridan got involved in: from Scouts to the Charismatic movement to the Garden Festival in 1988. He had also spent 6 years as Spiritual Director at the Scots College in Spain. Prayer was the foundation of his ministry and the first reading from Daniel 12:1-3 was very appropriate as Mgr Sheridan always sought to have a good effect on others, and he took great joy in ministering to people.

The music of the Mass was led by the St. Mungo Singers with the addition of harp music by Dr. Noel Donnelly. At the end of what was a joyful service tinged with some sadness, the parish welcomed everyone to a beautiful lunch in the parish hall as a tribute to their late Parish Priest.

 

 

Archbishop Emeritus Conti and concelebrants