Aquinas Reding, OFM

1921 – 2000

Fr. Aquinas Reding, OFM, was born on Oct. 10, 1921 in Attica, N.Y. He enrolled in St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., in 1941 and was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson N.J., in 1947. Fr. Aquinas professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1951 and was ordained in 1953.

His priestly ministry took many forms. Fr. Aquinas began as an assistant for four years at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City before serving for short periods at ministries in Asheville, N.C., and as a hospital chaplain in St. Petersburg, Fla. He then spent seven years as a missionary in Brazil, followed by 11 years as assistant at St. Elizabeth Parish and chaplain of the city jail in Denver.

Another 11 years were devoted to ministry at St. Stephen Parish and its outlying missions in Croghan, N.Y. In 1989, he transferred to St. Joseph Parish, East Rutherford, N.J., serving as vicar there until his transfer to St. Bonaventure Parish, Allegany, N.Y., where he served as parochial vicar for seven years. In 1999, Fr. Aquinas was assigned to St. Mary’s Parish, Obernburg, N.Y., as a supply priest for the friars’ Sullivan County parishes.

He died there on Jan. 4, 2000. Fr. Aquinas was 78 years old, a professed friar for 51 years and a priest for 46 years.