Peter C Sheridan, OFM

1921 – 2010

Fr. Peter Sheridan, OFM, was born on Sept. 21, 1913 in Newark, N.J. After attending Seton Hall College, South Orange, N.J., for three semesters, he entered St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., in 1934 and professed simple vows one year later. Fr. Peter made his solemn profession in 1938 and was ordained in 1941.

From 1942 to 1949, he served as assistant pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir, N.C., becoming pastor in 1949. Three years later, he was assigned as pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Thomasville, Ga. Fr. Peter served as director of novices from 1955 to 1964 at St. Raphael Friary in Lafayette, N.J.

In 1964, following his election as provincial councilor, he moved to St. Francis of Assisi Friary in New York City. From 1966 to 1970, he ministered as chaplain of New Jersey State Hospital in Greystone Park. He returned to the South in 1970 as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Americus, Ga. In 1976, Fr. Peter became spiritual assistant to the Secular Franciscans of the mid-south region. From 1984 to 1987, he served as parochial vicar at St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Md.

In 1988, he retired from full-time ministry at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, but continued to serve as spiritual assistant to several Secular Franciscan fraternities in the Washington area. Fr. Peter transferred to Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., in 2006.

He died on Nov. 3, 2010 at Holy Name Friary. Fr. Peter was 97 years old, a professed friar for 75 years, and a priest for 69 years