Msgr. James Meehan | Pastor emeritus, 83

Msgr. James H. Meehan, 83, pastor emeritus at St. John Neumann Parish in Bryn Mawr, died June 26 of pneumonia at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby.

A Philadelphia native, Msgr. Meehan lived at various places in the city and suburbs. The last few years he resided at St. Francis Country House in Darby, a home for retired priests.

Msgr. Meehan graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1943.

He was ordained on May 27, 1950, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, and named honorary prelate to Pope Paul VI in 1973.

Msgr. Meehan served as parochial vicar, or assistant pastor, at St. Patrick Parish, Pottsville. He served on the faculty at St. James Catholic High School in Chester from 1952 to 1960, and Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote from 1960 to 1967.

He also served as principal of St. Hubert High School, Philadelphia, from June 1967 to June 1971. From 1971 to 1979, Msgr. Meehan worked for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, directing the Office of the Vicar for Religious, which acts as a link with religious communities, including nuns.

The monsignor was parochial administrator for St. John Neumann Parish in Bryn Mawr from November 1978 through August 1980, when he became pastor. He retired in June 2001.

Msgr. Meehan is survived by three brothers, a sister, and nieces and nephews.

A service of the transfer of the body will be held at 4 p.m. today at St. John Neumann Parish, 380 Highland Lane, Bryn Mawr, followed by a viewing. A parish Mass will be said at 7:30 p.m.

Cardinal Justin Rigali will celebrate a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Dorothy Roman Catholic Church, 4910 Township Line Rd., Drexel Hill. A viewing will be at 9:15 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.