Msgr. Joseph Patrick Herron, who served as a pastor of four parishes and was a member or leader of numerous diocesan committees, boards and groups, died Aug. 18. He was 81.
As a pastor, he was assigned to St. Matthew Parish, National Park (1978-81); St. Peter, Merchantville (1981-88); St. Francis Cabrini, Ocean City (1988-98); and Epiphany, Longport (1998-2003), after which he retired.
Father Richard Hadyka noted that the Camden Diocese benefited greatly from Msgr. Herron’s administrative work, but he said his longtime friend will be most remembered for his pastoral skills.
“In the 53 years of his priesthood, Msgr. Herron touched the minds and hearts of many people who needed only what a man of God could give. He gave those in need hope, peace and love and it is for this that he will be respected, remembered and loved,” Father Hadyka said.
“Our diocese will ever be a better one because of his administrative abilities of over 40 years and his prayer-filled support,” he added. “The parishes in which he served as a parochial vicar and as pastor enabled people to come to know and love Our Lord the better through his Spirit-filled preaching and of the greatest importance to bring the Merciful Jesus to earth who we call Emmanuel.”
Msgr. Herron held several important diocesan posts, including episcopal vicar for Administration; vicar for Health Affairs: vice chairman, Finance Council and chairman, Audit Committtee; co-chair, Finance Committee; and president, Priests’ Council.
He also served as assistant chancellor of the diocese and was a member of the Pastoral Council, Regionalization Committee, Advisory Board for Vocation Apostolate, Inter-Parochial Cooperation Plan Board; Diocesan Task Force, Catholic Social Services Board of Trustees, Catholic Star Herald Advisory Board, Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.
Msgr. Herron studied at St. Joseph’s, Philadelphia; Immaculate Conception, Darlington, N.J.; and The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
He was ordained May 19, 1962. In the years following ordination, Msgr. Herron continued his education at Villanova and Temple universities and worked at Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, 1963-65, and Gloucester Catholic High School, 1965-66
He was parochial vicar at St. Augustine, Ocean City; St. Joan of Arc, Camden; Our Lady Star of the Sea, Atlantic City; St. Francis of Assisi, Vineland; St. Anthony of Padua, Camden; and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Woodlynne.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Trinity Parish (Church of the Epiphany) in Longport on Aug. 22. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mays Landing.
Condolences may sent in care of Father Richard J. Hadyka, P.O. Box 615, Longport, NJ 08403.