Obituaries for November 2025

Let us pray for our dearly departed clergy whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in November.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Monsignor Venantius M. Fernando

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on November 17 at Saint Ignatius Church in Kovalam, India, for Monsignor Venantius M. Fernando. He died on November 15. Monsignor Fernando was 89.

Monsignor Fernando was ordained in the Diocese of Kottar, India in 1961.

He came to the Archdiocese of Newark in 1990, serving as parochial vicar at Saint Paul the Apostle Parish in Irvington, NJ. He then served in several positions for the archdiocese, including as director of adjunct clergy.

Monsignor Fernando was the pastor of Christ the King Parish in Hillside for 14 years. He later served in residence at Saint Theresa Parish in Kenilworth.

Father Michael J. Sheehan

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on November 24th at Saint Peter the Apostle in River Edge, NJ, for Father Michael J. Sheehan. He died on November 17.

Father Sheehan was born in 1948 and baptized at Holy Rosary Church in Edgewater. He attended Saint Cecilia’s High School in Englewood and Seton Hall University in South Orange. After teaching in Hackensack, he felt the call to the priesthood and attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington. Father Sheehan was ordained on May 27, 1978.

Following his ordination, Father Sheehan served as parochial vicar at Saint Philomena’s in Livingston, Immaculate Conception in Montclair, and Sacred Heart in Haworth. He then served as pastor at the Church of the Annunciation in Paramus.

The same year he became a pastor, Father Sheehan was appointed Director of the Catechumenate for the Archdiocese of Newark, a role he held for fifteen years. During his tenure, he oversaw meaningful developments in the RCIA process, including the separation of the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion.

He later became pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle in River Edge, where he served until his retirement. Father Sheehan had served as a transitional deacon there before his ordination to the priesthood. After his retirement, Father Sheehan was named Pastor Emeritus of the parish.

Father Sheehan enjoyed mentoring seminarians, transitional deacons, and permanent deacons, offering guidance, wisdom, humor, and friendship as he helped form them in their vocations. He was also an avid skier and enjoyed cooking.

He was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Mary (nee Bederka) Sheehan. Father Sheehan is survived by his brother, Deacon Patrick Sheehan; his sister, Mary Beth Sheehan; his sister-in-law, Kathleen Sheehan; his nephew, Philip Sheehan; Philip’s wife, Kelly; and their two children.