Longtime Missionary in the Philippines Made His Home Where His Heart Was

(Text and Photo Credit: Fr. Adam MacDonald, SVD)

Rev. John P. McSherry, SVD, 80, a missionary in the Philippines for more than four decades, died January 18, 2014, at St. Francis Hospital, Trenton, N.J., in Compassionate Care (Hospice).

 

“The heart of a missionary was at the core of John’s being,” said Brother Patrick Hogan, SVD, rector of the Divine Word Residence in Bordentown, N.J. “He moved to Bordentown four years ago so that he could remain active during retirement. John regularly celebrated Mass for the Poor Clare Sisters in Chesterfield, N.J., who live nearby, and he was a vibrant member of our community.”

 

After a total of 46 years in the Philippines, Father McSherry returned to the United States in 2009 and spent a few months at the provincial headquarters at Techny, Illinois, discerning his next step before moving to Bordentown.

 

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1933, John Patrick McSherry was the second of Florence (nee Moore) and Patrick McSherry’s three children. His elder brother Kevin died at age two, shortly before John Patrick’s birth. Their mother, born in New Brunswick, was the daughter of a Canadian soldier; their father emigrated from Northern Ireland. The young McSherry considered himself an “immigrant kid.”

 

In an interview, he once spoke about being named after his grandfather and godfather. “I appreciate that because I already have my name on the gravestone,” he said. “It’s a root. It’s a support. You grab onto something because growing up as an immigrant kid you kind of lose your roots. You spend a lot of time looking for your roots.”

 

If he was looking for roots as a young priest, he found them in Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines. “It’s a rugged place,” said Father McSherry, who cherished swimming daily and riding his motorcycle in the open air. “These people do not welcome entrance into the modern world. They want to keep their customs and not be spoiled by modernization. They are a beautiful people.”

 

The young McSherry professed religious vows in 1953 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1961. For his first assignment, he worked in the Mission Office, raising funds for missionaries in other parts of the world. He then was assigned to the Philippines. He served as a parish priest and in high education. From 1991 until his return to the United States, he was a teacher, administrative and campus minister at University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines.

 

In addition to degrees in philosophy and theology, Father McSherry held a master’s degree in education from Catholic University of America and a master’s degree in literature from the University of San Carlos-Cebu City.

 

In addition to his brother Kevin, his younger sister Mary preceded him in death. He is survived by his fellow Divine Word Missionaries.

 

The visitation for Father McSherry will be held Tuesday, January 21 from 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. at Divine Word Residence. The Mass of the Resurrection will take place at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 22 at Divine Word Chapel, Bordentown, N.J. He will be buried at St. Mary Cemetery, Bordentown, N.J.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for the care of retired missionaries may be sent to Divine Word Missionaries, 101 Park St., P.O. Box 357, Bordentown, NJ 08505.

Fluvial Procession 2014

Fluvial Procession: View from the Twinkle Star Ship

Despite the tension brought about by the debate whether to push through with it or not, the fluvial procession was successfully and colorfully held this morning. While the rest of Visayas waters were experiencing big waves and voyage was indeed difficult, the Mactan strait was peacefully calm.  Thousands and thousands of the faithful flocked to get a glimpse of the Holy Child.

Thank you to the Roble Shipping Lines. The SVD Radio DYRF gave blow by blow updates of the Fluvial Procession this year.

34th Cebu Pop Music Festival Winners

Best in Folk/Country/Novelty Category: “Laylay sa Bukid”

The Cebu Pop Music Festival, now its 34^th year culminated with a high note last January 17 in the evening when for the first time, it leveled up its songwriting competition by classifying the 12 different compositions into three musical genres: Ballad/Pop Ballad, Upbeat/Dance Music, and Folk/Country/Novelty. At the end of the evening, while there is only one Best Interpeter, three champions emerged from these three categories.

Best in Interpretation: Jacqueline Bual (Ayaw Akog Biyai)

(She received 10,000.00 plus trophy)

Best in Upbeat/Dance Music Category: “I Love Cebu” composed by Russel Alegado

(100,000.00 plus trophy)

Best in Folk/Country/Novelty Category: “Laylay sa Bukid” composed by Ronil Vincent Watin and Yoogin Raye Anthony

(100,000.00 plus trophy)

Best in Ballad/Pop Ballad Category: “Ayaw Akog Biyai” composed by Jade Castro

(100,000.00 plus trophy)

Cebu Pop is a yearly project of the Cebu Arts foundation headed by former congressman Eduardo R. Gullas. The non-winners also received 20,000.00 each and plaques of appreciation. 138 entries were screened for this year’s contest. Congratulations to all the winners!

The contest was also broadcasted live on radio by the DYRF and the Power FM, both radios of the Divine Word Missionaries of the Philippines Southern Province.