REVEREND JOHN J. SHELLEY

1930 – 2020

Reverend John J. Shelley, Pastor Emeritus, Presentation B.V.M. Parish, Cheltenham, died on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

Father Shelley was born on July 21, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Joseph D. Shelley and the late Mary Agnes (Folliard) Shelley.  Father Shelley attended Saint Rose of Lima Parochial School, Philadelphia and Saint Thomas Moore High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Shelley was ordained on May 13, 1961, at the Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John J. Krol.  Father Shelley served as Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Philadelphia; Saint John of the Cross Parish, Roslyn; Saint Dominic Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Philadelphia; Pastor, Saint Rose of Lima, Philadelphia; and Parochial Administrator, Incarnation Parish, Philadelphia. In 1991, he was appointed Pastor of Presentation B.V.M. Parish, Cheltenham, and named Pastor Emeritus there in 2000.  He then served as Senior Priest, Nativity Parish, Warminster and Saint David Parish, Willow Grove, before retiring in June, 2005.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Saint David Church, Willow Grove, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 9:00 AM, followed by a viewing.  Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Father Shelley at 11:00 AM.  Among those concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be, Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan, and Reverend Monsignor Richard T. Bolger will be the homilist.

            Father Shelley is survived by his cousin, Claire Connors and nephew, James Gearhart.  Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.