Skelly, Reverend Monsignor Richard J.

REVEREND MONSIGNOR RICHARD J. SKELLY

 1928 – 2017

Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Skelly, Pastor Emeritus, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Morton, died on Thursday, January 26, 2017.

Monsignor Skelly was born on January 5, 1928, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Daniel A. Skelly and the late Agnes M. (Powers) Skelly.  Monsignor Skelly attended West Norriton Elementary School, Norristown; Saint Francis of Assisi Parochial School, Norristown, and West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor Skelly was ordained on May 8, 1954, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John F. O’Hara, C.S.C., and named Honorary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II on May 29, 1991.  Monsignor Skelly served as Parochial Vicar, Annunciation Parish, Shenandoah and Saint James Parish, Philadelphia.  He then served on the faculty of Saint Thomas More High School for Boys; Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill; and Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote.  Monsignor Skelly served as pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Cheltenham.  In 1988, Monsignor Skelly was appointed Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Morton, and named Pastor Emeritus there in 2003.

Reception of the Body will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Morton, on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 4:00 PM, followed by a viewing and a parish Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 PM.

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor Skelly at Saint Joseph Church, Aston, on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM. A viewing will be held beginning at 9:00 AM.  Among those concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Most Reverend Joseph R. Cistone, Reverend Robert Vogan and Reverend Anthony DiGuglielmo.  Reverend Kevin Murray will be the homilist.

Monsignor Skelly is survived by his sisters: Rosemary E. Backus and JoAnne C. Dougherty, and brothers: William J. Skelly and Dr. Daniel A. Skelly, and nephews and nieces.  Interment will be at Saint Patrick Cemetery, Norristown.