Msgr. Francis J. Meagher

Rev. Monsignor Francis J. Meagher passed away Monday March 25, 2024 in Columbus.

 The son of John F. and Eleanor C. Gatz Meagher, he was born February 7, 1935, in Columbus.  He is preceded in death by his parents and survived by his sister Paulette Meagher.

 Monsignor Meagher was a graduate of Madison Township High School, Groveport.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from St. Charles Seminary, Columbus, and a Master of Divinity degree from Mt. St. Mary of the West Seminary, Norwood, Ohio.  He was ordained to the Priesthood at Christ the King Church, Columbus, on August 6, 1960, by the Most Reverend Clarence G. Issenmann, Bishop of Columbus.

Msgr. Meagher served as a Student Priest Prefect at Mt. St. Mary of the West; then as an Assistant Pastor at St. Nicholas, Zanesville, and St. Peter, Chillicothe parishes, both in the Diocese of Columbus.  He was Pastor of St. Bernard, Corning, St. Joseph, Circleville, St. Agatha, Columbus, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Buckeye Lake parishes, all in the Diocese of Columbus.  Msgr. Meagher also served the Diocese as an instructor at Bishop Rosecrans, Zanesville, and Bishop Flaget, Chillicothe, high schools; Chaplain of the Diocesan Committee on Catholic Boy Scouting for the Muskingum Valley; a spiritual director at the Pontifical College, Josephinum, Columbus; Chaplain, Daughters of Isabella Salve Regina Circle #584, Chillicothe; Chaplain, Knights of Columbus Council #5297, Circleville; and a member of the Diocesan Priest Personnel Board, Presbyteral Council, and College of Consultors.  He retired from active ministry July 8, 2008.

Msgr. Meagher’s body will be received at St. Matthew the Apostle Church, 807 Havens Corners Rd., Gahanna, on Monday, April 1, 2024, and friends may call from 10 to 11:30 a.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11:30 a.m. the same day with the Most Reverend Bishop Earl K. Fernandes as the principal celebrant and Father Joseph Yokum as the homilist.  A reception will follow the Mass, and Msgr. Meagher will be interred at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne, Ohio, following the reception.

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