Father Liam P. McSweeney, a beloved priest of the Diocese of Sacramento for 60 years, died July 23 in Sacramento. He was 87.
Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigand will preside at at funeral Mass for Father McSweeney on Friday, Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. in St. Mel Church, located at 4745 Pennsylvania Ave. in Fair Oaks.. Father John Cantwell will be the celebrant and homilist. A reception will follow the Mass in the parish hall. The rite of committal service will be held that day at 2:30 p.m. at Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Funeral Center at 7101 Verner Ave. in Citrus Heights.
A vigil service and rosary will be held on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. in St. Mel Church.
Father McSweeney, pastor of St. Mel Parish from October 2005 to August 2013, retired on Aug. 31, 2013 and was named pastor emeritus of St. Mel Parish.
Prior to serving at St. Mel, he was chaplain at the California Youth Authority (Perkins) from 1976 to 2002. During some of those years, he was in residence at St. Robert Parish in Sacramento.
He served as assistant pastor of St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in North Highlands and St. Robert Parish in Sacramento from Dec. 1973 to July 1976; of St. Mel Parish from November 1971 to December 1973; of St. Peter and All Hallows Parish from Sept. 1967 to November 1971; and St. John Vianney Parish in Rancho Cordova from September 1963 to Sept. 1967.
He was ordained to the priesthood for ministry in the diocese on June 2, 1963. He was born on Aug. 13, 1935 in County Tipperary, Ireland.
Father McSweeney was preceded in death by his mother, Ellen; father, Edward; sisters Dympna McSweeney and Maureen Maher, and brother Pearse McSweeney. He is survived by his sister, Noreen McSweeney; his brother, Patrick McSweeney; his nephew, Martin Maher and his wife, Elaine; and grandnieces Raicheal, Aisling and Grace Maher. He is also survived by many cousins and extended family.