Monsignor Lawrence Paul Sweeney

Friday, Oct. 07, 2016

Monsignor Lawrence Paul Sweeney died at Saint Joseph Villa, Salt Lake City, on Sept. 28, 2016 of age-related causes. He was 87.

Lawrence Paul Sweeney was born Jan. 12, 1929 in Laramie, Wyo., the son of Michael James Sweeney and Grace Margaret Akolt. When the family moved to Salt Lake City in 1933, he attended the Cathedral Grammar School (now Our Lady of Lourdes), Roosevelt Junior High School and Judge Memorial Catholic High School. 

In 1945, at age 16, he began seminary studies by entering St. Joseph Minor Seminary and College, Mountain View, Calif., and later St. Patrick’s Seminary, Menlo Park, Calif., from which he received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 1950. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Salt Lake City on Jan. 24, 1954 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Salt Lake City. 

During his long life of ministry, he served his early years as assistant pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Ogden; St. Patrick Parish, Salt Lake City; and as a teacher at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. He developed an effective ministry as chaplain at the Newman Center, University of Utah. 

He was also the editor of the Catholic Register (now called the Intermountain Catholic) and was recognized for his weekly columns. While chaplain of the Newman Center in Salt Lake City, he received a Master of Arts in psychology from the University of Utah.  

In later years, he served as pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Salt Lake City; St. Helen Parish, Roosevelt; Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Magna; and Holy Family Parish, Ogden. He was named a Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor on April 30, 2001, and retired from active ministry on Nov. 15, 2004. 

Monsignor Sweeney was also deeply involved with Our Lady of Light Ministries, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was the Priest from the West. 

Monsignor Sweeney was known for his contagious laugh, his generous spirit and deep devotion for the Holy Eucharist and for the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was active in community social justice movements, especially regarding racial equality, and ecumenical outreach.

Monsignor Sweeney is survived by his older brother, Tom (Rita) Sweeney; his sister, Patricia McLeese; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Jim, Jack and Bill; his twin sister, Mary; and his beloved dog, Maddie.

A special thanks to the entire staff of St. Joseph Villa who took remarkable care of Msgr. Sweeney from 2010 until his death; and to the Rev. Msgr. Rudolph Daz, whom he met in 1945 when they entered St. Joseph Minor Seminary and College. They were ordained the same day in the Diocese of Salt Lake in 1954, and reunited in 2010 at St. Joseph Villa, where they were inseparable.

Viewing will be on Friday, Oct. 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 670 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, with the Vigil Service at 7 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 East South Temple. 

Committal will be at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U St., Salt Lake City.  Funeral arrangements are through Neil O’Donnell & Sons Mortuary.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Priests Mutual Benefit Society, 27 C St., Salt Lake City, UT 84103.