Rev. Richard Eldredge T.O.R.

Father Richard Eldredge, T.O.R., 78 – Pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville, Texas and a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – died December 28, 2019 at Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas after an extended illness.  Fr. Richard was born on May 2nd, 1941 in northern New Jersey, the son of Dalton and Ann Eldredge. After teaching psychology for several years at Alleghany Community College in Pittsburgh, PA, Fr. Richard responding to God’s call to become a Franciscan and entered the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Loretto, Pennsylvania as a postulant in August of 1973. He professed his First Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience on June 1st, 1975, and then made his Solemn Profession of Vows exactly three years-to-the-day later. Fr. Richard went on to earn a Masters degree in Divinity at Saint Francis Seminary in Loretto, PA and was ordained to the priesthood on November 25, 1978. Several years later, he completed a Doctoral degree in Psychology at Duquesne University and then served on the faculty of Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH and Saint Francis College in Loretto, PA. From 1988 to 1992, he oversaw the formation of friars preparing for solemn vows and the priesthood. Then for the past twenty-four years, he was engaged in pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Fort Worth, beginning with Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Arlington, TX where he was appointed Parochial Vicar in 1995. In 1998, he was appointed Pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Seymour, TX and served there until he became pastor at Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville in 2007. In addition to his parochial duties, he also served on the College of Consultors and Priest Council for the Diocese of Ft. Worth and the Franciscan’s Provincial Council from August 2015 to July 2019. Fr. Richard will be missed greatly by his parish community, Franciscan brothers, and family alike. He is survived by his brother Darwin Eldredge and wife Jeanne, their son Craig, daughter Kim Alsobrook and her husband Mark, as well as several grand nephews and a grandniece, and his Franciscan community. Friends will be received at the Chapel of St. Francis Friary at Mount Assisi, Loretto, PA, Monday, January 6, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until the vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Friary at Mount Assisi, Loretto, PA, with Father Joseph Lehman, T.O.R., as principal celebrant and Father Sam Vaccarella who will give the homily. Following the Mass, interment will take place at the Franciscan Friars Cemetery, on the campus of St. Francis University, Loretto, PA. Arrangements by Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church Street, Gallitzin. gibbonsfunerals.com

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