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CALLAHAN REV. NELSON J. CALLAHAN age 85. Beloved son of the late Nelson J. and Mary (nee Mulholland) Callahan; loving brother of Dr. Kenneth (Joan) Callahan (both deceased) and Miriam (Gerald) Porter; dear uncle of The Hon. Kenneth Jr., Kevin, Christopher, Katherine and Collin Callahan and Miriam "Mimi", Dr. Mary Christine and Gerald Porter and great uncle of 11. In 60 years of Priesthood, Fr. Callahan was a Pastor, Associate, College Professor, Diocesan Archivist, Author and most recently Pastor of St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village for 28 years. Fr. Entered Eternal Rest Tuesday, January 15, 2013. Funeral Mass Saturday, January 19, at Communion of Saints Parish in St. Ann Church,, 2175 Coventry at Cedar, Cleveland Hts., 44118 at 1:00 pm. Vespers Friday, Jan. 18 in the Church at 3:00 PM followed by public visitation until 8:30 PM. Private family interment. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Ignatius High School Scholarship Fund or The University of Notre Dame, American Church History Archives.
42 Entries
I just found out about the passing of a great Pastor, teacher and friend. He did so much for my son and our family. Now, he can watch over all of us.
Robert Spillman
June 11, 2013
Father Callahan, you were my "conscience teacher." Rest in peace with Christ, good man. And thank you for touching my life.
Michael Cheetham
March 28, 2013
Fr. Callahan was our teacher and our friend at Saint John College. He taught us how to be reflective thinkers. That always stayed with me. Over the past 38 years I have taught my students and my own sons how to be reflective thinkers. Whether he was teaching theology, or talking about the Irish immigrants in Cleveland, he was enthusiastic. The times he would take us to Madison to get us out of the city were especically remarkable. We would sit and talk and listen to him. He would invite us to visit with visiting clergy and discuss the church. He was proud of us. I will never forget him and the lessons he taught.
Deborah Rensel ODonnell-Vasenda SJC class of '74
March 12, 2013
Nelson was a the first professor and priest to invite us up to the altar to "celebrate" the eucharist with him. He also taught me how parishes were built and how faith transfered from one generation to the next. I am grateful for these early experiences and am trying to use these insights daily as my own "ordained" ministry develops.
Rev. Diane Dougherty, ARCWP
February 8, 2013
RIP Father Callahan.
Anna Delacruz
February 7, 2013
I am a little late with my message as I just saw the obituary in the Universe Bulletin. I never met Father Callahan but I am eternally greatful for his and Wm. Hickeys' book, "Irish American and Their Communities of Cleveland." It has been a truly valuable source to me in looking at my family back to 1847. I have never found much of this information elsewhere. From reading all the other entries I am sure I would have cared deeply for this man of God.
Carolyn Kemery
February 3, 2013
My Heartfelt Sympathy to the Callahan Family. This sad news has just reached me. You are all in my heart and prayers. Loretta Porter
February 2, 2013
Remembering such a caring, intelligent priest who taught us religion weekly at St. Peter High School (on E.17th and Superior), back in the 60's. Sometimes he was way over our heads, but a lot of what he said stuck with me all these years.
He certainly touched many lives.
Rita Witz-Svoboda
January 30, 2013
Fr. Callahan use to occasionally say mass at Our Lady of Angels, I always enjoyed when he did. He had such a great personality. He always stopped to talk for a moment on his way out. I was very sad to hear last Sunday at mass that he passed away. Love and prayers to the family.
Lisa
January 27, 2013
The Callahan Family : Sorry to hear ( belatedly } of Father Nelson's passing .He was truly an inspiring priest , scholar , educator, author and will be at home with the celestial archives .Love to all . Mary Clare, BoB Porter
January 25, 2013
Introspective was his speciality and I find myself thinking about what I'm thinking about all the time. The 1980 graduating class of St. Raphael was the sum total of his Seasons in the Sun! I will never forget you!
Cindy Verbiak
January 25, 2013
Fr. Callahan was a great man and a born leader. Our family has belonged to St Raphael's Church for nearly 50 years. We have both celebrated and mourned in that church over the years, and it still feels like home when I visit. My fondest memory of Fr. Callahan will always be the way he welcomed the college students home every Christmas. I'll never forget that feeling, standing among our friends and family, everyone clapping and welcoming us home. He had such a unique way of reaching out and touching all our lives, young and old. I still find myself "thinking about, what I'm thinking about, what I'm thinking about". Today, I'm thinking about you and remembering it all so fondly. God speed, Fr Callahan. Lead the way for the rest of us, again.
Julie Pochatek Packer
January 24, 2013
Fr. Callahan came to St. Raphael to be pastor during my grade school years there. He once recommended Richard McBrien's textbook on catholicism to me, saying, "it's all there!" You were a true pastor, Father. I'll never forget your talks to our 8th grade religion class, and how you played Pete Seeger's "Little Boxes" to remind us not to live that way. Much love and Godspeed.
Mary DuMont Brower
January 24, 2013
I and my family attended St Raphael's Parish in Bay Village, Ohio from 1969 thru 1977. We loved Bay Village and we loved St Raphael's. Fr. Callahan was a shining beacon to all. How many times have you heard your fellow Christians say I love going to church every Sunday. It was that way with Fr. Callahan. We would always try to find out what mass Fr. Callahan would be saying and we would try to go to his mass. If we could not arrange to get to his mass, we would still get spiritual satisfaction from the Associate Pastors. It was a great Team Effort. We have not experienced such excellence since leaving Bay Village. May the soul of Fr. Callahan rest in eternal peace.
Jim & Helen Manning
January 23, 2013
I have never forgotten my theology lectures with Father Callahan at St John College. I am grateful to have known him.
Toni Zaremba Pestro
January 21, 2013
I was one of Father's athletes from St. Agatha my name is Don Murphy graduated from Holy Name in 1967 I credit Father for many things that fused a positive sense of worth in my life THANK YOU FATHER I will miss you
Talmadge Murphy
January 21, 2013
My sympathies are extended to Fr. Callahan's family. He gave me encouragement during a very hard time in my life when I was diagnosed with cancer and had four small children to care for. That was 35 years ago. I have always thought of him and thanked God for his presence in my life.
Lucy Mattes
January 20, 2013
You were a positive loving kindhearted Father to many. You will be missed.
Aimee Gardner-Thompson
January 20, 2013
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Fr. Callahan. I was blessed to have known him as a student of St. John College in the 70's when he was chaplain there and taught theology. He was so kind and good~a very gentle man who taught us to be more reflective and grow in our Christian faith. I will never forget him!
Rita Smith
January 20, 2013
Father, you were a great man! I will never forget the compassion and support you gave me when my grandmother died in 1977 and the comfort you gave her in her final days. You were a true friend to me and my family. May you rest in peace. You will be missed.
Michael Honohan
January 20, 2013
Loretta Pierce
January 20, 2013
Father Nelson was a blessing to so many lives. Love and prayers to his entire family.
Judy Buckley
January 19, 2013
I was a student at St. John College when Fr. Callahan was there on the faculty. He was a wonderful teacher and mentor. So lucky are all of us who knew him. My most sincere sympathies to his family and friends.
Cathy Hagedorn Regan
January 18, 2013
Thank you for all you did for us at St. Raphael's Fr. Callahan! You were a special and intelligent priest. May you rest in peace!
Andrea Kunath
January 18, 2013
As a member of St. Raphael Church, I always enjoyed Fr. Callahan's sermons. Every year he would give at least one sermon on introspection, a subject I reflect on even to this day.
Jeff Walters
January 18, 2013
Thank-You Father Callahan. You encouraged the girls at St. Peter High School to THINK, to REFLECT and to CHALLENGE our idesa and our beliefs so that they became our own.
Marie Couture
January 18, 2013
May God be with the family in this time of loss, and may the perpetual Light shine upon Fr. Callahan. Fr. Callahan did much for me over the years in both the spiritual realm as well as being a true friend. He will be missed.
Beth McCarthy Blasucci
January 18, 2013
Father taught us Theology class and we all loved him. He was a very good man and priest! He will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as he has been over the last 40+ years.
Linda Riggs Evancic
January 18, 2013
Thank you Father Callahan...You taught religion classes at St. Peter High school for girls..in 1967 &8..I still appreciate the 'philosophy you brought to us....I particularly remember you saying..'In life...always
'Think about, what your thinking about, what your thinking about..". wise advise . may your spirit..continue to 'Reflect the brilliance of God.."
Clara (Parks) Weber
January 18, 2013
A very special priest I am still thinking about what I am thinking about. It was from a sermon at St Raphael's in the 70"s C Vollmer
January 18, 2013
My condolences to the family. May your heart be filled with joy as your reflect on the precious times you shared. May you seek God's guidance and have the hope of his promise. (John 17:3)
G.C.
January 18, 2013
Rest with the Angels, Fr. Callahan, and thanks for your
contributions to Cleveland Catholic History.....
Shirley
January 18, 2013
My family has lived in Bay Village for over forty years. Father Callahan was a great priest to us and will be missed more than ever. God rest his soul.
Carolyn Peplin
January 18, 2013
Fr. Nels was a friend and great advisor to me. We shared many common ideas and interests. I give thanks to God for his priesthood and friendship. He'll be a part of my furure prayer life as well. Fr. Joe Goebel from California so unable to be with you all.
January 17, 2013
Father Callahan was well loved by all the student nurses at St. John college,including my sister Bonnie Quinn in 1972. The Lord called her home that year, having just received her nurse's cap. Father was able to provide spiritual and fatherly support when she became gravely ill. That is how I met him and came to request him to have her funeral Mass Oct.5th 1972 in our hometown Warren, Ohio.Our family was so touched by his presence and his words.What a good priest he was! In his homily he said of heaven: In heaven we shall know as we have been known and be as one with all those we have known and loved in life." Rest in peace Father, and thank you for sharing your wonderful gifts with so many,in such a loving way. You were indeed " another Christ" to all of us. Mary Ann Quinn( formerly,Sister Seanmaureen Quinn,SND.
January 17, 2013
Father Callahan was an inspiration to countless young people as a coach, teacher, mentor, confidant and a friend – my best friend ever. The Good Lord was kind to place such a benevolent person on this earth for the benefit of all who came to know him. God Bless you, Father Callahan.
Joseph A & Margarita Fridrich
Joe Fridrich
January 17, 2013
Father was a great friend of my youth. He offered knowing consolation that made all the difference - when my parents died within a few years of each other. I have never forgotten his kindness... and his belief in me when I needed it.
ps - His uncle, Fr. Mulholland, drove my dad to the hospital when I was being born.
Maureen Donnelly Hess
January 17, 2013
Great priest , and coached a bunch of bring your own equipment football and basketball players at St. Pats in West Park. Was a great friend to our entire family! Dan Fridrich
Dan. Fridrich
January 17, 2013
What a great teacher and mentor of the young people he was. Thank you, Father. My brothers and I will keep you in our prayers, even though we know you went straight to heaven.
Anne Fridrich Jerins
January 17, 2013
Father Callahan was such a kind, gracious, and "gentle man." We were blessed for so many years; he touched so many of us. He is now actually walking and talking with the Lord. It was an honor to have known Father Callahan at the Meridian.
Pat Duchon
January 17, 2013
Fr. Callahan was a great friend and first coach to a bunch of eager 7th and 8th grade athletes as well as a knowledgeable advisor to young and not so young adults.
Tom Musbach
January 17, 2013
Ffr. Callahan will be missed as a friend and inspiring teacher. His love of Cleveland and the Great Lakes made us appreciate our community. His warm and generous spirit will live on in the people he touched. We are thinking of you all.
Loretta and Dan Pierce
January 17, 2013
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