Reverend John F. Harvey

Rev. John F. Harvey
Reverend John F. Harvey, OSFS, 92, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales for 73 years, died of natural causes on Monday, December 27, 2010, at Union Hospital in Elkton, MD.A noted moral theologian, Fr. Harvey founded Courage, a ministry to homosexual women and men in the Catholic Church that has grown to establish more than 100 chapters throughout the world.Fr. Harveys commitment to pastoral care in the Church was tireless. Even in his later years, his travel would take him all over the country and world to offer a voice of compassion, Rev. James J. Greenfield, OSFS, Oblate provincial said. His work in helping to found both the DeSales School of Theology and Courage were examples of commitment to the Church that he loved so much.Fr. Harvey, son the late Patrick J. and Margaret (Harkins) Harvey was born in Philadelphia in 1918. After graduating from Northeast Catholic High School for Boys in 1936, he entered the Oblate Novitiate, making his first profession of vows on September 8, 1937. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1944, at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia by the Most Rev. Hugh Lamb, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia.After earning his bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1941 from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, Fr. Harvey continued his studies, earning graduate degrees in psychology and theology, and completed a doctorate in moral theology there 10 years later. Fr. Harveys ministerial assignments following ordination included serving as a high school teacher and college professor at Northeast Catholic, Dunbarton College, DeSales School of Theology, and DeSales University. He retired to Annecy Hall, Childs, MD, in January 2010. Survivors: In addition to the members of his religious community, Fr. Harvey is survived by his sister, Margaret Smith; and many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He is predeceased by his siblings, Catherine Egan and James Harvey. Services: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 31, at 11:15 a.m., at Our Lady of Light Chapel, 1120 Blue Ball Road, Elkton, MD, with visitation from 9:30 - 11 a.m. Interment will follow the Mass in Oblate Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oblate Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 87, Childs, MD 21916.