Fr. James Cunniffe

Cunniffe, Fr. James, SCJ A member of the Hales corners-based Priests of the Sacred Heart, died August 30, following a stroke. he was 77. Fr. Cunniffe professed his vows with the community in 1949. He started his seminary studies at Sacred Heart Monastery (now Sacred Heart School of Theology) in Hales Corners, WI, but went to Rome in 1954 to complete his STB and STL in theology at the Gregorian University. In 1957, he was ordained in Rome. When he returned to the United States, Fr. Cunniffe served at several of his community's seminaries. he taught at Sacred heart Monastery and was rector of Dehon Seminary in Great Barrington, MA. In 1967, he moved from academics to parish ministry. he was pastor at Sacred Heart parish in Walls, MS. Fr. Cunniffe also ministered at St. Denis in Louisville, KY, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Houston, and St. Joseph's in Holly Springs, MS, before moving to Canada in 1979 to minister at St. Rose of Lima parish in Toronto. From 1986 to 1993, he served at St. Patrick parish in Caledonia, Ontario. In 1994, he returned to the United States and took up ministry once again in northern Mississippi. He served the parishes of Holy Spirit in Hernando and St. Gregory in Senatobia. From 1998 to 20005 he was director of parish ministries for Sacred Heart Southern Missions. In 2006, Fr. Cunniffe retired from active ministry, but continued to live with his religious community in Mississippi. SCHAFF FUNERAL HOME