Obituaries

Father Kieran Rodgers, O.S.B.

 Father Kieran J. Rodgers, O.S.B., 81, a monk of St. Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002.

Father Kieran was born Oct. 25, 1920, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late Thomas and Celia (Mahon) Rodgers. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Lawrenceville and St. Vincent Preparatory School in Latrobe. He received a bachelor of arts from St. Vincent College in 1943, and a master of divinity from St. Vincent Seminary in 1946.

Father Kieran entered St. Vincent Archabbey in 1940, making simple profession of vows on July 2, 1941, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1944. He was ordained a priest on June 16, 1946.

Father Kieran worked as a prefect in the St. Vincent Scholasticate from 1942-1948. In 1948, he began an active career in the Archabbey’s pastoral apostolate, serving parishes in the dioceses of Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Altoona-Johnstown and Erie. He was pastor of St. Bartholomew, Crabtree; St. Benedict, Carrolltown; St. Boniface, Pittsburgh; and Queen of Peace, Patton. He also taught religion at Elk County Christian School in St. Marys. He retired to the Archabbey in 1995. In 1984, Father Kieran participated in a three-month Roman Experience Sabbatical for Pastoral Renewal at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. Father Kieran was a member of the National Honor Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights of St. George, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Gaelic Arts Society of Pittsburgh.

Father Kieran was preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers, John and the Rev. Thomas Rodgers. He is survived by a sister, Sister Mary Thomas Rodgers, S.C., at St. Philip Convent in Crafton.

Father Kieran’s body will be received at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Elizabeth Roderick Center, St. Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe. A viewing for Father Kieran was held Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and will be held Monday from 2 to 5 p.m. in the parlor of the Elizabeth Roderick Center A vigil service will be held in St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica at 7:15 p.m. Monday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund at Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, Pa., 15650-2690.