Reverend Joseph D. Bowen, Pastor Emeritus, Our Lady Help of Christens Parish, Abington, died at Saint Mary Manor, Lansdale, on Sunday, November 17, 2013.

Father Bowen was born on March 5, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Joseph D. Bowen, Sr., and the late Marie F. Devine. Father Bowen attended Immaculate Conception Parochial School, Philadelphia, Holy Angels Parochial School, Philadelphia, Seven Dolors Parochial School, Wyndmoor, and Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Bowen was ordained on May 11, 1957, at Immaculate Conception Church, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John F. O.Hara, C.S.C., Father Bowen served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Elizabeth Parish, Pen Argyl; Saint Nicholas Parish, Weatherly; Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Reading; Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Chester; Epiphany of Our Lord Parish, Norristown; Saint Albert the Great Parish, Huntingdon Valley; Saint Laurence Parish, Upper Darby; Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Southampton; and Saint Anselm Parish, Philadelphia. He also served as Chaplain at Archbishop Wood High School for Girls and Archbishop Ryan Girls High School. Father Bowen served as Pastor, Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Levittown, from 1985 through 1989. In September 1989, he was appointed Pastor, Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Abington, and named Pastor Emeritus in June 2005.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Abington, on Friday, November 22, 2013, at 8:30 AM, followed by a viewing. Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Father Bowen at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Abington, on Friday, November 22, 2013, at 10:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Monsignor Paul A. DiGirolamo, Reverend Anthony W. Janton, Reverend Monsignor James T. McDonough, Reverend Monsignor Stephen P. McHenry, and Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan. Monsignor DiGirolamo will be the homilist.

Father Bowen is survived by his sister, Rosemary Wachinski, his brothers, Donald, John, and Paul, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.

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