Reverend Monsignor James J. Howard, Pastor Emeritus, Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Philadelphia, died on Tuesday, October 28, 2014.

Monsignor Howard was born on May, 19, 1925, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late James J. Howard and the late Veronica M. Sponard. Monsignor Howard attended Saint Patrick Parochial School, Pottsville and Pottsville Catholic High School, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor Howard was ordained on May 10, 1952, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John F. O'Hara, C.S.C. and named Honorary Preplate of His Holiness Pope Paul VI on September 24, 1973. Monsignor Howard served as Parochial Vicar, Saint Mary Parish, Beaver Meadows; Saint Francis DeSales Parish, Lenni; Our Lady of Angels, Parish, Philadelphia. Monsignor Howard also served as Faculty, Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill; and Faculty, Vice-Principal, and Principal Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia. In 1973, he was appointed Pastor, of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, and named Pastor Emeritus in 2000.

The Reception of the Body will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 9:00AM, followed by a viewing. Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor Howard at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 11:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Most Reverend Louis A. DeSimone, Reverend Paul M. Kennedy, Reverend David B. Machain, Reverend Monsignor Joseph C. McLoone, Reverend Monsignor Robert T. McManus, Reverend Monsignor James E. Mortimer, and Reverend Monsignor William J. J. O'Donnell. Father Kennedy will be the homilist.

Monsignor Howard is survived by his cousin and his friend, Sister Frances M. D'Alessandro, IHM. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.

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