Msgr. John Sweeney Papers

Msgr. John Sweeney (December 19, 1915 – August 12, 2007) attended the College of St. Thomas and the Saint Paul Seminary where he was ordained a priest May 31, 1941.  Msgr. Sweeney  became a chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul where his love for youth ministry first began. He was known for his long history of working with young people and his love for music. He served as director of the newly founded Catholic Youth Center and went on to establish the Catholic Youth Center Camp on Big Sandy Lake near McGregor, MN.

Msgr. Sweeney served as chair of the music department at the Saint Paul Seminary from 1955 - 1977 where he taught music and directed the seminary choir.  He also directed the Cathedral Choir and held the position of Vice Rector of the Seminary at various points during his role as chair of the music department. He also was head of the Archdiocesan Sacred Music Commission and would later go on to become Pastor at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Mound, MN, from 1977 - 1987. After retiring, he served the people of St. Pascal Baylon until 1995 and finally moved to the Leo Byrne Residence where he assisted neighboring parishes until 2003.