Newman's first full-time chaplain dies

he Rev. L. John (Jack) Hedges, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester for more than 60 years and the first full-time Catholic chaplain of the University's Newman Catholic Community, died January 16, at the age of 85. Hedges had retired from parish ministry in 1988 and most recently was residing at the Sisters of Mercy Mother-house in Rochester.

A native of Hornell, N.Y., Hedges completed his theological studies at St. Bernard's Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood June 5, 1943, and later that year was named assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ithaca. In 1948, he was appointed to the same post at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Brockport, and three years later he was named assistant pastor at Old St. Mary's Rochester. While at St. Mary's, Hedges developed a connection with the University's Newman Club.

"Hedges began his work with the Newman Club in 1955 through his friendship and association with Paul Tuite, who was the club's acting chaplain," says Father Brian Cool, current director of the Catholic Newman Community. "As the student club grew and after Father Tuite's death, Rochester Bishop James Kearney appointed Father Hedges in 1963 as the first full-time Catholic chaplain of the Newman Oratory located at 461 Mt. Hope Avenue (later to be named Catholic Newman Community). This year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of this appointment."

Hedges held the position at Newman until 1968, when he was named to his first pastorate at St. Charles Borromeo in Rochester. While at St. Charles, he served in a concurrent role as diocesan consultor, to which he was appointed in 1972 and 1977. In 1978, Hedges was named pastor of St. Helen Parish in Rochester, where he remained until his retirement 10 years later.

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