Father Edward Sweeney

Father Ed Sweeney, the oldest priest in the Diocese of Amarillo and one of four Permanent Deacons ordained for the diocese who was later ordained to the priesthood, passed away July 9, 2024 in Amarillo. He was 94 years old. 

Rosary will be said at 6:00 P.M., Monday, July 15, 2024, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 2300 N Spring St.

Mass will be at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 2300 N. Spring St.

Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Amarillo. 

Edward “Ed” Sweeney was born on Feb. 10, 1930 in McCurtain, Okla., the son of Edward Sweeney and Margaret Dodson Sweeney. He was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McCurtain. 

After graduating from high school and college, Sweeney was a supervisor and an Electronics Technician with the Federal Aviation Administration at Amarillo International Airport. He was part of the first class of deacons for the Diocese of Amarillo, ordained Oct. 2, 1977, at St. Laurence Cathedral (now St. Laurence Church), Amarillo. Deacon Sweeney served as a permanent deacon at St. Laurence Cathedral for 10 years. 

After the passing of his wife Ruth, Deacon Sweeney began studies for the priesthood. 

“My involvement as a permanent deacon was my inspiration to become a priest,” he said in a June 12, 1988 article in the Amarillo Sunday News-Globe. “It was the same motivation that caused me to be a deacon that makes one seek the priesthood.”

Father Ed Sweeney was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1988 at St. Laurence Cathedral by then-Bishop Leroy T. Matthiesen.

Following his ordination, Father Sweeney was appointed Administrator of Holy Name of Jesus Church, Happy. He was also named director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Amarillo, which he served as director until July 1, 1996. On July 1, 1990, he was named a member of a team of Parochial Vicars for St. Laurence, put in charge of pastoral planning and oversight, with special responsibility for youth ministry. One year later, he was named Moderator of the Priests Pastoral Team at St. Laurence, where he served until Sept. 1, 1994, when he was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Teresa of Jesus Church, Friona. Father Sweeney was appointed pastor of St. Ann’s Church, Bovina on April 1, 1996 and three months later, was appointed the first pastor of St. Teresa of Jesus Church. He would serve at both parishes until his retirement from active ministry on July 1, 2005.

In a 1998 profile in The West Texas Catholic, Father Sweeney was asked what he liked most about being a priest… “Being in that unique and special relationship with the Church, the People of God,” he said. 

Father Sweeney said his greatest experience as a priest was the celebration of the Easter Vigil, calling the celebration “awesome.”

Father Sweeney was one of four Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of Amarillo to be ordained into the priesthood. Prior to his ordination and wife Ruth’s passing he was also raising a family. His children and grandchildren have many fond memories of holidays, camping and family picnics. Adored and loved by all his grandchildren, “Grandpa” was their place to go for hugs, laughs and wise words of Godly advice. You knew when you pulled into his drive, whether he was sitting outside in the shade quietly enjoying a book, inside with classical music playing or he was watching one of his favorite basketball games, Grandpa would meet you with his sparkling blue eyes, face aglow, and his big beautiful smile. Love met you as soon as he saw you. He knew how to love big and did it well. 

Father Sweeney was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth Sweeney; daughter, Mary Etta Sweeney Hodges; and eleven siblings.

Survivors include his daughter, Twalla Castilow; son, Carlton Werschky and wife Diane; eleven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. 

A special thanks to Care Cottages, Brenda, Diane, Angie and many other loving caregivers. Our hearts are forever grateful for the compassion, dignity, love and tender care you gave Father Ed. He loved you and we love you.