Father John Sullivan

Roman Catholic priest Father John Sullivan served the congregations of several parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston over the last 20 years. As a diocesan priest, he celebrated Mass and administered the sacraments, including Baptism, Holy Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Father John Sullivan also oversaw Catholic parochial education at three parish schools while providing leadership and guidance to a number of spiritual ministries.

For more than 12 years, Father John Sullivan served at Saint Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Melrose, Massachusetts. First assigned to the parish in 1999 as Parochial Vicar, Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley appointed him as Pastor in 2004. His duties at Saint Mary’s entailed the celebration of daily Mass throughout the week as well as Sunday worship. A key part of these duties included the composition of homilies that fostered spiritual growth for parishioners as they reflected on daily life with the light of Scripture readings.

During his tenure at St. Mary’s, Father Sullivan performed hundreds of Baptisms, funerals, and weddings. As the parish’s Pastor, he provided guidance to the parish school and religious education program, observing the rites of First Holy Communion and Confirmation celebrations for hundreds of children and teens. He also worked closely with the parish pastoral council, directing administrative and financial activities for the church, its school, and its ministries.

Despite his full schedule at St. Mary’s, Father Sullivan supported such initiatives as the COURAGE Ministry in Boston and the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Nebraska. He also served as Chaplain to the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia. In addition, he offered guidance to seminarians as Adjunct Spiritual Director at his alma mater, St. John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts.