Fr. William J. Caffrey, SVD

Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept.24 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Riverside, for Divine Word Father William (Bill) J. Caffrey, 85, who died Sept. 13.

Born in New York City, he attended Cathedral High School there and Divine Word Seminary, Bordentown, N.J. He was ordained on Easter Sunday, 1959, in Techny, Ill., and served briefly in Mississippi before coming to Southern California in 1962 where he was named prefect of students and then rector at Divine Word Seminary, Riverside.

From 1973 to 1982, Father Caffrey served as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, Los Angeles, and also served as an LAPD chaplain. He then became mission director for the SVD Western Province, and in 1987 began 12 years as principal of Paraclete High School, Lancaster.

His service locally also included associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Lancaster; staff member at Verbum Dei High School, Los Angeles; hospital ministry at St. Jude, Fullerton; and rector of the Divine Word Community and Retreat Center, Riverside. 

Wake ceremonies were held Sept. 22 and 23 at St. John the Evangelist Church. Contributions may be made to the Divine Word Retirement Center, 11316 Cypress Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505.

Sr. Mary Barbara Carroll, SNJM

Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 25 at St. Mary Church, Los Gatos, for Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Mary Barbara Carroll (Sister Cecile Collette), who died Sept. at age 88.

A native San Franciscan, Sister Carroll spent 67 years in professed religious life, including 47 years as music teacher, classroom teacher and/or principal in Catholic elementary schools in California. She served locally at St. Andrew (Pasadena), St. Stephen (Monterey Park), Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua (San Marino) and St. Anastasia and St. Gerard Majella (Los Angeles).

She also ministered for six years at Villa Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz, and nine years as California Province Archivist in Los Gatos. A life-long fan of the Giants and 49ers, she cherished her Irish heritage and was known for her sharp wit, maintaining ongoing relationships and correspondence with friends, and her focus and determination with which she approached life and ministry.

Sister Carroll is survived by her sisters, Holy Names Sister Collette Carroll and St. Joseph Sister Rosemarie Carroll. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Ministry Fund, Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 907, Los Gatos, CA 95031 or at www.snjmca.org.

James J. Stehly

Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 22 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fillmore, for James Joseph Stehly, 85, who died Sept. 16 after a long illness.

He is survived by Mary, his wife of 62 years, and with whom he served as catechism teacher, usher and extraordinary minister of the Eucharist at St. Francis. Also surviving are their 11 children (including Father Jim Stehly, pastor of St. Jude Church in Westlake Village), 17 grandchildren and one great grandchild; and a large extended family including his two brothers, Fathers Tom and Mark Stehly, and his sister, St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Virginia Stehly.

Condolences may be addressed to The Stehly Family, c/o Father Stehly at St. Jude Church, 32032 W. Lindero Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91361-4270.