Celebrating the life of Monsignor Richard E. Shirley, PA VE

Soon after his ordination as a priest in the 1960s, Msgr. Richard Shirley began passing out bologna sandwiches and apples to the homeless people of Corpus Christi. It was a small but significant act that showed how the beloved priest was a man of prayer and action. One nourished the other in his life.

This small gesture led others to follow his example, eventually leading to the creation of the local branch of Catholic Charities in Corpus Christi. His care for those lacking everything led to the Metro Ministry Loaves & Fishes, where he served as a board member for many years.

Many mourn his passing, and his friend Msgr. Roger Smith, pastor at St. Patrick’s Church, sums it up: “Monsignor Shirley was a best friend known by many for his kind soul and giving heart. He was just a genuine, generous person.”

Msgr. Shirley was his first pastor after he was ordained, and he couldn’t imagine a better mentor: “He was a caring and compassionate priest; he loved people.”

Growing up as the oldest of eight children, Msgr. Shirley had to cook supper when his mother was taking care of the younger children. “He was an excellent cook,” Msgr. Smith recalls, “he always invited priests over for Christmas and Easter.” And from childhood on, he loved the priesthood: “He would say mass for his brothers and sisters and the children in the neighborhood.” After attending Corpus Christi Cathedral School and Corpus Christi Academy, he went for one year to Delmar College before entering the seminary in San Antonio; he was ordained on May 27, 1967, by Bishop Thomas J. Drury.

While juggling many responsibilities and working in important positions for the diocese, he never forgot about serving those in need.

“When he was pastor at St. Pius X, there was a 17-year-old boy who got kicked out of his home,” says Msgr. Smith “When Msgr. Shirley saw him sleeping in the bushes around the church, he found him a place to live so that he could finish school. After his graduation, he went into the military and recently got married,” continues Msgr. Smith. “When he learned that Msgr. Shirley was ill, he flew from California, saying if it hadn't been for what he had done for him, his whole life would have been different.”

There are many anecdotes about Msgr. Shirley – from being notoriously late, to his memorable jokes, to his warm hospitality. He was always open to new ways of evangelization. Marty Wind was managing a radio station in Corpus Christi and playing the organ in his parish at the beginning of the 1980s. “Msgr. Shirley would always entertain people; he loved to cook,” he remembers. When he was laid off, Msgr. Shirley hired him as the Associate Organist of the Cathedral.

In early 1983, Wind invited Msgr. Shirley for dinner. Over dessert and a bottle of wine, Wind asked, “When will the diocese build a radio station?” Whereas the Vicar General would answer, “When are you going to start? Be in the office on Monday.” That was the beginning of KLUX-FM, which went on air in 1985. “He understood the power of media and how the Church could reach out through them to more people,” says Wind.

In the last 25 years before his retirement, Msgr. Shirley was the Pastor of St. Pius X, starting in 1986. “He expanded all the parish ministries,” says his successor, Rev. Paul Hesse. “He built a meeting hall, the youth center, expanded the school and remodeled the parish hall.”

He loved good music, so the choir was established under his administration, and a men’s club has been going strong for 22 years. Ecumenism was a matter of the heart, so he started the “South Side 5,” meeting with the pastors of 5 different denominations and preaching in each other’s churches. “He was a magnanimous character who could relate to everyone,” adds Rev. Hesse. Msgr. Shirley was also dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of young people. His example and influence led several boys who were altar servers in his parish to become ordained as priests.”

Msgr. Shirley inspired Rev. Hesse greatly: “As a young seminarian, I learned a lot from him – and once ordained, I tried to emulate his hospitality and compassion.”

The Vigil and Rosary Service for Msgr. Shirley will be on Tuesday, May 30, at 7 pm at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5620 Gollihar Road.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 31, at 11 am at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

A livestream of the Christian Burial Mass will be available for those unable to attend in person on the Corpus Christi Cathedral Facebook page www.facebook.com/CorpusChristiCathedral) and the Diocese of Corpus Christi website (www.diocesecc.org).