Divorced grandfather ordained a priest in California

He’s shown above with his children and grandchildren (and, according to the caption, his ex-wife on the far right).  His surprising vocation is described in The Tidings:

Grandfather-of-three, Patrick Sheridan, was ordained a Benedictine priest during a July 16 concelebrated Mass at St. Mary in Palmdale with Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar, presider, and Abbot Damien Toilolo of St. Andrew’s Abbey.

Nearly 300 people attended the ordination liturgy. The offertory gifts were brought up by Father Sheridan’s daughter, Heather, her husband, James, and their three children: Kyndall, Cory and Kennedy.

Before entering the monastery of St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo in 2003, Father Sheridan managed several restaurants in the Antelope Valley and raised two children with his former wife, Ginny Jamison, who attended the ordination ceremony. The divorced, civilly-married couple received a “certificate of nullity” from the church allowing Sheridan to receive the sacrament of ordination.

Father Sheridan began his theological studies at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon, but finished his last two years at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. He is currently managing the abbey’s ceramics shop and assisting with the monastery’s new ink and toner online business.

“Father Sheridan is level-headed and, with community life, he is able to bring perspective and balance. His humor and approachability will be a pastoral asset to the abbey,” said Abbot Toilolo.

More pictures and details here.

Congratulations, Fr. Sheridan!  Ad multos annos!