August 23, 1994
Father Joseph Abraham
Father Abraham was born on January 13, 1924 in Galena, KS where he also went to grade school. He attended high school at Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, AR; college at Cardinal Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, MO; and theology at Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, MO. Bishop Carroll ordained him to the priesthood at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Pittsburg, KS on May 17, 1951. As an assistant Father Abraham served at Our Lady of Lourdes, Pittsburg; St. Mary’s, Newton; and Holy Savior, Wichita. As pastor he served at St. Teresa Parish in Madison with St. John’s Parish in Hamilton as a mission; Sacred Heart Parish in Caney with St. Joseph Parish in Cedarvale and St. Robert Parish in Sedan as missions; St. Rose in Mt. Vernon and St. Louis in Waterloo; St. Mary’s Parish Chase and Holy Trinity Parish in Little River; and Mother of God Parish in Oswego and Sacred Heart Parish in Chetopa. Before his retirement to his hometown of Galena in 1992 Father Abraham served in his last assignment for four years at St. Barbara Parish in Chicopee and St. Anastasia Parish in Cherokee. He died on August 23, 1944 with forty-three years in the priesthood. Father Abraham’s Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Pittsburg and his burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Galena.