October 14, 1955
Msgr. John J. Butler
Msgr. Butler was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada on April 5, 1898. He attended St. Patrick’s School and St. Dunstan University both in Charlottetown. After one year at Holy Heart Seminary, Halifax, Canada, he completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Bernard’s Seminary, Rochester, NY. On June 4, 1922 he was ordained in Charlottetown and joined his brother, Father Francis Butler, in the Diocese of Wichita. For three years he was assistant at St. Mary’s Cathedral and then went to Seward with Stafford as a mission for ten years. In 1935 he was assigned to Sacred Heart parish in Pratt where he also served as auxiliary chaplain at the Army bombing school. Following a brief period as pastor of St. Rose Parish in Great Bend, he became rector of the cathedral on October 24, 1947. He was made a Domestic Prelate on April 30, 1947 and also served as chaplain to the Diocesan Council of Nurses and diocesan chaplain for the Boy Scouts. He enjoyed working with youth and particularly with the Padilla Club, an interparish organization for singles. Following his retirement on July 1, 1955, he returned to Charlottetown and died a few months later on October 14, 1955 at 57 years of age. His funeral and burial were in Charlottetown. “Msgr. Butler was loved by his brother priests and esteemed by the laity.” (The Advance Register, Oct. 21, 1955)