St. Thomas Council Names Sheehan Family as October 2021 Family of the Month
-
October 23, 2021The Knights of Columbus St. Thomas Council has selected the family of Bill and Shirley Sheehan as family of the month for October.
Bill and Shirley have been happily married for almost 66 years. They are proud parents of 10 children: Bill, Mary, Tim, Joe, Anne, Cathie, Charlie, Claire, Kevin and John.
Bill is a retired teacher having worked in the field of education for almost 40 years. He earned a BA Degree from Boston College and a Masters Degree in Education from Boston University. Bill was an elementary school teacher for 26 years; then an administrator for another 13 years. Incidentally, over 200 educators, including the Superintendent, attended his retirement party. Bill also served our country in the Army during the Korean conflict.
Shirley worked on and off as an administrative assistant once their 10 children were older. She still found time to act. Yes, Shirley was an accomplished actor, playing roles in several community theater plays and musicals.
Bill and Shirley moved to Maine from Somerville, Massachusetts after he retired. They have been communicants in our parish for 30 years.
Bill was involved in the Men’s Group, and the Renew Program. He taught CCD for three years and in the RCIA program for 6 years. Also, he brought the Eucharist to homebound persons. He has been a knight with the St. Thomas Council for the past 17 years. Bill has helped with the spaghetti suppers for the St. Anselm College Road to Hope Walkers for 23 years. Bill also composed a prayer, known as the Bill Sheehan Prayer, that the St. Thomas Council recites at the end of each meeting. Bill was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector for 25 years. Bill’s most noteworthy accomplishment was his involvement in the Annual MS Walk. Over his 12 years of participation in the walk, he raised over $20,000 for this cause!
Shirley, as well as Bill, was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector for 25 years. Shirley was involved with the Ladies of St. Anne. For the past 10 years, Shirley has coordinated the online Prayer Line along with Adrienne Fontaine. She also facilitated the Life in the Spirit Seminar for 6 years, Shirley is also the Cantor for the Saturday 4:00 pm masses.
The St. Therese of Lisieux Parish is grateful for the many contributions that Bill and Shirley Sheehan have made for our faith community. We are blessed to have them as part of our family!
From left to right: Shirley Sheehan, Bill Sheehan and John Chandonnet