December 22, 2011

A Memorial Mass for Father Michael D. Beatty, pastor of St. Simon the Apostle in Delhi Township, was celebrated Dec. 19 at the parish. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr presided. Father Beatty, 73, died Dec. 14.

A native of Dayton, Father  Beatty did his philosophical and theological studies at the Collegio de Propaganda, Fide in Rome, where he received his Ph.L and S.T.L. degrees. He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 19, 1964, at the Chapel of the Collegio de Propaganda, Fide.

Father Beatty received his first assignment as assistant at Holy Family Parish in Price Hill and teacher at Elder High School on Aug. 25, 1965. On Aug. 22, 1968, he was appointed as assistant at St. Ann Parish in Groesbeck, while continuing at Elder. In December 1970, Father Beatty was appointed to the faculty of St. Gregory Seminary.

From August 1973 through 1976, he was appointed to pursue fulltime studies abroad. Upon his return, he rejoined the faculty at St. Gregory Seminary. In July 1977, Father Beatty was appointed as one of the Pro-Synodal Judges of the archdiocesan Tribunal. On Aug. 21, 1980, he was appointed pastor of St. Mary Parish in Oxford. On July 13, 1992, Father Beatty was appointed pastor of St. Simon the Apostle Parish, where he served until his death.

Father Beatty’s wish was to donate his body to science. Therefore, there was no visitation or burial.