Obituary: Reverend Harry J. Meyer
Reverend Harry J. Meyer passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on November 10, 1939, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and baptized at St. William Church, Cincinnati. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, studied two years of philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Norwood, Ohio, and received his S.T.L. from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He was ordained on December 16, 1964, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Bishop Francis F. Reh.
Father Meyer received his first assignment on August 25, 1965, as assistant at Our Lady of Victory Parish, Delhi (Cincinnati) and to teach part-time at Elder High School, Cincinnati. On June 16, 1967, he was appointed Assistant Pastor at St. Aloysius on-the-Ohio Parish, Sayler Park (Cincinnati) and to teach full-time at Elder High School. On June 19, 1969, Father Meyer was named a Newman Chaplain for service at the University of Cincinnati. On June 3, 1970, he was appointed assistant at St. Pius Parish, Cumminsville (Cincinnati) while continuing in Campus Ministry for UC. On March 1, 1971, Father Meyer was appointed as Associate Pastor at Assumption Parish, Walnut Hills (Cincinnati). On June 15, 1972, Father Meyer was appointed to St. Leo Parish, North Fairmount (Cincinnati), Our Lady of Presentation of the BVM Parish, English Woods (Cincinnati), and St. Monica, Clifton (Cincinnati), while continuing in Campus Ministry. On June 20, 1973, he was appointed Director of the U.C. Newman Center and on June 20, 1975, he was appointed Director of Campus Ministry for the Archdiocese. On July 28, 1975, Father Meyer was appointed associate at St. George Parish, Clifton (Cincinnati), while continuing to act as associate ad cautellam, at St. Monica. In June 1978 Father Meyer was released from his duties in Campus Ministry to pursue summer studies at the University of San Francisco in the field of theology. On September 4, 1978, he was appointed associate at St. Andrew Parish, Avondale (Cincinnati). On January 15, 1979, he was appointed Administrator pro-tem of St. Andrew Parish, and on April 27, 1979, he was appointed Pastor of St. Andrew Parish. On November 14, 1988, Father Meyer was appointed temporary Administrator of St. Susanna Parish, Mason. On August 24, 1989, he was appointed pastor of St. Susanna Parish where he served until 2005. During his years of ministry Father Meyer was also sent for a year of study at the National Center for Campus Ministry in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was elected as Chairperson of the Association of Cincinnati priests, served on the Board of Trustees of the Newman Foundation of Cincinnati, Inc., agreed to take care of the sacramental responsibilities of St. Joseph Parish, North Bend (Cincinnati) while under the pastorate of Father Joseph Robinson, and along with Father William Williams, served as Chaplain to the Cincinnati Workhouse. Father Meyer retired from active ministry on July 1, 2005.
Reception of the Body: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Susanna Church, 616 Reading Road, Mason, Ohio 45040; 513-398-3821. Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend Philip O. Seher. Visitation: following Reception of the Body until 5:45 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Susanna Church. Celebrant: Reverend Philip O. Seher. Homilist: Reverend James W. Meade. Celebration of Life: Immediately following the Mass at the Meyer Center (located behind St. Susanna School).
Burial: Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Old Cemetery, 3819 West 8th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205. Celebrant: Reverend Michael A. Savino.