Father William C. Mooney, a devoted priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine and the last of the Irish missionary pastors to serve in the diocese, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. He was 84.
Born May 2, 1940, in County Sligo, Ireland, to Dominic and Mary Mooney, he was one of 15 children, all preceding him in death. He is survived by 11 nephews and nieces.
He excelled in school and was known for his diligence and conscientious nature. However, the possibility of attending university was not a reality for working-class families at the time. At the age of 17, he traveled to England in search of employment, like many of his older siblings. When his father, Dominic, passed away in 1957, he felt a strong obligation to return home to Sligo to support his mother.
He secured a position at the post office in Sligo, where he impressed his superiors with his mathematical and writing skills. During this time, he began feeling a strong call to the priesthood. He wrestled with this decision, as he was deeply concerned about his mother’s financial well-being. After seeking counsel from his parish priest, he confided in his mother, who encouraged him to follow his calling, assuring him that the family would manage.
In 1961, he joined St. Kieran’s Seminary in Kilkenny. Throughout his seminary years, he spent much of his free time with his sister Helen’s family in Galway, a tradition he continued even after moving to Florida. He was ordained June 9, 1968, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny by Bishop Peter Birch of Ossory. His family gathered from near and far to celebrate the occasion, marking a significant day for their community in Sligo.
That same year, Father Mooney arrived in the Diocese of St. Augustine, where he dedicated five decades to pastoral ministry. His early assignments took him across Florida, serving as an assistant pastor in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Fort Walton Beach and St. Augustine. From 1970 to 1971, he served as master of ceremonies for Bishop Paul Tanner, often traveling with him between St. Augustine and Pensacola. In 1975, he was appointed pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Elkton and its mission church at the time, Our Lady of Good Counsel, before being asked in 1977 to develop a new parish in St. Augustine Shores—Corpus Christi Parish.
For 40 years, Father Mooney shepherded Corpus Christi Parish, guiding it from a small mission to a thriving faith community. The early years were a time of transition, with Masses celebrated in borrowed homes, garages and even the Riverview Club before Corpus Christi Catholic Church was dedicated in 1981. Under his leadership, the parish continued to grow, adding an administration building in 1990 and the Marian Hall parish center in 2001.
Father Mooney was known for his warmth, wit and wisdom. His deep appreciation for sacred art shaped the beauty of Corpus Christi, where every element of the church’s design reflected a call to discipleship. “Everything should have a certain beauty, particularly if it is important. I see every form of beauty as an avenue to God,” he said in a 1984 interview. His love for liturgical art was evident in the intricate mosaics and stained-glass windows adorning the church.
Beyond his pastoral work, he had a remarkable ability to connect with people. Parishioners fondly called him “the most priestly priest in St. Augustine” due to his ever-present black suit and clerical collar, no matter the weather. His straightforward nature, dry humor and deep faith endeared him to those he served. Even after retiring July 1, 2017, he remained active at San Sebastian Parish, where he wrote the weekly “Faith and Reason” publication and continued offering spiritual guidance, hearing confessions and ministering to the sick and homebound.
A funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Erik Pohlmeier on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in St. Augustine. Father Timothy Lindenfelser was the homilist.
Father Mooney leaves behind a legacy of faith, service and devotion. His influence is evident not only in the structures he helped build but in the countless lives he touched.
