Fr. William Gaffney, CSsR

Redemptorist Missionary, Long Branch, NJ

Dear Sacred Heart Family,

It is with great sadness that I share the news I received that Fr. Gaffney died September 13, 2020 at St. Alphonsus Villa New Smyrna Beach, Florida of leukemia.

He truly was a great priest and man who touched the lives of so many with his gentle spirit, and brought them closer to Our Lord. He will be greatly missed by all of us, but I can only imagine the joy and celebration in heaven as Our Lord, Mother Mary, Gloria and the many souls he touched welcomed him with jubilation!!!

We know our life here is only a temporary stop to our eternal home, and we look forward to seeing Fr. Gaffney again, and we know he will be helping us to continue to serve Our Lord through the Enthronement of His Most Sacred Heart, to build the Kingdom of Love on earth…

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Gaffney, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God…rest in peace

Peace in His Most Sacred Heart,
Lisa Morris

Fr. William Gaffney, CSsR

Father Gaffney is a Redemptorist Missionary, ordained 45 years.

He has given countless parish missions throughout the United States.

He has conducted Bible workshops, parish community experiences as well as couple, youth and family retreats.

Along with healing ministry, Father Gaffney has given 250 Marriage Encounter weekends.

In 1996, he was invited by the late Cardinal O’Connor to give parish missions in the Archdiocese of New York.

That same year, he became part of the Sacred Heart Apostolate, encouraging the enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes, schools and parishes. This led to Cardinal O’Connor consecrating the Archdiocese of New York to the Sacred Heart.

Father Gaffney’s ardent desire is that every person and every family center their lives in Christ.

He has a gift of touching the hearts of young and old alike.

Now stationed in the Bronx, he is eager to proclaim the healing, loving merciful presence of the Lord in our everyday lives.

Father Gaffney was also a pastor of nine years and coordinator of a retreat house.