The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the passing of Reverend John James Gordon, I.C., 82, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Vineyard Inn Assisted Living Facility, in Seminole.  Father Gordon was a retired priest of the Institute of Charity (Rosminians) and a long-time pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish and School, Seminole.  His death followed a 14-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease and a steady decline in health.

Father Gordon was born October 30, 1942, in Belfast, Northern Ireland and was ordained for the Institute of Charity on June 9, 1969, in Waterford, Ireland.  During his 56 years of priestly ministry, he served as Director of Students for the Rosminian Preparatory Academy, in Peoria, Illinois from 1970 to 1973 and then came to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, where he served as Associate Pastor (Parochial Vicar) of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Seminole from 1973-1978.  In May 1978, Father Gordon was appointed Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, where he shepherded the community and its school for 39 years until his retirement on July 1, 2017.  He was a stable presence to students and families of the community and a champion for Catholic education throughout his active ministry and during most of the eight years following his retirement.

All funeral services will take place at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 11565 66th Avenue N., Seminole and are as follows:
Visitation:  Friday, August 22, 2025, 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.  Evening Prayer will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude the visitation period.
Funeral Mass:  Saturday, August 23, 2025, 10:00 a.m.  Bishop Gregory Parkes will be the Main Celebrant.
Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 5233 118th Avenue N., Clearwater.
Clergy wishing to vest are invited to bring an alb and white stole.

Expressions of sympathy may be addressed to the Family of Rev. James Gordon, I.C., c/o Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 11565 66th Avenue N., Seminole, FL 33772.

Please keep Father Gordon’s family and loved ones, his Rosminian confreres, and the parish community of Blessed Sacrament in your kind thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Complete obituary at this link.

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May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace!