Pastor - St John Neumann Parish

REV. JOHN F. FRIEL
Pastor, St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church

Father Friel was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended St. Columba's School and graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1960. After working as a Teamster and attending West Chester State College, he entered the religious congregation of the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales to study for the Catholic priesthood.

He received a Bachelor of Arts from Niagara University and taught at Oblate High Schools in Niagara Falls, NY and Philadelphia, PA. He completed graduate theological studies at DeSales Hall School of Theology in Hyattsville, MD and was ordained in September 1970. He holds a Masters Degree in Management from Webster University and a certificate of Advanced Professional Studies from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA..

He was commissioned an Ensign in the Theological School Program in January 1970 and began extended active duty as a Lieutenant in the Navy Chaplain Corps in July 1972. He served as circuit riding chaplain for naval gunfire support units in Vietnam. Subsequent assignments were 1st Marine Brigade, Kaneohe Bay, HI; Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, AZ; USS MIDWAY (CV-41) forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan; 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA; Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, HI; Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. He then served as Chaplain Corps assignment and placement officer at the Naval Military Personnel Command in Washington and as Force Chaplain for the Naval Surface Force, Atlantic Fleet, in Norfolk, VA. Beginning in September, 1993 he served for four years as the Senior Chaplain at the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and then for two years as Senior Chaplain of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA..

He was awarded the Legion of Merit three times and the Meritorious Service Medal twice. Other awards and decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal; the Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards); Navy "E" ribbon; the National Defense Service Medal (2 stars); Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Father Friel retired from the Naval Service with the rank of Captain in March 1999 and accepted the responsibility as founding President of Yuma Catholic High School. He was appointed Pastor of St. John Neumann in August, 2003.

Father Friel enjoys reading and golf and holds a private pilot's license.