Three new monsignors named for Miami

By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF MIAMI | In the first such appointments of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has elevated three priests from the Archdiocese of Miami to the rank of monsignor, naming each one “Chaplain of His Holiness.” 

The honors have been bestowed upon Father Jeffrey McCormick, pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, in Pembroke Pines; Father John O’Leary, a retired priest who serves at Corpus Christi Parish in Miami; and Father Edmond Prendergast, pastor of St. Bonaventure Parish in Davie.

The priests were informed of the recognition by Archbishop Thomas Wenski early in February 2026.

“They are being honored not because they are any different from the rest of the priests of the archdiocese, but because they are representative of all of us; of the dedication and the devotion that so well characterizes the clergy of this local Church,” Archbishop Wenski wrote in a letter.

The monsignors will receive the conferral of their papal honors in ceremonies at their respective parishes on future dates to be announced.

The following are brief bios of the newly elevated.

Monsignor Jeffrey McCormick

Chaplain to His Holiness

Born Dec. 5, 1962, in North Miami, Monsignor Jeffrey McCormick is the fifth of eight children born to a Quaker mother and Presbyterian father who converted to Catholicism in 1966. He grew up in St. Bartholomew Parish, Miramar, and graduated from Cooper City High School in 1981. His involvement in young adult groups led to his appointment as a "wisdom person" for the archdiocesan synod from 1985-1988.

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Miami on May 11, 1996, and first assigned to St. Louis Parish, Pinecrest, as parochial vicar from June 11, 1996 to June 7, 1999. Then he was assigned as parochial vicar to St. Andrew Parish, Coral Springs, serving from June 8, 1999 to March 15, 2002. He was assigned to St. Maximilian Kolbe, Pembroke Pines, as administrator on March 15, 2002, and was named pastor on April 6, 2003. He continues to serve there today.

Msgr. McCormick is a chaplain for Couples for Christ, an international Catholic lay ecclesial movement dedicated to renewing and strengthening Christian values. He also serves as a chaplain for Schott Communities, in Cooper City, for persons who are deaf or physically or intellectually challenged. Father McCormick is also a Life Teen national board member. 

Monsignor John O’Leary

Chaplain to His Holiness

Monsignor John O’Leary was born in Galway, Ireland on Sept. 21, 1944. He received his priestly formation at St. Patrick’s College, and was ordained June 10, 1967 in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland for the Archdiocese of Miami.

Father O’Leary’s first assignment was at Epiphany Parish, Miami, where he served as assistant pastor from Aug. 31, 1967 to May 29, 1969, and also as spiritual director of Lourdes Academy, next door. He was then assigned to St. Rose of Lima Parish, Miami Shores, as assistant pastor from May 29, 1969 to June 15, 1971. In 1971, Father O’Leary joined the Mission Society of St. James in South America, and served as a missionary priest in Peru until 1976.

On his return from Peru, Father O’Leary was named associate pastor of St. Edward Church in Palm Beach, serving from Dec. 17, 1976 to Aug. 17, 1977. He was then assigned to San Isidro Mission in Pompano Beach, first serving as administrator (Aug. 17, 1977 to June 27, 1978) and then as pastor (June 27, 1978- June 16, 1982).

On June 16, 1982 he was assigned as pastor to St. Mary Star of the Sea Basilica in Key West, until June 17, 1987. Father O’Leary was then appointed to the faculty of St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach in June 1987, where he taught pastoral formation and homiletics.

In 1990, Father O’Leary returned to his missionary work with the Society of St. James, and served in Villa El Salvador on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. In Dec. 2012, Father O’Leary retired, but continued work as a missionary priest. In 2018, he returned to Miami, and currently resides at Corpus Christi Parish, Miami, actively serving in the church’s Religious Education Program and parish community.

Monsignor Edmond A. Prendergast

Chaplain to His Holiness

Father Edmond Prendergast was born July 31, 1948, in Clogheen, County Tipperary, Ireland. He studied for the priesthood at St. Augustine College, County Waterford, and St. John College, Waterford, before being ordained for the Archdiocese of Miami in his home parish of Ballybacon, June 10, 1973.

The summer prior to his ordination he served as a deacon at Visitation Parish in North Miami. Arriving in South Florida after his ordination, he served as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Stuart, Florida, (then part of the archdiocese), St. Patrick Parish, Miami Beach (1974 to 1976), Immaculate Conception Parish in Hialeah (1976 to 1983), and St. Vincent Parish in Margate (1983 to 1985). On July 1, 1985, he was named to his current assignment, founding pastor of St. Bonaventure Parish in Davie.

Msgr. Prendergast has also served in archdiocesan committees, most recently on the Archdiocesan Review Board (2016-2024). He is chaplain to Knights of Columbus Council No. 12240.

 

WHAT IS A MONSIGNOR?

Monsignor is a title of distinction bestowed by the pope to diocesan priests. There are three grades of monsignors: protonotary apostolic, prelate of honor to His Holiness, and chaplain to His Holiness. The term ‘protonotary apostolic’ refers to the protonotaries, or notaries, at the Vatican.

Traditionally, seven monsignors hold this title in the papal chancery, although their work involves much more than notarizing documents. Monsignors of the highest rank outside the Vatican are called protonotary apostolic supernumerary, which means ‘above the number’ of seven.