A funeral Mass was celebrated for Msgr. Andrew J. Cassin at St. John the Evangelist, Waynesboro, on March 5. He served many years in retirement at St. Francis of Assisi, Staunton, and was a beloved part of the community. He passed away Feb. 23 at the age of 94.
Msgr. Cassin was born Jan. 12, 1930, in Tullaherin, County Kilkenny, Ireland, to the late William and Alice (O’Keefe) Cassin. He attended seminary at St. Kieran’s College and was ordained on June 6, 1954.
Following ordination, he was assigned to the Archdiocese of Washington. He served many decades in parishes on Capitol Hill and in Maryland.
One of Msgr. Cassin’s assignments was as pastor of St. Pius X in Bowie, Maryland, the home parish of Bishop Barry C. Knestout while he was in high school and college. Bishop Knestout said Msgr. Cassin gave a positive recommendation to the vocations director when he applied to study for the priesthood.
Years later, Bishop Knestout would serve with Msgr. Cassin as a parochial vicar at St. Peter in Waldorf, Maryland. Msgr. Cassin served as pastor there for ten years, his last assignment before he retired in 2000.
Msgr. Cassin visited St. Francis of Assisi, Staunton, for Mass in 2001, telling then-pastor, Father John Abe, that he was inspired by the reverence in the liturgy. Before long, Msgr. Cassin became an assisting priest at St. Francis, celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, and teaching Christian formation.
In addition to his parents, Msgr. Cassin was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard and Jimmy Cassin.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all residing in Ireland; and his beloved parish family at St. Francis of Assisi.