Rev. John Hurley

Father John “Jack” Hurley, like a true Bay Stater, was born on April 19 (Patriot’s Day), 1940 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Raised in Somerville, he was taught by the Xaverian Brothers at Malden Catholic High School. In 1961, he received his bachelor’s degree (History) from Providence College (Rhode Island) taught by the Dominicans.

He studied for a year in Munich, later serving with the US Army including a tour in South Korea. He then served for 15 years in the US Foreign Service with postings in South Africa, Germany, South Vietnam and the State Department Headquarters in Washington. During this period, he received a Master of Public Affairs degree from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

In 1978, the Holy Spirit led him to change hierarchies for which he attended Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland where he received a Master of Arts degree in Sacred Scripture. Ordained by James Cardinal (then Archbishop) Hickey in 1982 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, he served the parish communities of St. Francis de Sales (Northeast DC), Little Flower (Bethesda), St. Ambrose (Cheverly), St. John the Baptist (Silver Spring), St. Raphael (Rockville), St. Joseph (Morganza), St. Thomas (Northwest DC), and is now “in residence” at St. Matthew’s, upon retirement.

In 1990, Father “Jack” completed doctoral studies in political science at Catholic University, where he now occasionally teaches a course in religion and international relations. He provides pastoral support to the St. Matthew’s community in a variety of ways and, of course, continues to cheer the Boston Red Sox in his distinctive “Bahston” accent!!