John Augustine Sheppard (September 28, 1849 – 1925) was an Irish-American clergyman. Born in Carlow, Ireland, he was the son of James and Mary (Curran) Sheppard. He was a Monsignor, Vicar general of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, and Prothonotary and Domestic Prelate of the Papal Court.[1][2] He was the first priest in the United States to receive the distinction of Monsignor by Pope Pius X. He was also honored with the designation Prothonotary Apostle.