Fr. Robert McGinnity, Pastor Emeritus of Sacred Heart, Dies At 92

PALOS HILLS — Rev. Robert F. McGinnity, who served in parishes across the south suburbs and was pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Parish in Palos Hills, passed away Tuesday, March 16. He was 92.

McGinnity was born on Jan. 13, 1929, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein. McGinnity was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1955, by Cardinal Samuel Stritch, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 15 of the same year at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Chicago.

After ordination, McGinnity served as assistant pastor at the following parishes: Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Evergreen Park, St. Agnes Parish in Chicago Heights, Incarnation Parish in Palos Heights and St. Cletus Parish in La Grange. In addition, McGinnity was assigned as associate pastor and then pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Palos Hills where he served for more than 20 years. He retired in 2000.

Rev. William Gubbins, pastor emeritus of St. John Berchmans Parish, had known McGinnity since their seminary years. “He truly cherished his gift of priesthood, loved and served his people,” Gubbins said in a written statement.

Gubbins added that his classmate “sought the company of his fellow priests and had a lifelong loyalty to Notre Dame Fighting Irish.”

A funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop Andrew Wypych was held on March 20 at Sacred Heart Parish. Gubbins offered the homily.