Rev. Jerome Parrish, Former Associate Pastor At St. Denis, Dies

CHICAGO, IL - A former associate pastor who was on medical leave for 12 years at St. Denis Parish in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood died at his sister's home on the South Side last week, an obituary from the Archdiocese of Chicago shows. Rev. L. Jerome Parrish overcame several health obstacles to be ordained into the priesthood in 2004 and served as the associate pastor at St. Denis from July 1, 2004 through March 23, 2005.

Parrish was born in Chicago in 1955 and attended Holy Angels Catholic School and St. Ignatius College Prep before studying at Yale University. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, according to the archdiocese.

"Rev. Parrish overcame many medical obstacles on his path to ordination," his obituary reads in part. "Originally on track to be ordained in 2002, Rev. Parrish had what was scheduled to be outpatient surgery to repair a torn muscle in his leg in March of that year.

Complications led to cardiac arrest, a stroke and kidney failure, leaving Rev. Parrish on dialysis and with neurological damage."

Parrish returned to Mundelien that fall and overcame two heart surgeries and the loss of his mother and brother to become ordained a priest.

A visitation for Parrish is planned from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Philip Neri Parish, 2132 E. 72nd Street in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 18 followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Bishop Joseph Perry will be the main celebrant and interment will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.

Rev. Parrish is survived by his sister, Addrene Parrish, and brother, Maurice Parrish.

Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Chicago