Fr Robert McGinnity


Rest in Peace

1929 – 2021 

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Memorial for Fr Robert F McGinnity:


To “the nephew” and “niece”,
I met Father McCarthy when I was a nun in the novitiate at Saint Xavier, Evergreen Park. Father used to come and say morning mass for us and we thought he was a really old priest because of his white hair. Knowing his age now I realize that he was only 17 years older than us, 35, back then.

After I left the convent, Father and I kept in touch and he was a source of strength throughout my life.  He never shirked away from conversations where the church was at odds with the human factor.  our birthdays were three days apart and I would remember his after I received a card from him.  I would then send him a card that was three days late.  He often didn’t sign his cards telling me I could reuse them.  I’ve use that tips throughout my life in giving cards that are not signed with sticky notes on them.  At the lowest points in my life, he was there to pray with me and hold me up and assure me that God doesn’t forget you.  Every person should have a Father McGinnity in their life.  I was very blessed to have gotten to know him and for him to know my family.

Margie L Mostyn


He was a wonderful man. Always had a great Irish smile and kind words.  He will be truly miss.  God Bless!

Sheila Murray


Fr McGinnity was a magical human being sharing his gifts every single day of his earthly life. Father…may your beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.

Kathleen Gallagher


Wonderful man had many conversations with him over the years great man.

Thomas Filipiak


Father McGinnity was with our family from the time our son received his First Communion in 1977 through our granddaughters Baptisms in 2004 and  2009. Great memories!!
Rest in peace Fr. McGinnity!

Marilyn Noga


Father was with Monsignor. Moscow when I first came to Sacred Heart in 1976.  He was my all time favorite priest! He is in my prayers.

Jean Wronski


Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. Robert F. McGinnity, Dies

McGinnity was a retired archdiocesan priest and pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Parish in Palos Hills

Chicago (March 19, 2021) – Rev. Robert F. McGinnity, pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Parish in Palos Hills, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at the age of 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. He added that his classmate “sought the company of his fellow priests and had a lifelong loyalty to Notre Dame Fighting Irish.”

A funeral vigil Mass will take place at 7 p.m., on Friday, March 19. Visitation hours will be from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday, and from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 20.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. by Bishop Andrew Wypych while Gubbins will be the homilist. All funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Parish, 8245 W. 111th Street in Palos Hills.

The vigil Mass on Friday and the funeral Mass on Saturday will be livestreamed on the parish website: https://sacredheartpalos.org

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