Former Reverand at St. Zachary big on faith, family

In February, the Rev. Joseph P. McGinnity, pastor emeritus, helped to dedicate the new parish life center and gymnasium at St. Zachary Catholic Church in Des Plaines.

The $1 million facility culminated a three-phase building plan, begun under Fr. McGinnity's leadership during his years as pastor from 1981 to 2000.

"I'm so glad he had a chance to see it," says Jack Smith of Des Plaines, a deacon at the church.

It was the last time Fr. McGinnity returned to the parish from his residence in Palos Park, where he had retired. Fr. McGinnity died Friday at the age of 77 because of respiratory failure and complications from cancer.

St. Zachary's was the last parish Fr. McGinnity served during his more than 50 years in the priesthood. Earlier assignments took him to St. Linus, St. Hilary, Queen of Martyrs and St. Gerald parishes, while he also served as a teacher at Br. Rice, Good Council and Mother McCauley high schools.

Until his retirement in 2000, he had been a fixture in the Des Plaines community, serving as head of St. Zachary's church and school, while also playing a visible role in the city, serving as chaplain of the Des Plaines Police Department.

"He brought St. Zachary's to a new level, to the level it is today," says Des Plaines Mayor Tony Arredia, parish member.

Shortly after Fr. McGinnity arrived, parish members undertook their new building plan by renovating the sanctuary. The next phase included soundproofing the parish school with funds received from the O'Hare Airport Noise Abatement Project. Then the congregation began fundraising to build the parish life center.

Parishioners remembered Fr. McGinnity as taking an active role in parish activities, including in its school and sporting events. They also recounted his familiar closing at Sunday Mass, when he would encourage worshippers to thank God for their "faith, family and friends."

"He was very big on families," Smith adds, "encouraging everyone in the parish to be supportive of each other, as a family."

Within his own family, Fr. McGinnity remained close to his brother, the Rev. Robert F. McGinnity, whom he followed into the priesthood one year later.

"We came from a good Catholic family, and had active priests as role models in our parish (Our Lady of Sorrows) growing up," says McGinnity, pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Church in Palos Hills.

Together, they received the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin In Service of One Another Award in 2005 at St. Mary of the Lake University Seminary in Mundelein for their combined 100 years of service to the priesthood.

Visitation will take place today from 3 to 9 p.m., and again from 11 a.m. until a noon funeral Mass Wednesday, both days at St. Zachary Church, 567 W. Algonquin Road in Des Plaines, where Cardinal Francis George will be the main celebrant.