Archdiocesan Priest, Reverend James Moriarty, Dies Aged 91

EVANSTON, IL — Rev. James Francis Moriarty, Pastor Emeritus of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Evanston, died Wednesday Feb. 8 at the age of 91.

“Father Jim had a great love and loyalty for his family, for the people he ministered to, and for his brother priests," said Rev. George Kane, a former classmate and retired Archdiocesan priest.

“He was very organized and super detailed, and he had a great sense of fun.”

Born in Chicago on December 11, 1925, Moriarty attended St. Theodore School in Chicago. He later went on to study at Quigley Preparatory Seminary North and graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary with a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) and a Master of Arts degree.

He was ordained into the priesthood on May 3, 1951, by Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago, Moriarty celebrated his first Solemn Mass at St. Theodore Parish on May 6, 1951.

Moriarty served in the Archdiocese in a number of different parochial roles. He was Assistant Pastor of St. Ferdinand Parish in Chicago, (1951-63), St. John the Evangelist Parish in Streamwood (1963-70) and St. Mary of the Woods Parish in Chicago (1988-89) as well as serving as Pastor of St. Luke Parish in River Forest (1982-88).

In 1989, Moriarty was named Pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Evanston, and he served there until his retirement in 1995, when he was named Pastor Emeritus.

In addition to serving Catholics in parishes around the Archdiocese, Moriarty also worked at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for over a decade. He was a Delegate Judge for the Metropolitan Tribunal, and in 1969, he began working with the Catholic Conference of Illinois. Moriarty dedicated much of his work to the development of Catholic Television, as Director of the Catholic Television Network of Chicago from 1973 to 1984. During this time, he was a resident of Holy Name Cathedral Parish.

James Francis Moriarty is survived by his brothers, Thomas, Robert and Gerald Moriarty, as well as his nieces and nephews.

Moriarty will lie in state on Thursday, February 16, from 3 to 9 p.m., at Curley Funeral Home, 6116 111th St., Chicago Ridge. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., at Most Holy Redeemer Parish, 9525 S. Lawndale Ave., Evergreen Park, the archdiocese announced.