Fr. Joseph Lynch, Pastor Emeritus of St. Albert the Great, Dead at 88

Caption: Rev. Joseph P. Lynch, pastor emeritus, St. Albert the Great Catholic Parish, Burbank.

Rev. Joseph P. Lynch, pastor emeritus of St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Burbank, died on Friday, May 8. A resident of the Bishop Timothy J. Lyne Residence for Retired Priests in Palos Park, Fr. Lynch was 88 years old when he passed away.

Fr. Lynch was born in Chicago on July 6, 1926. He attended Little Flower School, Leo High School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary. Fr. Lynch graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Master of Arts Degree in Religion. He was ordained into the priesthood on May 1, 1953, by Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago.

Fr. Lynch’s first assignment was at St. Gabriel Parish in Chicago, serving as the assistant pastor for six years. He also served as assistant pastor at St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield, St. Albert the Great Parish in Burbank, St. Agnes Parish on Pershing Road (closed in 1991) and Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Evergreen Park.

It was at St. Albert the Great Parish in Burbank where Fr. Lynch made his true mark as a faith leader, serving at the parish from 1978 to 1984. Fr. Lynch would be named pastor emeritus of the southwest suburban parish.

Before his retirement in 1996, Fr. Lynch also served as associate pastor of St. Thomas More Parish on 81st and California Avenue, as well as at St. Christina Parish on 111th and Homan Avenue. He was made administrator of St. Walter Parish in Chicago in 1999.

Rev. John “Jack” Sullivan, pastor of Mater Christi Parish in North Riverside, was Fr. Lynch’s cousin. He recalled Fr. Lynch as a mentor to many priests and dedicated to the people he served at his many parish assignments.

“Fr. Joe was extremely dedicated to bringing people to know Christ and his Church in the many years of ministry given to him. He was an excellent evangelizer.” Fr. Sullivan said. “Besides being dedicated to ministry, he was very involved with his family during this time, as well. He had a dry sense of humor and used it often, being a master of the understatement. He was more like a brother to me and maintained a sense of calm, no matter what was happening. He just never seemed to be ruffled.”

Visitation for Fr. Lynch will begin on Tuesday, May 12, from 3 to 9 p.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 15050 South Wolf Road in Orland Park.

The Funeral Mass for Fr. Lynch will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Wednesday, May 13, at 11 a.m. Most Rev. Raymond E. Goedert, Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will be the main celebrant, and Fr. John Sullivan will be the homilist. Interment will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.

Fr. Lynch is survived by his brother, John R. (Louise) Lynch, as well as his nieces and nephews.