Services Set For Rev. Gerald Mulcahy of St. Patricia Parish

HiCKORY HILLS, IL -- Rev. Gerald F. Mulcahy died on April 23. He was most recently pastor of St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills. He was 81. Fr. Mulcahy is being recalled as a kind, compassionate and generous man of God

Fr. Mulcahy was born on Oct. 14, 1936 in Chicago. He attended St. Frances of Rome School in Cicero and Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein. Fr. Mulcahy was ordained to the priesthood on April 28, 1962, by Albert Cardinal Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago, and celebrated his first Solemn Mass at St. Frances of Rome in Cicero, on April 29 of the same year.

After ordination to priesthood, Fr. Mulcahy served the archdiocese in a number of roles. He served as assistant pastor at the three parishes: St. Edward Parish on Sunnyside Avenue in Chicago, St. Louise de Marillac Parish in La Grange Park, and Queen of All Saints Basilica Parish on Sauganash Avenue in Chicago. Subsequently, Fr. Mulcahy was associate pastor at St. Monica Parish on Foster Avenue in Chicago, St. Mary Parish in Riverside, and St. Giles Parish in Oak Park. In 1989, Fr. Mulcahy was named pastor of St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills, where he served until his retirement in 2007.

Rev. Robert H. Oldershaw, pastor emeritus of St. Nicholas in Evanston, remembers his classmate as a very good priest who enjoyed music and liturgy.

“I’ve known him since Mundelein,” Oldershaw said. He was very pastoral and cared for the sick and people in need. He was just a fine priest.”

Rev. John P. Smyth, executive director of the Rev. John P. Smyth Standing Tall Foundation, also recalled his old classmate.

“Fr. Mulcahy was an outstanding classmate who was gracious and dedicated to his faith,” Smyth said. “He was a great seminarian and a fantastic priest.”

Visitation will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 27, with prayer service celebrated at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28. All funeral services will be held at St. Patricia Church, 9050 S. 86th Ave., Hickory Hills. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Lack and Sons Funeral Home in Hickory Hills.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fr. Mulcahy’s to the Priests' Retirement & Mutual Aid Association (PRMAA) are appreciated, at 4951 Harrison St., Hillside, IL 60162.