Rev. Robert E. Ferrigan, Pastor Emeritus at Sacred Heart Parish, Dies

The following obituary is courtesy of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Rev. Robert E. Ferrigan passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2015. Fr. Ferrigan was the Pastor Emeritus of Sacred Heart Parish in Winnetka and a resident of Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niles. He was 79 years old.

Fr. Ferrigan was born in Evanston on October 10, 1935. He attended St.
Angela School in Chicago, St. Catherine of Siena School in Oak Park and
Quigley Preparatory Seminary. Fr. Ferrgian graduated from the
University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary. He also
received a Master’s degree in Education from Loyola University
Chicago. Fr. Ferrigan was ordained into the priesthood on May 1, 1961,
by Albert Cardinal Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago.

Fr. Ferrigan served as Assistant Pastor at St. Stephen Protomartyr
Parish in Des Plaines (1961-66); Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in
Chicago (1966-70); St. James Parish on Wabash Avenue in Chicago
(1970-77); and St. Matthew Parish in Schaumburg (1977-83). Fr. Ferrigan
served as Director of Cardinal Stritch Retreat House from 1983 to 1990
and as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Winnetka from 1990 to 2006, when
he was named Pastor Emeritus. In addition, he served on the Diocesan
Priests’ Personnel Board for one year (1984-85), as well as Spiritual
Director at both Catholic Theological Union and Mundelein Seminary.

Rev. Kenneth Simpson, Pastor of St. Clement Parish, had been good
friends with Fr. Ferrigan for many years and considered him a mentor. He
reflected, “His own humanity really gave him a unique ability to
engage people in the depths of their spirit. His deep sense of humanity
was a source of his own passion and his great sense of humor.” Fr.
Simpson added that Fr. Ferrigan, “was a great fan of Thomas Merton and
spirituality.”

Rev. William Kenneally, retired Archdiocesan priest, was a great friend
and classmate of Fr. Ferrigan, who had known him since high school. He
recalled, “Fr. Ferrigan was an extraordinary pastor, someone who loved
the priesthood and was a real character.” He went on to say, “He had
a very distinct personality and many, many friends who are now
mourning.”

The Reception of the Body will take place at Sacred Heart Parish, 1077
Tower Road in Winnetka, on Monday, October 12, at 3 p.m., and Visitation
for Fr. Ferrigan will continue until 9 p.m. The Evening Prayer will be
held at 7 p.m.

Visitation will begin again on Tuesday, October 13, from 10 until 11
a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass for Fr. Ferrigan, to be celebrated at
11 a.m. Fr. William Kenneally, retired Archdiocesan priest, will
preside and deliver the homily. Most Rev. Raymond Goedert, retired
Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will preside in choir dress.

Interment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove.

Fr. Ferrigan is survived by several cousins.