Obituary - Posted: 12/15/04
Rev. Joseph R. McGinnis
Msgr. Joseph R. McGinnis, 83, of Winona died Saturday, December 11, 2004, at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare of Winona.
Joseph R. McGinnis was born on July 21, 1921, to James and Martha (Schmitt) McGinnis in Caledonia. He attended Loretto High School in Caledonia. He studied Classics at St. Johnís, Collegeville, MN from 1935-1941; philosophy at St. Maryís Seminary, Baltimore, MD from 1941-1943; theology at The Theological College of the Catholic University of America, from 1943-1946 (wartime accelerated program); and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Winona on June 8, 1946 at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Caledonia by the Most Rev. Leo Binz D.D.
Fr. McGinnis began his ministry as an associate at St. Augustineís Church, Austin MN on Nov. 14, 1946. In 1949, he was sent to Bogota, Columbia to study theology at the Pontifical Xaverian University. He was then assigned as an assistant pastor at St. Agnes Church, Kellogg from 1949-1950; assistant at St. Maryís Church, Worthington, 1950; assistant at St. John Baptist de La Salle, Dodge Center, 1950; faculty of IHM Seminary and Dean of Discipline, 1950; rector of IHM Seminary, 1963; pastor of Holy Family parish, Fairmont, 1968; rector of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona, 1970; pastor Sacred Heart parish, Waseca, 1979; pastor of St. Maryís parish, Chatfield, 1987. He retired in 1996 but still served as chaplain of St. Elizabethís Hospital and nursing home in Wabasha, MN for many years.
Msgr. McGinnis earned an MA in Religious Ed. from Catholic University, in 1946. He was Diocesan Director of the Lay Retreat Association, appointed advocate and notary of the Tribunal in 1950; chaplain of the Newman Club of Winona in 1950; Papal Chamberlain in 1958; Domestic Prelate in 1961; and received an LLD from St. Maryís College, Winona, MN in 1965. He was long-time member of the Serra Club.
He is survived by six siblings: Mary McGinnis, Caledonia, John (Virgiline) McGinnis, Fargo, ND, Al (Maureen) McGinnis, Winona, Bob (Shirley) McGinnis, Austin, MN, Bill (Darlene) McGinnis, San Jose, CA, and Sister Martha Ann McGinnis, Rochester; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Dr. James McGinnis, a sister Rita Klug, a niece Eileen, nephew Mike and long time faithful companion, Patrick.
Services will be Friday, December 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Church, Winona, with the Most Rev. Bernard J. Harrington and the priests of the diocese con-celebrating. Interment will be at St. Maryís Cemetery, Winona.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 16, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home, Winona and at the church on Friday, one hour prior to mass. Parish Prayers will be recited on Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Services entrusted to the Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Winona.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com