Obituaries

Chicago (April 26, 2023) – Msgr. Michael J. Adams, pastor emeritus of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish on 64th Street in Chicago, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023. He was 90 years old.

Adams was born on April 9, 1933, in Chicago. He attended St. Catherine of Genoa School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Adams was ordained to the priesthood on May 7, 1959, by Cardinal Albert Meyer, and celebrated his first Mass on May 10 at St. Catherine of Genoa Parish in Chicago.

Adams served the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago as assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish in Evanston and at the following parishes in Chicago: St. Margaret of Scotland Parish on S. Throop Street, St. Matthias Parish on Ainslie Street and St. Francis de Paula Parish on Dobson Avenue.

Adams was pastor of St. Gall Parish on 55th Street in Chicago for12 years and he also served as pastor at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish for 11 years. He retired in 2003.

In addition, Adams was chaplain at Amundsen High School and executive secretary to the clergy personnel board.

Rev. Ron Kalas, vicar for senior priests, remembered his classmate as “a very thoughtful man, always ready to do what he was asked to do, and he did that with charm and grace.”

“Mike was a quiet, very dedicated, hardworking, non-flamboyant, faithful and compassionate priest,” said Rev. Ed McLaughlin, retired pastor of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park. “Three times since he retired, he was called to administer parishes because of his competence and compassion.”

Visitation hours will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023, and before the funeral Mass, which will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023. All funeral services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 9235 S. Hamilton Avenue in Chicago. Rev. Lawrence Sullivan will be the main celebrant of the Mass and McLaughlin will be the homilist. Interment will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.