Obituaries

Chicago (July 10, 2023) – Rev. Michael S. Michelini, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of St. Adalbert Parish on 17th Street in Chicago, passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at the age of 78.

Michelini was born on May 14, 1945 in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Michelini was ordained to the priesthood on May 12, 1971, by Cardinal John Cody, and he celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 16, 1971 at St. John Bosco Parish in Chicago

After ordination, Michelini was assistant pastor at St. Aloysius Parish on W. Le Moyne Street and St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish on Central Park Avenue, both in Chicago.

From 1981 to 2012, Michelini served as pastor at St. Aloysius Parish, St. Fidelis Parish, and St. Adalbert Parish, all in Chicago. He retired in 2015.

Rev. Michael Furlan, retired archdiocesan priest and one of Michelini’s good friends, remembered Michelini as a very charismatic and special person. Furlan recalled his charming presence and how “he really lived life and he would walk into a room and the place would just light up.”

“He was willing to go just about any place to help people, or minister to people,” said Rev. Mark Canavan, one of Michelini’s classmates and an archdiocesan priest. He remembered Michelini as a good priest who was a very special person in many people’s lives.  

All funeral services will take place at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church of Our Lady of Unity Parish, 2300 W. Le Moyne Street in Chicago. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 14, and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 15. Following visitation on Saturday, July 15, the funeral Mass will take place at 9:30 a.m. and will be celebrated by Bishop John Manz.

Interment will be private.