Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. James E. Flynn, Dies
Chicago (Jan. 13, 2025) – Rev. James E. Flynn, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor emeritus of Holy Name of Mary Parish on 112th Street in Chicago, passed away Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at the age of 82.
Flynn was born on March 4, 1942, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
Flynn was ordained to the priesthood on April 27, 1967, by Cardinal John P. Cody, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on April 30 of the same year at Resurrection Parish on Jackson Boulevard in Chicago, which merged with St. Martin de Porres Parish that is now part of St. Simon of Cyrene Parish.
After ordination, Flynn was assistant pastor at the following parishes: St. Priscilla Parish and Resurrection Parish both in Chicago, and Our Lady of the Mount Parish (now part of Our Lady, The Mystical Rose Parish) in Cicero. He then served as associate pastor at St. Angela Parish (now part of St Simon Cyrene Parish) and Holy Name of Mary Parish (now part of Our Lady of Kibeho Parish), both in Chicago, where he was bestowed the title of pastor emeritus.
He retired in 2012 and continued to serve in retirement at Ascension-St. Susanna Parish in Harvey and St. Gerard Majella Parish in Markham.
Rev. Thadeo Mgimba, archdiocesan priest and one of Flynn’s close friends, remembers Flynn as a remarkable person who “was very simple, humble and had a golden heart.” “He was my spiritual father, my mentor and my friend,” Mgimba added.
Rev. Robert Gilbert, archdiocesan priest and one of Flynn’s close friends, remembers Flynn as a “good man and an even better priest.” Gilbert recalled how he “gave so much of his life in dedication to the Archdiocese of Chicago. He was very beloved by the church communities and people were always happy to see him.”
Visitation hours will be Friday, Jan. 17 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road in New Lenox and Saturday, Jan. 18 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Kibeho Parish, 1401 W. 112th Street in Chicago. The funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Kibeho Parish on 112th Street in Chicago. Most Rev. Robert Casey will be the main celebrant and Mgimba will be the homilist.
Interment will be private.