Obituaries

Chicago, IL (March 13, 2019) – Rev. Michael A. Goergen, pastor emeritus of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish on Austin Avenue in Chicago, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2019. He was 82 years old.

Born on June 16, 1936, in Chicago, Goergen attended St. John Bosco School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary, both in Chicago. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill., in 1958.

Goergen was ordained to the priesthood on April 28, 1962, by Albert Cardinal Meyer, archbishop of Chicago, and celebrated his first solemn Mass at St. Cletus Parish in La Grange, Ill., on May 6 of the same year.

After ordination to priesthood, Goergen served the archdiocese in a number of roles. He was assistant pastor at the following parishes: St. Eulalia Parish in Maywood, Ill., Queen of All Saints Basilica Parish on Sauganash Avenue in Chicago, and Queen of the Universe Parish on Hamlin Avenue in Chicago. Goergen became associate pastor of St. Christina Parish on 111th Street in Chicago in 1980 and in 1982 he was assigned as pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish on 62nd Street in Chicago where he served for 13 years. In 1995, Goergen was assigned as pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish on Austin Avenue in Chicago where he served until retirement and was bestowed the title of pastor emeritus.

Rev. L. Scott Donahue, president of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, has been a resident priest at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish for several years. “Mike’s priesthood was invested in the parish and the people. He was a beloved priest and pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine, a prayerful man and very attentive to the needs of the people. He was exceptionally kind, compassionate and pastoral in his approach, a reflection of how much he loved the Church and the people of God.”

Visitation hours will be on Wednesday, March 13, from 3 to 9 p.m., and Thursday, March 14, from 9 to 10 a.m. The funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, March 14 at 10 a.m. All funeral services will take place at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 4810 S. Leamington Avenue in Chicago.

Rev. Stanley Rataj will be the main celebrant of the funeral Mass and homilist. Bishop Francis Kane will attend in choir dress.

Interment will take place at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Ill.