Father John Paul Lucas, 85, of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Nicholas died Feb. 4.

Born in Cleveland, Father Lucas attended Ohio State University, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and Notre Dame de Namur University. During his time in the seminary, he regularly wrote articles for the Byzantine Catholic World.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1966 and incardinated into the St. Nicholas Eparchy, based in Chicago, in 1985. Father Lucas served parishes in Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara, California, before coming to Chicago to serve at St. Michael Parish in the West Pullman neighborhood.

In 2002, Father John was appointed English-language editor of the eparchial newspaper New Star, and in 2007 he became its managing editor.

He is survived by his brother, Donald.

Deacon Manuel Rodriguez Torres, 99, died Feb. 15 in Chicago. He was ordained in 1972 and served at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Roosevelt Road).

Born in Puerto Rico, Deacon Rodriguez Torres and his wife, Carmen, built a life in Chicago rooted in love for their family and commitment to serving others.

He was preceded in death by Carmen, his wife of 59 years; a daughter; and a grandson. He is survived by 13 children and dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Marie Alfred) Rathert, 82, died Jan. 20 in Muskego, Wisconsin.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1963. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest; a master’s degree in math education from Ohio State University; and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Sister Mary’s ministry was dedicated to teaching, pastoral care and social service work. She taught math at Visitation High School and at Trinity High School, River Forest, as well as in Milwaukee and in Omaha, Nebraska.

She then served her congregation on the formation team for the Sinsinawa Dominican Novitiate, as a provincial councilor for the Eastern Province, and as councilor on the Sinsinawa Dominican Leadership Council.

She worked in outreach and parish ministry in Florida, West Virginia and Virginia, and as a program director in Washington.

Sister of the Living Word Mary Ann Zrust, 96, died Jan. 22.

Born in Minnesota, Sister Mary Ann spent her first 18 years of ministry as an elementary teacher in Missouri, Minnesota and Louisiana, before serving as a principal in Minnesota.

She was one of the first in leadership for the Sisters of the Living Word, founded in 1975, and was again elected to leadership in 1993. 

From 1983 to 1993, Sister Mary Ann was pastoral associate at St. Mary of Celle Parish, Berwyn. From 1998 to 2005, she was the associate director for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of the Vicar for Priests.

She wrote two books on the history of her religious community and the writings of the foundress, Sister Annamarie Cook.

She spent the past eight years at Resurrection Life Center.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Sigrid (Lillian Agnes) Simlik, 97, died Jan. 23 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1949. She earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, and a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary University, San Antonio. 

She was a teacher in Maryland, Wisconsin and Illinois, where she taught various foreign languages in the role of lecturer at Rosary College.

She also ministered in Oklahoma, and was a hospital chaplain in Texas and Nebraska.

School Sister of Notre Dame Cabrini Ganz, 105, died Jan. 31 at Ascension Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Italy, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 84 years.

She ministered as an elementary school teacher in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan; as an artist, homemaker and community staff member in DeKalb, Illinois; Chicago; and Rome; and in prayer and presence at Marian Village, Homer Glen; and Advocate Resurrection Life Center.

Holy Cross Father Kenneth Michael Molinaro, 77, died Feb. 9 in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Patrick Elementary School in South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1966 before enrolling in the Holy Cross candidate program at the University of Notre Dame.

He entered the Holy Cross novitiate in 1968 and made his first vows in 1969. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1971 with a degree in sociology and spent the next two years teaching at St. Catherine Laboure School in Glenview. During that time, he received a degree as a reading specialist from the National College of Education in 1973. He returned to Moreau Seminary and was ordained a Holy Cross priest in 1976.

After ordination, Father Molinaro served as principal at Sacred Heart Grade School in Winnetka until 1981. He ministered in South Bend before being assigned as principal (1986-1998) and then president (1998-2000) of Notre Dame High School in Niles.

He then served in leadership positions in his community until he retired in 2021.

He is survived by his brothers, Joseph and Daniel, and his sisters, Anna Grace Riblet and Kathleen Carpenter.

Viatorian Father Donald J. Fitzsimmons, 93, died Feb. 13 in Arlington Heights.

Born in Pontiac, Illinois, he graduated from Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield before entering the community. He made his first vows in 1951 and was ordained in 1960.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history from Loyola University Chicago; a master’s degree in history from St. Louis University; a diplôme in religious studies from Lumen Vitae: Institut Science, Brussels; and a master’s degree in doctoral studies and religious education from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Father Fitzsimmons taught in Peoria before becoming a teacher and counselor at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1970-1988). From 1988 to 1997, he was a drug abuse counselor at Lutheran General Recovery Center, Vernon Hills. He also served as a substance abuse counselor in the Keys to Recovery Program at Holy Family Hospital, Des Plaines (1998-2001). In 2001, Father Fitzsimmons retired to the Viatorian Province Center, Arlington Heights.

He is survived by his brother, Robert, and his sister, Patricia Andreatta.

Notre Dame de Namur Sister Mary Lou Stoffel, 90, died Feb. 16 in Cincinnati.

Born in Chicago, she was in the 72nd year of her religious life.

Sister Mary Lou’s ministry as educator and administrator took her to various communities in Ohio and to Chicago, where she ministered for many years at St. Robert Bellarmine School.

After her retirement, Sister Mary Lou served her community in her ministry of presence and prayer, and in cheering on her beloved Chicago Cubs.

Viatorian Father Daniel J. Mirabelli, 94, died Feb. 21 in Moline.

Born in Chicago, he graduated from Fenwick High School in Oak Park. He made his first vows in 1952 and was ordained in 1960.

Father Mirabelli earned a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Ambrose College, Davenport, Iowa, and a master’s degree in American history from Loyola University Chicago. He taught in Peoria before serving as business manager and teacher at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1961-1966). After that, he ministered in Rock Island.

He is survived by his sister, Marianna Dituro.

Father James W. Kinn, 94, died Feb. 8. He was the pastor emeritus of Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein.

Born in Chicago, Father Kinn attended Maternity BVM School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1957. He also earned a master’s degree in math education from DePaul University.

After being ordained, he continued his studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake before serving as assistant pastor at St. Victor, Calumet City. He then resided at St. Bartholomew Parish, St. Bridget Parish and Our Lady of Charity Parish, Cicero, while teaching math, German and religion at Quigley North.

He then was associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle before being named pastor of St. Bride in 1978. In 1982, he was named pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo, a post he held until he retired in 2002 and was named pastor emeritus.

Deacon Charles J. “Chuck” Woods Sr., 84, died Feb. 1 in Naperville, where he had lived since 1990. He was ordained in 1987 and served at St. Odilo Parish, Berwyn. He was incardinated in the Diocese of Joliet in 1997, where he served at St. Raphael Parish.

Born in Chicago, Deacon Woods attended Kelly High School, the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn and the University of St. Francis in Joliet, and worked for Western Electric, AT&T and Lucent Technologies from 1962 to1996.

In 2000, he earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago and was a social worker at Joliet Area Community Hospice until 2007. He also volunteered at Edward Hospital, Naperville, and Morton Arboretum, Lisle.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; his children Chuck Jr., Nancy, Dennis and Patrick; and five grandchildren.

Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate Sister Mary (Mary Angelita) Remias, 85, died Dec. 28, 2025, in Warwick, New York.

Born in Chicago, she graduated from Our Lady of Angels and St. Mary’s High School before entering the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate in 1958 and professing perpetual vows in 1966.

Sr. Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Mundelein College and a master’s degree in religious education from the Archdiocesan Catechetical Institute at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York.

During her early years of ministry, Sr. Mary served in catechetical missions and family missionary visitation in New York, Boston and Pennsylvania, and supervised sisters in formation in New York.

In 1974, Sister Mary became the apostolate director for the congregation, a post she held for many years. She was also a formation director for postulants and junior professed Sisters.

In 1990, she traveled to Nigeria to help ascertain the viability of a mission there. That mission was opened the following year.

For 20 years, Sister Mary served as a general councilor for  the congregation. She also served as a local superior in convents in New York City and New York state and in Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Remias.

Father Edwin D. Pacocha, 89, died Jan. 24. He was pastor emeritus of St. Cornelius, now part of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish.

Born in Chicago, Father Pacocha attended St. John Berchmans School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1962.

After ordination, he was assistant pastor of St. Priscilla; St. Mary of Czestochowa, Cicero; St. Mary, Buffalo Grove;  and St. John Vianney; Northlake. He was associate pastor of St. Paul of the Cross, Park Ridge. He served as pastor at St. Cornelius for more than 20 years until he retired in 2008 and was named pastor emeritus.

Father Richard Yanos, pastor at Queen of Peace Parish in Chicago, had known “Father Ed” when Father Pacocha assisted at St. Eugene Parish as a retired priest.

 “He was a hardworking priest, and even though he was retired he was always willing to do what was needed at the parish,” Yanos said. “He helped with daily Masses, weekend Masses, confessions at the parish and at the school. The students loved him.”

Yanos added, “Among our parishioners, he was known as ‘Fast Eddy’ because his Masses were always short.”

Providence Sister Dorothy (Margaret Eugene) Gartland, 96, died Dec. 25 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Missouri, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1948 and professed final vows in 1955.

She taught in Illinois, Indiana and Washington, D.C., and was an advocate and worked in various parish ministries.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Immaculate Conception (1953-1955) and St. Mel (1969-1974). She worked at the 8th Day Center for Justice (1974-1986) and lived and ministered at Maternity BVM Parish (1986-2018).

She returned to the motherhouse in 2018 and in 2024, she dedicated herself totally to the ministry of prayer.

Sister Dorothy is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Kunkel, and three brothers: Eugene, William and John Gartland.

Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Sister Joan Kathleen (Colette) Fisher, 95, died Dec. 27 in Donaldson, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in 1948 and professed her first vows in 1951. 

She was an elementary school and Montessori teacher in Indiana and Illinois, including at Angel Guardian Orphanage.

In 1978, she founded the Daystar Program in Cairo, Illinois, to bring hope to people who were poor, elderly or otherwise disadvantaged, and in 1997, she was one of the founders of Sojourner Truth House for women and children in Gary, Indiana.

Sister Joan was also director of the Poor Handmaid Associate Community from 1986 to 1992. In 2002, she moved to the Poor Handmaid Motherhouse to minister to her mother, who then lived at Catherine Kasper Nursing Home. In 2006, Sister Joan was asked to become a member of the Catherine’s Cottage Supportive Community.

Felician Sister Mary Lourdine (Irene) Lachowski, 101, died on Jan. 6 at Mother of Good Counsel Convent.

Born in Joliet, she joined the Felician Sisters aspirancy in 1938 and attended Good Counsel High School.  She entered the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1942 and professed her final vows in 1950. She ministered for over 50 years as a teacher and principal in elementary schools in Illinois and Wisconsin. Later, she was active in Mercy Home Phone Ministry.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Helen (1942-1943); St. Joseph (1944-1949); St. Bruno (1952-1953); St. Wenceslaus (1953-1960); Ascension (1963-1971); Holy Innocents (1971-1972); St. Linus, Oak Lawn (1972-1982); and Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (1982-2004); and Mercy Home for Boys & Girls (2004-2020).

Sister of St. Joseph of Carondolet Virginia Anne (Mary Patricia) Fannin, 96, died Jan. 14 in St. Louis.

Born in Chicago, Sister Virginia Anne entered the community in 1948 and made her final profession in 1956.

Sister Virginia Anne spent her first 19 years of ministry working in education in Missouri, Hawaii, Alabama and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Viator Grade School (1966-1967).

She then served as a medical records technician in Michigan and Missouri, before returning to Chicago as a receptionist at DePaul University (1978-1979).

She spent the next 21 years at St. Viator school and parish as a religious education instructor (1979-1992), librarian (1970-1998) and parish sacristan (1996-2000).

From 2000 to 2003, she served at Our Lady of the Nativity as a receptionist and a volunteer librarian and tutor.

Mercy Sister Elizabeth (Betty) Campbell, 91, died Jan. 18.

Born in Wisconsin, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1955 and professed perpetual vows in 1961.

Sister Betty ministered in solidarity with the Latin American community in both Central America and the United States for more than 60 years, denouncing human rights violations, criticizing U.S. foreign policies that undermined democratic movements in Latin America and conducting consciousness-raising workshops about the effects of these policies on the poor.

Sister Betty received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Xavier College (now University) in 1960. She ministered at two Sisters of Mercy-affiliated hospitals, in Chicago and in Davenport, Iowa, before going to Sicuani, Peru, in 1962. During her 11 years there, she met Carmelite priest Father Peter Hinde, with whom she would minister and advocate for 56 years, until his death from COVID-19 in 2020.

Over the course of her ministry, Sister Betty and Hinde helped start Catholic Worker communities named Casa Tabor in Washington, D.C.; San Antonio; and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

She also returned to Central America, working in medical clinics in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras.

In 1980, Sister Betty responded to St. Óscar Romero’s call for volunteers to assist the people of El Salvador, and established clinics in the basements of two parish churches in San Salvador, the capital. While in El Salvador, Sister Betty met and became friends with Maryknoll Sisters Ita Ford and Maura Clarke, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan, the four American churchwomen who were raped and murdered by the El Salvador National Guard on Dec. 2, 1980.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Alban (Marjorie Elizabeth) Hermes, 98, died Jan. 18 in Racine, Wisconsin.

Born in Illinois, she professed vows with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin; a master’s degree in educational administration from DePaul University; and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Loyola University Chicago.

Sister Alban was a teacher and pastoral minister. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Sabina; Visitation; St. Thomas More; St. Patrick, Lemont; and St. Mary, Evanston.

She was also a pastoral minister at St. Mary Parish, Evanston. She spent the last 28 years of ministry at Our Lady of Knock Parish, Calumet City, where she taught RCIA, led Bible study and ran a food pantry as well as a meal site.

She also ministered in Illinois and in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Alabama.

She is survived by her sister, Ursula Zerbe.