The former pastor for St. John’s Church at Creighton University, the Rev. John Lynch, S.J., died Thursday, April 14, at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wis. He was 78.
Fr. Lynch served as chaplain at what is now Creighton University Medical Center from 1997 to 2002. He served as pastor at St. John’s Church from 1972-1985 and from 1995 to 1996. During his years at Creighton, he worked in multiple areas as a pastor, teacher and administrator. Other positions he held from 1972 to1995 include associate director of Development and assistant to the vice president for Hispanic Affairs. He also taught English and speech at Creighton Preparatory High School from 1961-1963.
Fr. Lynch was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology, a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in philosophy from St. Louis University. He attended St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Mo., after entering into the Society of Jesus in 1954. He was ordained at St. John’s Church in 1966.
The Rev. Bert Thelen, S.J., who serves as pastor at St. John’s and worked with Fr. Lynch, said, “When I came here as pastor at St. John’s, he was the first person I wanted to talk to because he was such a gifted and gentle and pastoral person and he was very helpful to me about being a pastor on a university campus.” Fr. Thelen added, “John was just a terrific guy. He probably will be missed by an awful lot of people because he had a real gift of caring for people and really listening to them and hearing what their real needs are.”
An endowed scholarship in Fr. Lynch’s name was established at Creighton in 2003 by Mr. and Mrs. William C. Graft. It is awarded to an undergraduate student who demonstrates high academic ability and financial need.
Fr. Lynch is survived by brothers James, Thomas and Eugene and sisters Catherine, Patricia, Mildred and Cecilia and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at St. Camillus. A memorial Mass at Creighton University will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 28.