Father John J. McGuirk

Livestreaming of the service:

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church - Wall Lake, IA - Facebook site

or

YouTube:  https://youtu.be/_b_aB01sLAE

Tribute Slideshow can be seen here: Father McGuirk Slides

Father John J. McGuirk, 76 of Sioux City, passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at his residence at Holy Spirit Independent Living.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Noon on Monday, February 8, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, Iowa with Bishop Walker Nickless as Celebrant.   Interment will follow at Wall Lake Cemetery.  Visitation, with family present, will be one hour prior to services at the church.  Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is assisting the family with services.  Online condolences may be offered at www.meyerbroschapels.com  Livestreaming of the service can be viewed on the St. Joseph’s Catholic Facebook site, or on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/_b_aB01sLAE

John McGuirk was born in Sioux City, Iowa on March 5^th, 1944, the third child of six born to Marguerite and Benedict McGuirk.  He attended Blessed Sacrament grade school and Heelan High School graduating in 1962.  He is survived by his siblings, Macrina married to Bob Sudbeck, Sister Margaret, Joanna married to Larry Lindberg and Paul married to Mary Bueltel ; his nieces and nephews Sheehans; Julie, Father John  and Robert -- Sudbecks; Aimee and Steve -- Lindbergs; Laura, Ryan and Colleen --McGuirks; Kristina and his grand nieces and nephews Miles, Garrett, Jack, Rowan, Bennett and Harper He was preceded in death by his parents Marguerite and Benedict McGuirk, his sister Rosemary and his nephew Mark Sudbeck.

John entered the seminary at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN in 1962 and graduated from Loras College in 1966. He continued his seminary education at Aquinas Institute receiving a Masters in Theology in 1972 and a Masters in Religious Education from the Pontifical College of the Josephinum in 1970. During summers he studied at Creighton University receiving a Masters in Counseling. He was ordained to the Sioux City Diocese June 13^th, 1970 and celebrated his first Mass at Blessed Sacrament.

Father John loved his priestly ministry and the wonderful people he met, developing lifelong friendships along the way.  He served as Pastor of St. Joseph in Struble, St. Mary’s in Maurice, St. Joseph’s in Maple River, St. Mary’s in Remsen, St. Patrick’s in Sheldon St. Joseph in Wall Lake, St. Martin Odebolt, St. Mary’s in Sac City, and Sacred Heart in Early. In addition, he also served as high school teacher, counselor and elementary principal in the early years of his ministry.  He brought love and laughter wherever he went and people were drawn to him for spiritual direction. He was tireless in visiting the sick in hospitals and nursing homes and with his Irish tradition of telling Jokes, he endeared himself to so many.

Father John had a deep personal relationship with Jesus & the Virgin Mary and this relationship found expression in the Charismatic movement where he served as Chaplain celebrating Mass with a focus on the gifts of the Spirit.  His missionary zeal was empowered through the collaboration with his fellow priests in the Opus Spiritus Sancti Secular Institute of Diocesan Priests.  Through prayer, fellowship and shared ministry, the priests supported one another with a vision of bringing Christ’s love to the whole world.

Father John loved his family and never missed celebrating the holidays together.  He found relaxation in reading, golfing, rooting for Heelan and University of Iowa Football teams and travel.  The year 2020, marked his 50 years serving as a priest.  He died on February 3^rd, 2021.