Msgr. Thomas McGread

Monsignor Thomas McGread, 84, died Monday evening, April 1, 2013. He was a resident of the Catholic Care Center in Wichita. A vigil for Msgr. McGread will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 4, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita, where he served as pastor for 31 years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 5, at St. Francis of Assisi. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Wichita at 2:00 p.m. Msgr. McGread was instrumental in teaching stewardship as a way of life for the Diocese of Wichita and throughout the United States. He was born on December 5, 1928, in Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, and studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College, Dublin, Ireland, where he was ordained a priest on June 21, 1953. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gertrude; his brother, Patrick; and his sisters, Mary Cunningham and Theresa “Teasie” McGread. He is survived by his sisters, Gertrude “Gertie” Croarken, Sr. Margaret Mary; and fourteen nieces and nephews. He served the Lord 60 years in priestly ministry. In 2012, Msgr. McGread received an honorary Doctorate Degree from Newman University in Wichita. Memorial donations may be made to the Msgr. Thomas McGread Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o Newman University, 3100 W. McCormick, Wichita, KS 67213. Downing Lahey Mortuary West.