Rev. James W. Kinn, pastor emeritus of Santa Maria del Popolo Parish in Mundelein, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the age of 94.
Born on November 22, 1931, in Chicago, Fr. Kinn pursued a lifelong dedication to the Catholic faith. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, later earning graduate degrees from DePaul University and Loyola University Chicago.
He was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1957, by Cardinal Samuel Stritch, celebrating his first solemn Mass two days later at Maternity B.V.M. Parish in Chicago. Over his decades of ministry, Fr. Kinn served as assistant pastor at St. Victor Parish (Calumet City), St. Bridget Parish (Chicago), Our Lady of Charity Parish (Cicero), and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish (Chicago). He later became pastor of St. Bride Parish (Chicago) before his long tenure at Santa Maria del Popolo, where he served as pastor for 20 years until 2002, when he was named pastor emeritus.
A classmate and close friend, Rev. Daniel F. Sullivan, recalled Fr. Kinn as a caring and sensitive shepherd, deeply attentive to parishioners in need, especially the sick.
Fr. Kinn was also a prolific author, with works including The Pre-eminence of the Eucharist Among the Sacraments According to Alexander of Hales, St. Albert the Great, St. Bonaventure and St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John of the Cross for Today, and The Twenty-first Century Catholic.
All funeral services will be held at Santa Maria del Popolo Parish, 116 N. Lake Street, Mundelein. Lying in state will take place on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral Mass celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Most Rev. Timothy J. O’Malley, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, will be the main celebrant, and Rev. Miguel A. Martinez, pastor of Santa Maria del Popolo Parish, will serve as homilist. Interment will be private.
Fr. Kinn’s devotion to faith, scholarship, and pastoral care leaves a lasting legacy for all who knew him.