Msgr. McCarthyA funeral Mass for Msgr. Robert L. McCarthy was celebrated Feb. 28 at St. Clement of Rome Church in Des Peres. Msgr. McCarthy, 92, died Feb. 22. He was a retired parish pastor and director emeritus of Catholic Cemeteries of St. Louis, where he served for 50 years.
Born in Farmington, Msgr. McCarthy received a bachelor’s degree in commerce and finance from Saint Louis University and then entered Kenrick Seminary in Shrewsbury. He was ordained in 1958 by then-Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter.
Msgr. McCarthy was appointed assistant secretary of Catholic Cemeteries, later referred to as assistant director, just one month after his ordination. In January 1973, he was appointed director, then known as secretary. He was named director emeritus in 2008.
Msgr. McCarthy also served at several parishes. He served as part-time associate pastor, St. Aloysius Parish in St. Louis from 1958-62 and Christ the King Parish in University City from 1962-67. He was resident chaplain at Nazareth Convent from 1967-68, then served as part-time associate pastor at Holy Innocents Parish, St. Louis, 1968-69; Christ the King Parish, 1969-70; St. Bridget Parish in St. Louis, 1970-71; Corpus Christi Parish in Jennings, 1971-72; and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis Parish in St. Louis, 1972-75.
Msgr. McCarthy served as pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Jennings from 1975-2000. He served in retirement in residence at St. Clement of Rome Parish in Des Peres from 2000-09. He later moved to St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood.
Msgr. McCarthy spent 50 years as a member of the Catholic Cemetery Conference. He was a tireless advocate of Catholic Cemeteries and wrote articles in a supplement of the Review urging people to visit the cemeteries. He also wrote on death and dying, including this point: “For life does not end with the last breath. We live the spiritual life of being born in the grace of union with God. Of all things made new, we are the most important, for we are born again in Christ into everlasting life.”