Bishop Joseph McKinney

Jesus Christ is Lord! May he rest in the peace of Jesus. I have been very blessed to have heard Bishop McKinney's many talks at the Notre Dame and MI Charismatic Conferences over the years! He passed away on the 1st anniv. of my dad's death - I will always remember him in my prayers! Praise the Lord!

Bishop McKinney was Father Joe to those of us at St. Francis Xavier in Conklin over 40 years ago. He never hesitated to accept an invitation to dinner with our families which totaled at least 14 children. It was always a good time to have him with us at a normal Sunday dinner, first communion or confirmation. Deer hunting with my dad and uncle was always a highlight for him in the fall with coffee and a slice or two of my mother's mincemeat pie afterward. Those are some of my favorite...

Isn't it somehow fitting that as the Holy Father closes the "Year for Priests" that this good and holy man dies. Humble in life and in death, he wasn't afraid of being identified with a work of the Holy Spirit. We rejoice in "well done good and faithful servant."

I am extremely grateful for the three significant roles that Bishop McKinney played in my life. The first and most fundamental was as professor at St Joseph Seminary. The second, also at the seminary, was seving under his direction on the Athletic Committee. And the third, many years later, was our years of collaboration in the charismatic renewal, especially on the planning committee for the first All-Michigan Catholic Charismatic Conference. I will alwalys treasure those memories with...

Bishop McKinney was a resident at Villa Maria in Grand Rapids, Michigan for awhile when my mom was also living there. He celebrated mass for the residents every Saturday evening and sometimes I would be there visiting mom and would also attend. They were wonderful services.

I also knew Bishop through the Charismatic Renewal. I know he is home now with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bishop is well, whole and dancing on streets of gold.

May God hold all of you,...

Bishop McKinney came to my parish of St. Jean de Baptiste in Muskegon, MI, to confirm me and the rest of the candidates in my class. I remember the choir was singing on the steps of the altar behind him instead of the choir loft, where they usually sang. Everytime I went to tell him my chosen name of Andrea, for St. Andrew, the choir got louder. He rolled his eyes and laughed and motioned for me to wait until they finished. He made a very nervous young lady laugh and put her at ease. He was...

Father McKinney was my 9th grade algebra teacher at St. Joe's Seminary. He was a great teacher and a wonderful friendly man with a great sense of humor. His thing to say when you made a not so smart statement was: "If it clears up cloudy today we'll have a nice warm frost." May he rest in peace.

I remember Bishop very well as both one of this students at St. Joseph and as DRE in the diocese when he came to administer Confirmation. His guidence was appreciated and I know he is in the arms of God. To his family, I can only say he was a good and faithful servant and thank you for sharing him with the Grand Rapids Diocese for all these years.

Fr. Tom, Dick & Mary Lu & family,
So sorry to hear of Bishop's death. He is loved by all who knew him. We have very fond memories of our times with him in the Charismatic Renewal. One time he rode with us from a conference in Chicago to Grand Rapids. We talked for hours and then I realized we didn't have any bread for the childrens' lunches on Monday. He said he would take care of it. When we got to St. Joe's, he went in and got two loaves of home-made bread. Made by the nuns. We...