Father Michael Guinan

Rev. Michael Guinan, 88, died on Saturday, November 21, 2015, in Great Falls. He served as a priest of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings for 62 years. Visitation will be held at O’Connor Funeral Home, 2425 8th Ave. North, Great Falls, on Friday, November 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., as well as at St. Ann’s for one hour before the Vigil. The Vigil will be held at St. Ann’s Cathedral on Friday, November 27, at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday morning, November 28, at 10:00 a.m., also at St. Ann’s Cathedral. Burial will take place immediately after the Mass in Mount Olivet Cemetery. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Father Guinan was raised in County Tipperary, Ireland, where he received his vocation to the priesthood. He studied at St. Patrick Seminary College in Thurles, Ireland, and was ordained as a priest on June 14, 1953, along with two other priests assigned to the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Father Patrick Tarrant and Father Joseph McDermott. He came to Montana and was assigned to serve as an associate priest in Sidney for two years. He served as an assistant at St. Patrick Church in Billings in 1955. In 1956, he was assigned as administrator of Sacred Heart Church in Terry, and as pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church in Ekalaka in 1957. In 1959, he was assigned as administrator of St. Philip Church in Wibaux and served there for nine years. In 1968, he was assigned as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Wolf Point, where he served for six years. In 1974, he was assigned to serve as pastor of St. Mary Church in Livingston until 1978, when he was granted a sabbatical year for continued education. He returned to ministry in 1979, and was assigned as pastor of St. Anthony Church in Laurel, the same year that he was appointed as a diocesan Consultor. In 1985, he returned to St. Mary Church in Livingston as pastor. In 1987, he was assigned as rector of St. Ann’s Cathedral; he served there for seven years until his retirement in 1994. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence and Mary Bridget; brothers Frank, Geoff, Kevin; sisters, Mai Kinsella, Rita Walsh and Sister Lawrence (Sister of St. Joseph of Peace). Memorials are suggested to, St. MartinedePorres, PO Box 141, Great Falls, MT 59403 or Priests Pension Fund, PO Box 1399, Great Falls, MT 59403. He is survived by a sister, Kathleen Cleary; a brother, Paddy; and numerous nieces and nephews.