Entertainer Bob Hope died a Catholic, according to Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles.

“One of my greatest joys is knowing that Bob Hope died as a Catholic,” Cardinal Mahony said in a July 28 statement.

“Over the years I would invite him to join the church, but he would respond in his typical humor, ‘My wife, Dolores, does enough praying to take care of both of us.’ But eventually her prayers prevailed and he was baptized into the Catholic Church and was strengthened these past years through the regular reception of holy Communion.”

Hope was 100 when he died July 27 at his home in Toluca Lake outside Los Angeles.

Although he became a Catholic after retiring from show business—his last NBC special was in 1996, when Hope was 93—the comic and actor was long associated with Catholic endeavors nationwide, often in partnership with his wife, a lifelong Catholic.

One such endeavor was the Our Lady of Hope Chapel at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, made possible by contributions from the couple. Joking for reporters before the dedication of the chapel in May 1994, Hope said, “My face has helped me with my marriage and my career—I mean my faith. ... My faith has helped me in every way in my life.”

The fifth of seven sons, he was born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, England, on May 29, 1903. In 1907 Leslie’s father brought the family to Cleveland.

Hope’s generosity was as long-lasting as his career.

He was one of 100 celebrities to contribute prizes on actor Don Ameche’s behalf to help a 1949 building drive at Ameche’s childhood parish, All Saints in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In 1999, a half-century later, Bob and Dolores Hope matched actor Paul Newman’s $250,000 donation to Catholic Relief Services to assist Kosovar refugees.

 

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Fr. William Quinn

St. Louis de Montfort pastor

Father William J. Quinn, 69, pastor of St. Louis de Montfort Parish in Oak Lawn since 1983, died July 20, at Little Company of Mary Hospital following treatment for cancer.

Father Quinn was educated at St. Gabriel School in Chicago before entering Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein and was ordained in 1959.

He served in four parishes as an associate pastor before being named pastor of St. Louis de Montfort in 1983. His first assignment was on Chicago’s South Side at Our Lady of Peace Parish, where he served from 1959-1966. He was associate pastor at St. Adrian Parish from 1966-1972, Christ the King from 1972-1980, and St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn from 1980-1983.

Throughout his ministry Father Quinn was involved in parish renewal, permanent diaconate formation and social service outreach. He was the director of formation for laymen preparing to be permanent deacons for 12 years, mostly in the 1970s.

He brought justice issues to the forefront, encouraging parishioners to minister at shelters for women and children. He is survived by his sister, Sister Donna Quinn, OP.

Fr. John Beretta

Teacher/mindzenty director

Augustinian Father John Beretta, 83, died July 20 following a short illness. A native of Den Haag, Holland, he joined the Augustinians in Holland in 1940. He professed permanent vows in 1944 and was ordained in 1945. He was sent to the U.S. in 1952 to teach at Chicago’s St. Rita High School. He was director of the Cardinal Mindzenty Foundation chapter in Chicago in the 1950s. He was an instructor and PR director at Tolentine College, Olympia Fields and became the first director of Tolentine Center, a retreat and resource center for faith development. He later was assigned to parishes in Canada.

Mr. Douglas Kennedy

ambassador of mary

Douglas Kennedy, 82, died July 20. A Chicago native, he traveled around the Chicago area for more than 40 years with the Pilgrim Virgin of Our Lady of Fatima as one of the Ambassadors of Mary. With several men he would bring the statue to a home, pray the rosary, leave the statue for a week, and then drive it to another location. He served in the Navy during World War II on the USS Birmingham. He had been a plumber in Chicago. At the time of his death Mr. Kennedy was treasurer of the Ambassadors of Mary and a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Lisle.

Sr. Maryanne McSweeney

Educator

BVM Sister of Charity Maryanne McSweeney, 84, died July 13. A Chicago native, she entered the Sisters of Charity in 1937. She taught music in several states. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady Help of Christians School, 1960, and St. Cornelius School, 1969-79. She also lectured in music education at Truman College from 1980-94.

Sr. Julia Marie Tvrdik

Musician, teacher

School Sister of St. Francis Julia Marie Tvrdik, 100, died June 29. A native of Milwaukee, she was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1927 and was professed in 1933. She lived her religious ministry as a musician and teacher, serving in several states. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served as a homemaker at Alvernia High School Convent from 1928-32. She later taught at St. Alphonsus, Lemont, from 1935-37, and at Immaculate Conception, Chicago, from 1943-44.

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