Thomas Moran Obituary

Moran, Rev. Thomas, C.M.F., Died on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, IL, after complications from pneumonia. Father Moran was born on January 27, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois. The son of Thomas and Mary (nee Roach) Moran, he grew up in a family of four children on the south side of Chicago. Fr. Moran is survived by his two remaining living sisters, Joan McGoldrick and Marie Tarpey; beloved uncle of many. The fourth sibling, his brother Roger is also deceased. Father made his first profession as a Claretian Missionary in 1947, perpetual profession in 1950 and was ordained a priest on June 9, 1955. After his ordination, Fr. Moran served as a teacher and Principal at the Saint Jude High School Seminary in Momence, Illinois from 1955-1967. At the suggestion of his then Superior, Fr. Moran was assigned to mission in Guatemala, where he spent approximately 25 years of his religious life as a missionary. During his time in Central America, he constantly championed for the rights of the indigenous and working people of the towns of El Estor and Livingston. Fr. Moran says his ministry on behalf of the impoverished Indian families encompassed "the happiest and some of the saddest years of my life as a priest." He was instrumental in helping to establish and promote an elementary school for children who could not write or speak in Spanish, the country's native language. His work in advancing the cause of education resulted in a new Indian school being named in his honor in Livingston. After returning from Guatemala in 1982, and taking a 2 year sabbatical, Fr. Moran was then assigned to St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax, Virginia as parish priest from 1984-1990. In 1990, he returned to Guatemala for a second tour of duty for nine years. In 1999 when he returned to the United States, he was assigned as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on the south side of Chicago, where he served up until December of 2011. Visitation on Tuesday, February 28 from 2-9pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church 3200 E. 91st Street, Chicago, IL 60617 with a prayer service at 8pm. On Wednesday, February 29 viewing at 9:00a.m. until time of Mass of the Resurrection at 9:30 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery Hillside, IL. Elmwood Chapel Chicago, IL in charge of arrangement. 773-731-2749. www.elmwoodchapel.com