Retired Oak Lawn priest Auer dies

The Rev. Joseph E. Auer, retired priest and former associate pastor at St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn, died Dec. 14 at age 89, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Thursday.

Auer was born May 6, 1931, in Pittsburgh. He attended St. Edmund Catholic School in Oak Park, Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, according to a news release.

Auer was ordained May 3, 1957, by Cardinal Samuel Stritch, and celebrated his first solemn Mass at St. Edmund Catholic Church in Oak Park, the archdiocese said.

Auer was assistant pastor of St. Thomas More Parish on California Avenue, St. Angela Parish on Potomac Street, Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Evergreen Park and St. Bridget Parish on Archer Avenue, according to the release. He was also assigned as pastor at St. Catherine Laboure Parish in Glenview and as associate pastor at St. Ferdinand Parish on Barry Avenue, Queen of the Universe Parish on Hamlin Avenue, St. Theresa Parish in Palatine and St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn, where he served until retirement.

The Rev. William J. Finnegan, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of the Woods, said he will miss his classmate with whom he was blessed to live at the Bishop Timothy Lyne Residence for the last three years, the release said.

“Joe was always a very friendly parish priest. He loved being with people and he dedicated his life to that end,” Finnegan was quoted by the archdiocese.

“He had a wonderful smile and was very humble and gentle.”