Date of death: 4/22/2024
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1970
Former Pastor of St. Dennis Catholic Church, Lockport, IL, passed away peacefully at St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville, IL, under the care of Angels Grace Hospice on Monday, April 22, 2024, he was 80 years old. Born in Chicago, on October 7, 1943, on The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, raised in Beverly, lived in Morris, Downers Grove, Naperville, Coal City, Lockport, and a resident of St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville since 2023. Fr. Curtin attended St. Barnabas Parish grade school in Beverly, joined Marion Abbey and attended Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana for High School and College. He continued his graduate studies at Illinois Benedictine University, Lisle, and St. Meinrad School of Theology with a Master of Divinity degree in 1969. He was ordained May 10,1969, by Bishop Arthur O’Neill in Aurora. Fr. Jim continued his work and monastic life at Marion until 1977, then applied to and joined the Diocese of Joliet in 1977. He served as Associate Pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish, Morris, and St. Joseph Parish, Downers Grove. He was incardinated in the Diocese of Joliet on October 30, 1980. He was named founding Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Naperville, in 1984 until 1994 and took a leave of absence, returning to ministry in 1996 serving as Associate Pastor at Assumption Parish, Coal City. He was appointed Pastor of St. Dennis Parish, Lockport in 1997 until his retirement on May 22, 2020. In addition to his pastoral duties, Fr. Jim loved and was deeply involved in the Joliet Marriage Encounter for many years and the Catholic Charismatic Movement as well, touching the lives of many couples and individuals in the renewal of their marriages and spiritual lives. His vocation was the Priesthood. He started a healing team in 2003, he wanted to bring emotional, physical, and spiritual healing to the parishioners of St. Dennis Church in Lockport, IL. In his free time, you could find him on the golf course or on the beach in Indiana with family and friends.
Preceded in death by his beloved parents, Howard Sr., and Lillian (nee Zeller) Curtin; and his older brother, David Curtin.
Survived by his loving and devoted siblings, Howard James Curtin Jr, George Joseph Curtin, Mary Patricia Curtin, and Mary Joan Curtin; nieces, nephews, all his dear friends, and former parishioners whom he loved dearly.