Feb.
23, 1906 - Aug. 23, 2008SOUTH BEND - Rev. Walter L. McInerney, C.S.C., passed away on August 23, 2008, in Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, IN. He was 102 years old. Fr. McInerney was born on February 23, 1906, in Brighton, MA, to Thomas and Bridget (McCarthy) McInerney. He attended Bennett School and then the Boston High School of Commerce, graduating in 1923. Fr. McInerney attended Boston University from 1923-1924, where he played on the hockey team and then Suffolk University Law School from 1925-1926. He left school to work for Lever Brothers and was sent to Dayton, OH, and Syracuse, NY, where he lived. During his time in Dayton he wondered for what purpose God had put him on this earth. In the spring of 1928, he was at home when Fathers James French and Thomas Kearney preached a mission at his home parish. Young Walter attended and it changed his life. The two priests were from the Holy Cross Mission Band out of Notre Dame. At their urging he came to Holy Cross Seminary in August 1928 for classes in Latin and Greek. He entered St. Joseph Novitiate at Notre Dame in July 1928 and made first vows in Holy Cross July 7, 1929. Fr. McInerney then moved next door to Moreau Seminary and attended classes at Notre Dame, earning a degree in 1932. That summer he moved to Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C., for the study of theology. On June 24, 1936, Fr. Walt was ordained to the priesthood in Sacred Heart Church on the campus of Notre Dame. A gifted preacher and deeply spiritual man, he was assigned to the Holy Cross Mission Band at Notre Dame for the first year. He was also a participant in the School of Oratory established at Catholic University for preachers and retreat masters. Fr. McInerney was giving a retreat in Paterson, NJ, when the German Zeppelin, the Hindenburg, blew up. He later said: "I was preaching on death that night. If I had known ahead of time, I could have used the material." A year later he operated out of the Mission Band centered in North Easton, MA. Fr. McInerney is the last of the Holy Cross men who negotiated the purchase of the Ames Estate in North Easton, MA. Stonehill College presently sits on its 550 acres. In 1940 Fr McInerney was assigned to Notre Dame where he taught religion and served as prefect in residence halls. In 1944 he began 11 years of service at Holy Cross Parish before returning to the Mission Band at Notre Dame in 1955. For the next 17 years, Fr. McInerney worked on the Mission Band, preaching retreats in parishes across the country. In addition to preaching missions, he was also assistant superior of the Mission House from 1964-1969. He moved back to North Easton, MA, in 1969 still preaching missions and retreats. In 1984 his doctor told him to retire from giving retreats and missions. He moved to Holy Cross House in 2003. A gifted singer, Fr. McInerney was a member of the Moreau Choir that sang at Knute Rockne's funeral. In his day, he was often called the best retreat master in America. He had a booming voice that would fill a cathedral without yelling. Fr. McInerney delivered all of his conferences without notes, claiming the Holy Spirit was his inspiration and guide. Fr. McInerney was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. and Bridget (McCarthy) McInerney, and by his brothers and sisters. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing for Fr. McInerney will be held in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, University of Notre Dame, on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, from 3:30 to 9:00 p.m., with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of The Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Wednesday, August 27, at 9:30 a.m. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions to support the mission and ministries of the Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, may be made to: Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, Office of Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556.