Mike was born in Kansas City, MO, to Matthew and Josephine (Donovan) Gillgannon, the youngest of nine children, four of whom became priests or religious. He attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School, St. John’s Seminary High School and Kenrick Seminary College and Theologate. On March 22, 1958, Mike was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. He served as Associate Pastor of St. Ann’s Parish, Independence, Holy Cross Parish, Kansas City, Sacred Heart Parish, Warrensburg, and as Catholic Campus Minister (Newman Chaplain) to Central Missouri State College and University of Missouri Kansas City.
In 1974, Fr. Mike volunteered to go to Bolivia, SA, as a missionary priest and he joyously dedicated his life to that ministry for 32 years. There he served as pastor, university chaplain and diocesan director of pastoral ministry and of campus ministry. Fr. Mike’s memoir, “Padre Miguel,” is available from Amazon.
Fr. Mike retired in 2006, and returned to Kansas City where he continued to actively minister to the Spanish-speaking communities. He leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews as well as many dear friends in both the United States and Bolivia.
A visitation for Fr. Michael will be held Monday, June 27, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Sabina Catholic Church, 700 Trevis Ave, Belton, MO 64012. Mass of Christian Burial will occur following the visitation starting at 10:30 AM. A committal service will occur Monday, June 27, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Mt Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64138. Mass will be livestreamed at stsabinaparish.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilleySheil.com for the Gillgannon family.
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