December 4, 1979
Father Joseph Goracy
Father Goracy was born in Cologne, Germany, on November 1, 1908. After studying at the American College at the University of Louvain, he was ordained for the Diocese of Wichita on July 4, 1937. He served as an assistant in Colwich and as an instructor at Sacred Heart College; chaplain for the Sisters of the Precious Blood; and administrator of Resurrection Chapel in Planeview before attending Catholic University in Washington, DC from 1943 – 1946 to earn a doctorate in Canon Law. Upon his return to the diocese he was appointed chancellor and officialis. In 1948 he went to Pilsen as pastor for five years and next became chaplain at Mt. Carmel Academy for five years. Later assignments were as pastor in St. Mark, director of retreats at the Paraclete Retreat House in Wichita, teacher at Sacred Heart College, and chaplain at Bishop Carroll High School. Following a leave to teach in western Kansas he lived at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wichita until his death on December 4, 1979. Msgr. Charles Walsh, the vicar general, was principal celebrant and homilist at his funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wichita. Father Goracy was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Wichita.