November 24, 1936
Msgr. B. J. McKernan
Msgr. McKernan was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 24, 1863. He received his education in Ireland and prepared for the priesthood at All Hallow’s College in Dublin where he was ordained for the Diocese of Leavenworth on June 24, 1886. After arriving in Kansas he was assigned briefly to Assumption Parish in Topeka and then to Winfield with its many missions for twelve years. After serving in Fort Scott from 1898 to 1915 he received his last pastoral assignment to St. Patrick’s Parish in Parsons. During his priesthood he was a diocesan consultor, the Dean of the Parsons Deanery, and was made a monsignor in 1931. “Msgr. McKernan was privileged to spend fifty years of his life in the sacred priesthood, he made these years fruitful years, and won the esteem of his brother priests and laity.” (The Catholic Advance, Nov. 26, 1936) He was taken to Mercy Hospital in Parsons on November 21 and died on November 24, 1936. Bishop Schwertner celebrated his funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Parish in Parsons and Bishop Tihen preached the sermon.