Msgr. Hugh Corrigan is the spiritual father of St. Mary's as we know it today. He is present even to those who never met him. The rectory and convent gardens, parishioners' reminiscences and the welcoming spirit of St. Mary's community are his living legacy.
He had an opportunity that few pastors today will get: to lay a foundation for a parish's future. Msgr. Corrigan served St. Mary's for a total of 31 years, 26 as Pastor and 5 more as Administrator. He saw a lot of history in that time, writ large as world and national events and in fine detail through the lives of his parishioners.
He shared this history in his book, The Parish of St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, Yonkers, 1848-2016". He has a an easy, flowing style and produced a work that is a both historical document and a good story.
He was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery on September 25, 2025. The photo above was taken by Bob Lynn, who placed the palm cross on his grave during a St. Patrick's Day visit. Bob grew up in the parish, graduated from St. Mary's school and still drives in from Pennsylvania to pay respect and tend the graves of loved ones in St. Mary's cemetery.
That is the spirit of St. Mary's. Let us pray that this parish will have the future Msg. Corrigan envisioned.
A sample of his writing: A New York's priest's memories of an historic event in the civil rights struggle
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