Reverend Kenneth Grass, CM
1929-2007

Father Kenneth Grass, CM, was born in Perryville, Missouri, on May 27, 1929. He entered the Congregation of the Mission in 1947 and was ordained a priest in 1956 at St. Mary’s of the Barrens.

In his years of priestly service, Fr. Grass was assigned almost equally to both parochial and educational apostolates. He taught at various seminaries throughout the western region of the United States: St. John’s Seminary in San Antonio Texas (1956-1963); as Novice Director in Santa Barbara, California (1969-72); and St. Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville, Missouri (1972-73).

As a parish priest, he served as associate pastor at St. Catherine Laboure Parish in Sappington (1973-1981), St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Perryville (1981-84), as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau (1965-92) and St. Vincent de Paul Parish in St. Louis (1993-94). In 1994, Fr. Grass retired from active ministry and was assigned to St. Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville, where he spent his remaining years as a senior priest in residence.

Fr. Grass was also a lifelong student. In addition to his seminary studies, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio (1961), and another Master of Arts degree in Systematic Theology from Regis College in Toronto (1985).

Father Pat McDevitt, CM, remembers Fr. Grass as his first pastor and superior after ordination to the priesthood. “Kenny (as everyone in the community called him) had a great ability for collaborating with confreres across generational lines. I remember him as a man who loved people and loved parish life. I also remember that he had a playful sense of humor. He never stopped being a novice master. By that I mean he was a mentor and guide to me as a young priest. He was never overbearing or intrusive. If we had differences of opinion, he was always willing to talk them through. He was always a kind man,” said Fr. McDevitt.

Father Grass died suddenly of an apparent heart attack on August 9, 2007. His funeral was celebrated on August 13, 2007, at the Church of the Assumption at St. Mary’s of the Barrens.  Burial was at the community cemetery there.  

Fr. Grass is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Dot Feltman, Mrs. Dee Phillips and Mrs. Bert Jerome, as well as a niece and friends.