A memorial Mass was celebrated Aug. 18 at St. Alphonsus Liguori (Rock) Church in North St. Louis for Jim McGinnis, who for nearly 40 years was an advocate and educator for peace and justice. McGinnis, 66, died from a heart attack Aug. 13 near his home in St. Louis.
McGinnis founded the Institute for Peace and Justice in St. Louis to demonstrate and teach in nonviolence programs across the country.
One of the programs supported by the Institute was Parenting for Peace and Justice and it became rich leaven for many families, with young children, that wanted to live by Christian values. Jim and his wife, Kathy, have been heroic advocates for Catholic values and Jim will be missed by many, including this parent.