The Funeral Mass will take place tomorrow (Wed., Jan. 5) at the Cathedral at 11am with Bishop David P. Talley as the Celebrant and Fr. John Kirk, brother of Msgr. Kirk, as the Homilist. The Mass will be live-streamed from the Cathedral’s Facebook page. The Burial will follow the Mass at our Historic Calvary Catholic, Cemetery, 1663 Elvis Presley Blvd., with a Reception after the Burial at the Cathedral.

Also, a Memorial Mass for Msgr. Kirk will take place this Saturday, Jan. 8, at our St. Mary Catholic Church in Jackson, Tenn., at 11am, with Fr. Al Kirk as the Celebrant and Homilist and Fr. David Graham as a Concelebrant with other Priests from our Memphis Diocese. A Rosary will be said before the Mass starting at 10:30am. The Mass will be live-streamed from St. Mary’s Facebook page.

The following information on Msgr. Kirk was taking from the Knoxville News Sentinel’s Obituary section.

Monsignor Thomas D. Kirk, age 78, of Memphis, Tenn., died on December 22, 2021, in his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.

Fr. Kirk was the Parish Priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Memphis for 52 years. He was a graduate of Knoxville Catholic High, Class of 1961 before completing his seminary at St. Bernard’s of Cullman, Ala., and St Mary’s of Baltimore, Md. He was ordained by the Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville in 1969. After his ordination, Fr. Kirk requested to be sent to St. Theresa the Little Flower in Memphis during the civil rights movement to bring calm to the city and a place of peace. He also served at St. Joseph, Sacred Heart, Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, St. Mary-Savannah and St. Mary-Jackson. Thomas also served as Bishop Liason of Ecumenical Relations and, most recently, as Chaplain of Memphis Catholic High School.

Msgr. Kirk’s dedication to the people was unmatched and he served the community in various capacities, helping establish schools and programs throughout the city. He also traveled extensively and his impact was felt abroad as well. He leaves a legacy of love and light and will be remembered for his dedicated faith to the Lord and the parishes and people he served.

Msgr. Kirk was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen L. and Anna Mae Billington Kirk; sister, Mary Kirk Bassett Montgomery and nephew, Ambrose Bassett. He is survived and will be deeply missed by his brothers Stephen L. Kirk. Jr. (Gerry), Joseph Billington Kirk (Helen), Father John L. Kirk, Philip Anthony Kirk (Suzanne); sisters, Anne Gallegos (Eloy), Joan Lyttle (Russ); 30 nieces and nephews; and other extended family and friends.

Online condolences may be made at: https://www.rosefuneraltn.com/…/Monseigneur-Thomas-Kirk/.