0 Years at Nativity Cathedral, 28 years experience in field.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1941, he grew up in Pascagoula. Father McGrath studied at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community
College, University of Southern Mississippi, Southern Illinois University, the Oblate School of Theology and Assumption Seminary.

Before ordination, he served briefly at St. John the Evangelist, Gulfport. Father McGrath became a deacon in April 1982. He
was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Biloxi on May 22, 1982, at our Lady of Victories, Pascagoula.

His first assignment was as associate pastor at Gulfport’s St. John the Evangelist Parish. Beginning in 1985, he was temporary
administrator of the Newman Center at USM, Hattiesburg, and was temporary administrator of Sacred Heart, Dedeaux, in 1986. He has served on the Diocesan Vocations Committee and on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council.
Father McGrath studied for his degree in canon law at St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. He was appointed vice chancellor and judicial vicar to the Diocesan Tribunal on June 1, 1989, and became pastor of Biloxi’s St. Louis Parish on that date. In 1997 he became pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Vancleave, and Christ the King Mission, Latimer. While working at the Diocesan Tribunal, Father McGrath was again appointed judicial vicar in July 2001. He was named in 2002 as to a five-year term as Special Delegate for Granting Dispensations and Permissions. Father McGrath has also been a high school administrator.