Frank McCann, CSJP-A (1952-2024)
Frank McCann was born on April 24, 1952, to Frank and Bebe McCann in the Bronx, New York. He and his eight siblings were raised in Bergenfield, New Jersey. Frank graduated from Bergen Catholic High School in 1970. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from Seton Hall University and a Master of Arts in Theology from Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, New Jersey. He completed courses in nonviolence with Pace e Bene and the Metta Center for Nonviolence.
Anyone who knew Frank understood that family was the center of his life. In 1972, while volunteering at Camp Fatima of New Jersey, Frank met Eileen Croker whom he married in 1978. The couple had three children and nine grandchildren. A few years ago, they moved closer to their grandchildren to play an active role in their daily lives. Many of us fondly remember when he and Eileen made their lasting covenants as associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, and their young grandson proudly proclaimed his love for his "Pop Pop" from the pews.
Frank extended his love of family to the Congregation and indeed to our wounded, weary world. As he wrote last year in NewsNotes: "Those of us who live by faith (and by reason) ought to understand the deeper truth, that we are eight billion people of various cultures, languages, skin colors, etc. who share one common home, which just happens to be in peril. We are one family."
Frank first met the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1979 at St. Elizabeth's Parish in Wyckoff, New Jersey, where he and Eileen volunteered to help organize parish human concerns ministries in their deanery under the leadership of Sister Suzanne Golas, CSJP. Eileen became an associate in 2005, and Frank followed in 2006. They made their lasting covenant together in March 2016.
Since 2013 Frank had served as the Congregation Peace through Justice Facilitator, which he saw "as a way to live my Gospel call and that allows me to assist others in living theirs." He brought a wealth of experience to this role, enabling him to educate, empower, and accompany sisters and associates as they lived into the Chapter Calls of growing in nonviolence, caring for creation, radical hospitality, and the intentional living of inclusion. Frank embodied the call to collaboration and greatly expanded the reach of our charism of Peace through Justice through his active participation and leadership in a wide network of partner organizations at the United Nations, in shareholder advocacy, and peace and justice work.
He previously served as Director of Education and Public Policy for Family Promise where he developed, managed and marketed Just Neighbors, a poverty awareness curriculum. Frank was a board member of IRATE and First Friends. For many years, he visited immigrants held in detention at the Bergen County jail. He and Eileen also welcomed refugees into their home as they began their lives anew in the United States.
Frank was committed to living our charism fully in his life and inspired others to do likewise. He supported the creation of the Peace House of Hospitality at Grand Street, spent significant time in the refugee camp in Calais, France, and was a presence to migrants on the border between the United States and Mexico. His leadership was instrumental to the Congregation’s commitment and ongoing response to the Laudato Si' Action Platform.
After many health complications, Frank McCann went home to God on December 23, 2024, surrounded by his family. A mass of Christian Burial was held on December 28, 2024, at St. Michael Villa, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, followed by internment.
Frank is survived by his wife Eileen, his children Clare, Tim, and Katie, his grandchildren, two sisters, and three brothers. He is predeceased by his parents and three brothers.
We are grateful for the path that Frank walked faithfully in his life. We give thanks for the witness of Franks' life to God’s love – with his family, our community, God's people in need, and Earth herself, our common home. Frank now knows the depth and height and width of God's love. Truly we have a strong advocate in heaven.