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November 17, 2022Father Francis Sullivan, C.Ss.R., of the St. John Neumann community at Stella Maris, Timonium, MD, died on November 17, 2022, age 88 and seven months. Fr. Frank is survived by his brother-in-law, Richard T. Griffin, of Reading; his 17 devoted nieces and nephews; his 42 grandnieces and grandnephews; his Redemptorist confreres; and many friends from his life and ministry. Fr. Sullivan is predeceased by his parents, Joseph F., and Helen M. Sullivan, and his six siblings: Catherine M. Sullivan, Helen T. Collins, Joseph F. Sullivan, Jr., Brother James L. Sullivan, CFX, Edward H. Sullivan, and Dorothy A. Griffin.
Father Frank, as he was known, was born in Boston on May 5, 1934, to Joseph F. and Helen (Mulhern). He is the uncle of Fr. John Collins, C.Ss.R. Though baptized at Gate of Heaven Church, Boston on May 27, 1934, he was confirmed at the Redemptorist OLPH Mission Church in Boston, where he attended the parochial school. He attended the Redemptorist juvenate at St. Mary’s, North East, PA from 1947 to 1957, and professed temporary vows at St. Mary’s, Ilchester, MD, on August 2, 1954. His final profession was made at Mt. St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, NY, September 2, 1957, where he was also ordained to the priesthood, June 21, 1959. The tirocinium was made at St. Mary’s, Annapolis, between 1960 and 1961.
Father Frank’s first assignment was to the Vice-Province of Campo Grande in Brazil. He served in Bela Vista from 1961 to 1965, Monte Alegre from 1965 to 1967 (where he joined the Mission Band after six months); and Antonina where he was rector from 1967 to 1970.
He was in the US from September 1967 to January 1968, then onto Telemaco Borba where he was rector from 1970 to 1972.
After that, he was in San Antonio, Campo Grande from 1972 to 1975; Ponta Pora from 1975 to 1977; San Antonio, CG from 1977 to 1978; Curitiba III, where he was vicar from 1978 to 1979; Telemaco Borba from 1980 to 1984; Ponta Grossa I from 1984 to 1985; Curitiba from 1985 to 1987; and Campo Grande I from 1987 to 1989. He was assigned briefly to the OLPH Boston community (pro tem) between 1988 and 1993.
In
Brazil, Father Frank became involved in the Cursilho de cristandade movement and developed a large cadre of catechists. Eventually, he became the diocesan director for the Cursilho. He also served as the Vice-Province of Campo Grande’s procurator and was a consultor.
He returned to the United States permanently in 1993, and in August of that year he began a sabbatical that extended to December at the Oblate School of Theology in Texas, with Fr. Andrew Carr. He was assigned to St. Patrick in Enfield, CT from 1994 to 1996; St. Peter’s Philadelphia from 1996 to 1998; and St. Clement, Saratoga Springs from 1998 to 2001. Fr. Frank was in Saratoga from 2001-2006. He would return to the Mission Church, from 2001 to 2019, joining fellow Bostonians John Lavin, Richard Furey, and John Devin, and served as associate pastor there for many years. While at Mission Church, he helped at St. John Chrys
ostom in West Roxbury, MA. Eventually health issues began to affect his ministry and he was assigned to St. John Neumann Residence, Stella Maris, Timonium, MD, December 2, 2019.
Eternal rest grant unto FRANK, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May FRANK's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed thru the mercy of God Rest in Peace. Amen.
Funeral Information for Fr. Frank Sullivan C.Ss.R.:
Monday, November 21, 2022 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Wake and Viewing at Gormley Funeral Home; 2055 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 9 a.m. until 9:45am Viewing at Basilica of OLPH (Mission Church); 1545 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Funeral Liturgy at Basilica of OLPH (Mission Church); 1545 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120
Burial to follow at Redemptorist Plot at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 366 Cummins Highway; Roslindale, MA 02131
