BRIDGEPORT—Monsignor Frank C. McGrath, passed away in Naples, Fla., on Saturday, June 10, 2023 after a brief illness. He was 78 years of age.
“Monsignor McGrath ministered faithfully to the people of the diocese in many settings as a pastor, a leader of Charismatic Renewal, and a chaplain who had a particular devotion to providing spiritual support to the men and women of the fire service in our area. He will be much missed and long remembered by many. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Monsignor McGrath and for the consolation of his family,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.
Francis Charles McGrath was born in New Britain, Conn., on July 20, 1944, son of Francis Joseph and Marion McGuire McGrath. He was baptized August 14, 1944, at St. Joseph Church in New Britain. He made his First Holy Communion and received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. James Parish in Stratford.
He attended Notre Dame High School in Fairfield and Fairfield University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Monsignor McGrath received his priestly formation at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Conn. (Philosophy), and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, from which he received an M.Div. .
He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Bridgeport by Bishop Walter W. Curtis at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport on May 9, 1970.
Following his ordination, his first assignment was as Assistant of St. Augustine Cathedral. (1978-1983). In June of 1974, Monsignor McGrath was appointed Diocesan Director of the Charismatic Renewal and Spiritual Director of Cathedral Girls High School while remaining in residence as St. Augustine Rectory. In September of 1976, he was transferred to St. Cecilia Parish in Stamford while continuing to serve as Diocesan Director of the Charismatic Renewal.
The following year, Bishop Curtis granted Monsignor McGrath a leave of absence to serve as chaplain to the International Charismatic Renewal in Brussels, Belgium, an organization founded in response to a request from Cardinal Suenens to bring the Charismatic Renewal to Europe. In 1980, this team moved to Ann Arbor Mich., where he served at the Word of God Community and was the first pastor of Christ the King Catholic Center. This parish has produced over 75 vocations to the priesthood and many vocations to consecrated life.
In 1993, Monsignor McGrath returned to the Diocese of Bridgeport, where he was appointed as pastor of the Assumption Parish in Westport. In 1994, he was appointed as Spiritual Advisor to the Charismatic Renewal Services of the Diocese of Bridgeport while continuing to serve as pastor of Assumption.
In 1999, he was name Director of Clergy Personnel with residence at Our Lady of Peace Rectory in Stratford. While working in this job, he took temporary administration of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield. His next assignment, while once again continuing in Clergy Personnel, was as pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Stratford in 2005. He began his last pastorate at St. John Parish in Darien in 2006.
In 2014, Thomas Monahan, Chairman and Founder of Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Fla., invited Msgr. McGrath to serve as the Chaplain of the School. Bishop Frank Caggiano agreed to this request and in September of that year, Monsignor McGrath began his work in Florida, which he continued through his passing this week.
In 2007, Monsignor McGrath received the great honor of being named Chaplain to His Holiness.
Monsignor McGrath had a particular devotion to providing spiritual support to the men and women of the fire service. He served as chaplain to the Westport Fire Department, the Noroton Fire Department and Rescue 1 in New York City. He spent many hours providing spiritual consolation to those working on the Pile after the collapse of the Twin Towers in 2001.
Monsignor McGrath’s body will be received at Saint Matthew Church located at 216 Scribner Avenue in Norwalk on Monday, June 19 at 3:00 pm. and will lie in repose until 7:00 pm. At 7:00 pm, Mass will be celebrated for the repose of Monsignor McGrath’s soul. The principal celebrant will be Monsignor Robert Kinnally, Vicar General. Bishop Frank Caggiano will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Tuesday, June 20 at 11:00 am. Interment will be the Priests’ Circle of Saint John Cemetery in Norwalk.